Janine Ivanova Wicklund
Former Paul, Weiss Associate, Bankruptcy
Georgetown University Law Center, 2004
“When I came to Paul, Weiss as a summer associate I knew that I was interested in bankruptcy law — the subject had greatly interested me in law school. But I wanted to explore what bankruptcy law was about in the real world. So I spent my summer in the Bankruptcy Department, but made sure I worked on a good number of assignments from other practice areas as well. By the summer’s end, I could see that bankruptcy was an intriguing blend of transactional and litigation work, as well as a fascinating discipline in its own right. For me it’s the best of both worlds.
The work has turned out to be just as challenging and diverse as I’d hoped. Beginning early in my first year at Paul, Weiss, I worked on a matter related to the Enron bankruptcy. We initiated an intense and complex discovery process on behalf of our client, involving in-depth legal and financial analysis of a large number of transactions. As we proceeded I was given more and more responsibility for the case — our department doesn’t hesitate to give responsibility to those who prove that they can handle it. I worked with mid- and senior-level associates and several bankruptcy and litigation partners, turning their analyses into a narrative document about the development of the case with respect to our client’s interests. It was a great challenge and an invaluable experience for me as a young lawyer.
When most people hear the words “bankruptcy law,” they think it’s just about bankrupt companies. But it’s not that simple. There are so many parties involved in bankruptcy cases, from the creditors to the debtors to everyone in between. And the bankruptcy code itself is always changing in response to the political and financial landscapes. Bankruptcy law is an enormously complex discipline, and Paul Weiss's bankruptcy practice reflects this: we represent many different types of clients in a multitude of bankruptcy-related contexts. As a young lawyer, I’m getting exactly the kind of training I’d hoped for — in a stimulating and very collegial environment."
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Bankruptcy & Corporate Reorganization
WHY PAUL, WEISS BANKRUPTCY AND CORPORATE REORGANIZATION?
Are you interested in a unique work experience that requires the application of corporate and litigation skills in a business context? Do you want to work on matters that combine complex legal concepts and high-stakes negotiations with real-life consequences? Bankruptcy work matters in the real world. A successful bankruptcy case often results in the restructuring and rehabilitation of a major company that is in distress, securing jobs for its management and its employees, and helping to stabilize its industry.
Our Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization Department offers lawyers a dynamic and diverse experience. We represent a broad spectrum of clients in major domestic and cross-border restructurings and bankruptcy cases — debtors, creditors' committees, strategic creditors, stockholders, and acquirers of and investors in distressed companies. And as a lawyer in our Bankruptcy Department, you’ll have an opportunity to represent the broadest range of players in high-stakes insolvency matters around the globe.
Our colleagues also turn to us for our distinguished depth and breadth of experience. Bankruptcy law demands a skill set that combines the fundamental aptitudes of both transactional and litigation practices. In the face of complex market and regulatory transformations, our bankruptcy lawyers work seamlessly within teams from many different practice areas. As a Paul, Weiss bankruptcy associate, you’ll be encouraged to develop a variety of skills as you create comprehensive and well-coordinated solutions for businesses and investors worldwide.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Low Associate-to-Partner Ratio: The size of our Bankruptcy Department gives associates many opportunities to work one-on-one with partners and senior lawyers who are very familiar with our associates’ interests.
Diverse Clients: We represent a broad range of clients in domestic and cross-border restructurings and bankruptcy proceedings — debtors, creditors’ committees, strategic creditors, shareholders, and acquirers of and investors in distressed companies.
Sophisticated Multidisciplinary Work: Our bankruptcy practice represents a mix of both corporate and litigation work, allowing lawyers to develop a range of skills across practice areas. Moreover, the sophistication and complexity of our matters requires that we draw upon the full resources of the firm, including litigation, tax, real estate and corporate capabilities. We work closely and collaboratively with these other groups, providing associates with opportunities for an even broader range of experience and the resources to help them find solutions to our clients’ most complex problems.
Headline Cases
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Representing key players in the WorldCom, Inc. and Enron Corp. chapter 11 cases.
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Advising Time Warner Inc. in its $17.6-billion joint acquisition with Comcast Corporation of the assets of bankrupt cable operator Adelphia Communications Corporation.
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Representing California Public Utilities Commission in the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. chapter 11 case.
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Representing Foamex International Inc., the largest manufacturer of flexible polyurethane and advanced foam products, and various of its subsidiaries in its chapter 11 filings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
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Representing the Unofficial Committee of Second-Lien Debtholders in the chapter 11 case of Calpine Corporation, an electric power producer. The second-lien debtholders negotiated protections for their position in connection with the $2 billion of debtor-in-possession financing sought by Calpine.
Industry Recognition
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Dealmaker of the Year, 2004, The American Lawyer
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Many of our partners have been recognized as leading bankruptcy practitioners in New York City and the United States in Chambers USA and other peer review publications.
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