Greg R. Yates

Partner

• gyates@steptoe.com
• vCard
• New York Office

Greg Yates is a partner in the New York and Washington offices of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he is a member of both the Business Solutions and Litigation Departments. He is a trusted advisor to financial institutions as well as to non-institutional lenders and investors. Mr. Yates’ national practice is concentrated in the area of debtor/creditor relations, including workouts, restructurings, and bankruptcy. A key focus of his practice is advising clients on creative solutions to distressed commercial real estate transactions and, if necessary, litigation relating to those transactions.

Mr. Yates provides clients with strategic advice, due diligence and analysis of business and legal issues. He negotiates, structures, documents and closes many types of transactions involving distressed projects and litigates disputes relating to those projects. He also devises innovative strategies for the resolution of distressed commercial real estate. In addition, he provides clients with guidance on acquisitions and divestitures of commercial mortgages, real estate and other assets.   

Mr. Yates’ diverse legal and business experience give him the ability to provide real world advice. He has developed an extensive network of related professionals across the country including investors, lenders, asset managers, real estate service providers (property managers, environmental and valuation experts, title companies, and auctioneers) that can provide assistance when required.   

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Yates served as senior counsel to an investment bank focusing on the purchase, resolution and sale of commercial mortgages and real estate. In that capacity, Mr. Yates profitably managed hundreds of commercial real estate workouts, restructurings, foreclosures and bankruptcies. Mr. Yates clerked for two years with the Chief Bankruptcy Judge in the Southern District of New York. He has also worked in the real estate department of a major oil company, been a business consultant and taught real estate and finance at several universities.

Select News & Events

• Steptoe Launches Subprime Lending Litigation Team
• Greg Yates Speaks at 2007 Turnaround Management & Distressed Investing Forum, February 6, 2007
• Bankruptcy Act Implications Teleconference, June 29, 2005, The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005: Major Implications for Commercial Debtor/Creditor Relations (A Steptoe-Sponsored Event)

Publications

• Bankruptcy filings are shooting up
  September 3, 2007

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association, Co-Chair, Bankruptcy Subcommittee, Commercial & Business Litigation Committee, ABA Section of Litigation
• American Bankruptcy Institute, Membership Director, Asset Sales Committee