On the Move

Three prominent bankruptcy attorneys, Janet S. Baer, Roger J. Higgins and Rebecca O. Fruchtman, have announced the formation of Baer Higgins Fruchtman LLC in Chicago. The new firm will focus on large Chapter 11 representations with special emphasis on complicated claims work, post-confirmation matters, counseling creditors and equity holders, and acting as conflicts and committee counsel. It is the first women-owned law firm of its kind in Chicago. Ms. Baer and Mr. Higgins were formerly partners and Ms. Fruchtman, of counsel, in the Restructuring Department of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

SNR Denton has promoted Louis A. Curcio to partner in the firm's Corporate Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice, resident in New York. Prior to joining SNR Denton, Curcio was with the law firm of Thacher Proffitt and Wood.

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC has announced that Stephen F. Chiccarelli will join the firm's Baton Rouge, LA, office as a partner. Joining him is associate Justin W. Stephens. Both were previously with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P.
Chiccarelli has extensive experience in the areas of credit and debtor bankruptcy litigation, general collections litigation and lien law issues as they relate to collection and bankruptcy.

Armstrong Teasdale LLP's Reno, NV, office has expanded its Financial Restructuring, Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice group with the addition of Janet L. Chubb, partner, and Louis M. Bubala III, associate. Chubb focuses on issues of insolvency, workouts, reorganizations and representation of creditors in bankruptcy cases. Only one of two private attorneys practicing in Nevada to be inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy, Chubb currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. She was formerly a stockholder in Nevada firm, Jones Vargas.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP has announced that Bruce Bennett has joined the firm. Partners James Johnston, Sidney Levinson, Bennett Murphy, Joshua Mester, Counsel Joshua Morse, Monika Weiner and three associates, accompanied Bennett. All were previously with Hennigan, Bennett and Dorman LLP. The group will join Dewey & LeBoeuf's Los Angeles office, with the exception of Mr. Morse, who will be in San Francisco. Bennett has been involved in many major corporate reorganization cases and served as lead debtor's counsel in the country's largest municipal bankruptcy, In re County of Orange, California, which commenced following a $1.7 billion loss in County investment pools. Prior to joining Dewey & LeBoeuf, Bennett was a founding partner of Hennigan, Bennett & Dorman and head of that firm's Business Reorganization and Restructuring Department.

Pryor Cashman LLP has announced that Ronald S. Beacher, Michael H. Levison and Conrad K. Chiu have joined the firm's New York office and will practice in the Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Creditors' Rights Group. Beacher, who focuses his practice on creditors' rights, litigation, and commercial and real estate transactional matters, will co-chair the practice group with Richard Levy, Jr. Levison represents creditors in connection with a wide array of commercial disputes, including default-based litigation, foreclosure, workout documentation and loan modification. Chiu practices in the areas of bankruptcy, equipment leasing, and commercial litigation. He represents creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy practice, including litigation, workouts, restructurings, and secured lending. The three attorneys were all previously partners at Day Pitney in New York.

DLA Piper has added five restructuring partners to its Chicago office from Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, including Richard A. Chesley, who founded the Paul Hastings Chicago office in 2006 and served as its managing partner until recently. Joining Chesley as partners are Stacey Kern, Gregory Otsuka, Kimberly Newmarch and Ameer Ahmad. Chesley has served as restructuring counsel for numerous high-profile Chapter 11 proceedings.

Three prominent bankruptcy attorneys, Janet S. Baer, Roger J. Higgins and Rebecca O. Fruchtman, have announced the formation of Baer Higgins Fruchtman LLC in Chicago. The new firm will focus on large Chapter 11 representations with special emphasis on complicated claims work, post-confirmation matters, counseling creditors and equity holders, and acting as conflicts and committee counsel. It is the first women-owned law firm of its kind in Chicago. Ms. Baer and Mr. Higgins were formerly partners and Ms. Fruchtman, of counsel, in the Restructuring Department of Kirkland & Ellis LLP .

SNR Denton has promoted Louis A. Curcio to partner in the firm's Corporate Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice, resident in New York. Prior to joining SNR Denton, Curcio was with the law firm of Thacher Proffitt and Wood.

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC has announced that Stephen F. Chiccarelli will join the firm's Baton Rouge, LA, office as a partner. Joining him is associate Justin W. Stephens. Both were previously with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P.
Chiccarelli has extensive experience in the areas of credit and debtor bankruptcy litigation, general collections litigation and lien law issues as they relate to collection and bankruptcy.

Armstrong Teasdale LLP's Reno, NV, office has expanded its Financial Restructuring, Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice group with the addition of Janet L. Chubb, partner, and Louis M. Bubala III, associate. Chubb focuses on issues of insolvency, workouts, reorganizations and representation of creditors in bankruptcy cases. Only one of two private attorneys practicing in Nevada to be inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy, Chubb currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. She was formerly a stockholder in Nevada firm, Jones Vargas.