Bankruptcy Litigator (Special Counsel or Senior Associate)

Kelley Drye’s Restructuring & Bankruptcy practice is seeking an experienced Bankruptcy Litigator at the Special Counsel or Senior Associate level to join our New York office. The ideal candidate will have approximately 7 or more years of experience in debtor or creditor-side bankruptcy litigation, including (i) contested financing, sale and plan disputes; (ii) managing discovery processes and disputes; (iii) supervising investigation teams; and (iv) handling adversary proceedings and appeals. This is an opportunity for a skilled litigator to take on significant responsibility in high-stakes bankruptcy matters within a supportive, team-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute litigation strategy in collaboration with clients and partners, including fact development, discovery planning, and case theory.

• Draft substantive motion practice, including dispositive motions, briefs on appeal, and other significant pleadings.

• Take and defend depositions, including direct examinations for use at trial, and prepare witnesses for hearings and trial testimony.

• Manage and mentor teams of mid-level and junior associates on matters involving drafting, discovery, legal research, and investigations.

• Serve as lead counsel in bankruptcy litigation matters, including adversary proceedings, contested matters, and appeals in bankruptcy courts and federal district and appellate courts.

• Participate in and manage trial preparation.

• Represent creditors, creditors’ committees, and other parties-in-interest in connection with plan confirmation, claims disputes, avoidance actions, and related proceedings.

• Required Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with a strong academic record.

• Approximately 7+ years of experience in bankruptcy litigation and/or complex commercial litigation at a major law firm.

• Demonstrated experience as lead counsel or second chair on adversary proceedings, contested matters, or bankruptcy-related appeals.

• Substantial trial, deposition, and briefing experience.

• Familiarity with bankruptcy courts, including the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in New York, Delaware, New Jersey and Texas and comfort appearing in federal trial and appellate courts.

• Experience on the debtor side or creditor side of bankruptcy litigation, including matters involving creditors’ committees, lender disputes, plan confirmation, and claims evaluation.

• Proven ability to manage case teams and supervise junior attorneys in all phases of complex litigation.

• Admission to the New York State Bar (required); admission to federal courts in the Southern District of New York, the Second Circuit, or other federal appellate courts strongly preferred.

• Kelley Drye & Warren LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).