Focuses on large, complex corporate restructurings, both out-of-court and in chapter 11.
Involved in some of the largest restructurings in U.S. history.

Ira represents official committees, ad hoc groups of unsecured and secured creditors, debtor in possession lenders, institutional investors, hedge funds and acquirers of businesses and assets. His restructuring matters encompass a variety of industries and involve multijurisdictional and cross-border matters.

Ira received his J.D. in 1992 from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he was a member of the Cardozo Law Review. He received his B.A. magna cum laude in history from Brandeis University.

Ira is a frequent lecturer at leading high-yield conferences and restructuring seminars. He is involved in community and charitable activities and has received recognition for his accomplishments in this area. He currently chairs the Board of Overseers of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Representative Work

Diamond Sports Group: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Diamond Sports Group and its affiliates, an operator of regional sports broadcast networks for more than 40 teams across Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association, involving more than $8 billion in liabilities.
SVB: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 case of SVB Financial Group, the former parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, involving more than $3.4 billion in liabilities.
GTT: Counsel to GTT Communications and its affiliates, operator of one of the largest Tier 1 internet networks in the world, in their chapter 11 cases involving $4.5 billion in liabilities. Successful Restructurings of the Year (Turnarounds & Workouts)
Avaya: Counsel to an ad hoc group of first lien lenders in negotiations related to the prepackaged chapter 11 cases of Avaya and its affiliates, a multinational cloud communications and collaboration services company, involving $4 billion in liabilities. Successful Restructurings of the Year (Turnarounds & Workouts)
Talen Energy: Counsel to an ad hoc group of first lien creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Talen Energy and its affiliates, one of the largest power generation and infrastructure companies in North America, involving $4.455 billion in liabilities. Successful Restructurings of the Year (Turnarounds & Workouts)

Travelport: Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured term loan lenders in an out-of-court recapitalization of Travelport Worldwide, a provider of distribution, technology and payment solutions for the travel and tourism industry.
Sears: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Sears and its affiliates, once the largest retailer in the world, involving $5.6 billion in liabilities. Restructuring and Insolvency Deal of the Year (IFLR1000)
FirstEnergy Solutions: Counsel to the debtors in the chapter 11 cases of FirstEnergy Solutions and its subsidiaries, an electric utility that services roughly one million residential, commercial and industrial customers, involving $3.8 billion in liabilities.
Intelsat: Counsel to an ad hoc group of creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Intelsat and its affiliates, one of the largest satellite services providers in the world, involving $14.7 billion in liabilities. Restructuring of the Year - Over $10B (M&A Advisor)
Frontier Communications: Counsel to an ad hoc group of unsecured noteholders in the chapter 11 cases of Frontier Communications and its affiliates, an American telecommunications company, involving $17 billion in liabilities. Telecommunications Services Deal of the Year (M&A Advisor)
Diamond Offshore Drilling: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Diamond Offshore Drilling and its affiliates, a leader in the offshore drilling industry, involving $2.4 billion in liabilities. Successful Restructurings of the Year (Turnarounds & Workouts)
Seadrill: Counsel to an ad hoc group of bondholders and new money investors in the global restructuring of Seadrill Limited and its affiliates, one of the world's largest offshore drilling contractors, involving $17 billion in liabilities. International Company Transaction of the Year (TMA Awards)

"He is a leader in the field. He sees every angle and gets best-in-class results for his clients."

Chambers USA, 2022

Education
J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, 1992
B.A., Brandeis University, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions
New Jersey
New York

Recognitions

Chambers Global, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2013-2024.
Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2008-2024.
Her Justice, Honoree, 2024.
Euromoney Expert Guides, Best of the Best, United States: Restructuring and Insolvency, 2017, 2022.
The American Lawyer, Northeast Trailblazers, 2021.
UJA Federation of New York, Lawyers Division, Honoree, Professor Lawrence P. King Award, Bankruptcy and Reorganization Group, 2020.
The American Lawyer, Dealmaker of the Year, 2020.
The Legal 500 US, Finance: Restructuring (including Bankruptcy): Corporate, 2015-2024; Leading Lawyer, 2019-2024.
Law360, Bankruptcy MVP, 2018.
The Who’s Who Legal, Insolvency & Restructuring, 2016-2021.
Turnaround & Workouts, Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers, 2014.