Choate, Hall & Stewart

Choate, Hall & Stewart has a background in company restructurings, workouts, insolvency proceedings, and distressed asset and debt acquisitions. The Boston-based firm is particularly noted for lender-side roles in retail bankruptcies, along with its expertise in representing insurers in mass-tort related matters. Company and fiduciary work remains a major part of the practice as well. The firm has a major middle-market private equity practice, providing it with a steady pipeline of engagements when portfolio companies get into financial distress. Set up as a combined finance and restructuring team, it has broad national coverage, despite being solely located in Boston. Sports, real estate, healthcare and technology are also key sectors for the team. Co-chair of the finance and restructuring group John Ventola has a primary focus on creditor roles. Douglas Gooding has a mix of creditor and lender matters, while Kevin Simard is also more creditor focused.