(June 21, 2007, New York City, NY) – Reed Smith LLP, one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, today announced Edward J. Estrada has joined its Commercial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Group as a partner. He will be resident in the firm’s New York City office, effective June 21, bringing the total number of lawyers in the firm’s restructuring practice to more than 45 worldwide.
“Reed Smith is noted for strong client relationships and its support of partners interested in generating business independently,” said Mr. Estrada. “These are important to me at this stage of my career. I believe this is a firm in which my opportunities for success are very promising.”
Mr. Estrada joins Reed Smith from the New York office of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP, which he joined in 2002, where he was an associate. He was previously with Nixon Peabody LLP and Jackson & Campbell, P.C.
"Members of our Commercial Restructuring and Bankruptcy practice have collaborated with Ed for more than a year on a major industrial bankruptcy matter,” said Peter S. Clark, head of Reed Smith’s CRB Group. “We have seen Ed in action and know he brings us the right combination of experience with complex indenture analysis, strong hedge fund and indenture trustee contacts, and a fundamental drive to assist and participate with other Reed Smith partners in developing our commercial restructuring and bankruptcy practice in New York.”
Reed Smith’s Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Group was recently ranked by The Deal as one of the top five most active practices in the US, with more than 200 active cases.
Mr. Estrada’s practice at LeBoeuf included representation of trustees, debtors, secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, as well as subordinated and distressed debtholders in cases aimed at maximizing recoveries. His efforts have included arguing before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on issues of first impression; representation of a foreign pilots' union in a domestic bankruptcy; representation of foreign representatives in a Chapter 15 (section 304) ancillary proceeding; and the protection of a utility company's secured, unsecured and setoff claims.
In addition, Mr. Estrada has represented debtors and creditors in bankruptcy adversary proceedings, including preference and fraudulent transfer actions, and parties in non-bankruptcy state and federal court litigations.
Mr. Estrada earned his J.D. from George Washington University in 1997 and his B.A. from Cornell University in 1994.
"Not only does he bolster our presence in New York and fit in well with the national scope of our bankruptcy practice, he also adds to our sophisticated indenture trustee and bondholder talent pool, which will help us expand our impact now and during the next credit cycle downturn locally and nationwide," said Robert Nicholas, Managing Partner of Reed Smith’s New York office.
Mr. Estrada is the second partner and third lawyer who has joined Reed Smith’s global commercial restructuring and bankruptcy practice this month. On June 1, Jeff Drew, who previously headed the financial restructuring group at Akin Gump’s London Office, joined the group in the firm’s London office. Mr. Drew’s Associate Nuala Barratt joined him in the move, bringing the total number of lawyers in the firm’s global practice to over 45.
With these additions, Reed Smith has increased its global commercial restructuring and bankruptcy practice by more than 20 attorneys in the past two years.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,500 lawyers in 21 offices throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com
U.S.: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Century City, Richmond
Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Birmingham, Greece
Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Dubai