Michael J. Reilly

Special Advisor

Michael J. Reilly has more than 35 years of experience in financial restructurings and turnarounds covering a wide array of industries in the United States, the United Kingdom/Europe, and Latin America. Known for his business acumen, negotiating skills, and pragmatism for solving problems and helping re-launch distressed companies back toward success, he is a highly sought after thought leader and problem solver for troubled situations that require creative solutions and outcomes.

Extended Profile

Michael is one of only a handful of lawyers who have been elected by their national peers as a fellow in both the American College of Bankruptcy and the American College of Investment Counsel. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at industry seminars on workouts, restructurings, turnarounds, and bankruptcy.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Michael was a partner at another international law firm in New York, and its predecessor firm, where he served as co-head of the global financial restructuring practice for 25 years.

selected representations

Major workout and Chapter 11 assignments as lead lawyer for substantial creditor positions have included:

Airlines/Transportation: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, US Airways, Atlas Airlines, Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, Interstate Motor Freight, Purolator Courier

Energy: Various energy and project finance workouts of power plants in coal, gas, hydro and bio-mass. Chapter 11 of Public Service Company of New Hampshire, including nuclear fuel leasing

Financial Services: Lehman Brothers, Allied Capital, American Home Mortgage, Western Union, Penn Square Bank

Healthcare/Retirement Living: US Surgical, Brown Schools, Duncaster Retirement Community, 3030 Park Retirement Living

Leisure/Hospitality/Gaming: Caesars Entertainment, Foxwoods Gaming Casino & Resort, National Amusements, PGA West, Yellowstone Club, Complete Retreats, Bulls Bridge Golf Club, Furr’s/Bishop’s Restaurants, American Hawaii Cruise Lines

Manufacturing: Visteon Secured Creditor Group, Birmingham Steel, Republic Steel, Zenith Electronics, Clima-Chem, Allis Chalmers Corporation, Stokely USA, Thorn Apple Valley, Katy Industries, Tultex InterCo. Inc. (Lane/Broyhill/Florsheim/Converse)

Real Estate: General Growth Properties, Woodside Homes, Washington Group, JF Shea Construction, HealthVest REIT

Retail/Goods & Services: Ace Hardware, The Loewen Group, Rand McNally, Pep Boys, Favorite Brands, Umbro International, Kmart, Montgomery Ward, Bradlees Stores, McCall Pattern Co., Charming Shoppes, Jamesway Stores, Rose’s Stores, Edison Brothers Stores, Gitano Jeans, Health-Tex, Jiffy Lube Transworld Entertainment

Latin America: Comerci (Mexican retailer concurso), Corporacion Durango (Mexican paper company concurso), Grupo Cementos (Mexican cement company workout), Globopar (Brazil media workout), Petrozuata, Grupo Mexico, S.A. de C.V., Cablevision (Argentina), Transportadora de Gas del Norte (TGN) (Argentine natural gas distribution company), Transportadora de Gas del Sur (TGS) (Argentine natural gas distribution company), CTI Interior (Argentine), PYCSA Panama Toll Road

Australia: Griffin Coal, Centro N.P.

Europe: Tanstech (UK), Two French Mandataire Ad Hoc Proceedings (textiles & retail)

Canada: Priszm Foods Canada (Taco Bell/KFC/Pizza Hut Canada)

Education

University of Connecticut School of Law, 1976, J.D.
University of Connecticut, 1973, B.A.

Admissions

Connecticut
New York
New York State Office of the Court
US District Court for the District of Connecticut
US District Court for the Southern District of New York

Awards and Affiliations

INSOL International, G36 Member

Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy

Fellow, American College of Investment Counsel

Recommended, Banking & Finance, Latin America: International Firms, The Legal 500 Latin America (2013, 2022)

Recommended, Capital Markets, Latin America: International Firms, The Legal 500 Latin America (2022, 2023)

Ranked, Bankruptcy and Restructuring, United States, Chambers Global (2016–2018)

Recommended, Corporate Restructuring, The Legal 500 US (2010–2012, 2015–2018)

Ranked, Bankruptcy and Restructuring, New York, Chambers USA (2009–2016)

Recognized, Insolvency and Reorganization, US News –Best Lawyers (2014, 2017)

Recognized, Expert Guides: Guide to the World’s Leading Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyers (2009)

Member, Board of Directors, Tina’s Wish Foundation (Ovarian Cancer Research) (2008–2017)

Member, Board of Directors, Kingswood Oxford School (2008–2017)

Finance Chair, Independent Day School (2014–2017)