Overview
Jeffrey M. Reisner, global co-chair of Steptoe's Restructuring & Insolvency practice, advises clients on corporate, litigation, and reorganization and bankruptcy matters. Drawing on nearly 30 years of restructuring experience, Jeff represents formal and informal creditors' committees, debtors, acquirers of assets, investors, independent directors, boards of directors, trustees, lenders and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy cases and out-of-court restructurings throughout the United States.
Jeff also advises clients in the acquisition and disposition of assets from healthy and troubled companies in both traditional sales and auctions. These transactions have involved clients in a wide range of industries, including aerospace and defense, energy, entertainment, financial services, healthcare, real estate, restaurant and hospitality, sporting goods, telecommunications, and transportation.
In addition to representing clients in transactional matters, Jeff frequently advises corporate boards in connection with internal investigations related to alleged sexual misconduct, corporate and financial malfeasance, and other topics. He also counsels senior executives in connection with their employment and separation agreements and related matters.
Jeff also represents clients in defense of lender liability, avoidance actions, breach of fiduciary duty and other claims in state and federal courts throughout the country.
- California
- New York
- District of Columbia
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Eastern District of California
- US District Court, Northern District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- J.D., New York University, 1989
- M.B.A., New York University, 1989
- B.S., Cornell University, 1985
Representative Matters
- Represented Eddystone in connection with the bankruptcy of Ferrellgas. Secured an exemption from any effect of the Ferrellgas bankruptcy which played a significant part in making the subsequent litigation verdict collectable.
- Represented Prime Healthcare in the acquisition of St. Francis Hospital from Verity Health System during Verity's Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
- Represented a limited liability company and trusts in defense of a third-party creditor’s suit and related arbitrations. The case settled favorably and confidentially on the eve of trial.
- Represented GenOn with respect to $2 billion in claims against its subsidiary.
- Represented home automation technology leader SmartLabs Inc. in connection with a new majority equity investment and recapitalization.
- Represented homebuilder William Lyon Homes in its successful prepackaged bankruptcy case.
- Represented the Orexigen Official Creditors' Committee in its Delaware bankruptcy case.
- Represented the co-chair of the PG&E Unsecured Creditors' Committee.
- Represented Britt Private Capital LLC and Jupiter Investors LLC in their acquisition of Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading franchisor of pizza restaurants, with over 180 operating units primarily in Northern and central California.
- Represented SJB Brands LLC in connection with its acquisition of the "Juice It Up" franchise system, which consists of over 85 franchised and licensed units operated by third-party franchisees.
- Represented Bahamas-based private investment organization Tavistock Group and its equity holders in the reorganization and subsequent sale of Simply Self Storage to Brookfield Asset Management, a public company specializing in real estate-related investments.
Speaking Engagements
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"Nonprofit Opportunities in Difficult Times: Understanding Mergers, Acquisitions, Combinations, Bankruptcies and Other Solutions to Distress," New York State Bar Association's 2021 Annual Meeting, January 19, 2021
- "Tips and Strategies in Distressed Asset Acquisitions," Expert Webcast, August 6, 2020
- "Good Will Hunting and Other Timely Commercial Law Issues in Bankruptcy," American Bankruptcy Institute's 24th Annual Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference, January 2019
- "Rounding Up the Unusual Suspects: Bankruptcy for Nontraditional Debtor Entities," American Bankruptcy Conference's 23rd Annual Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference, January 2018
- "Exit Options and Issues," Nuts & Bolts: Workout and Restructuring of Commercial Loans, Syndicated Credit Facilities, and Secured and Unsecured Notes, Financial Lawyers Conference, October 2017
- "Sub-Par Performers: Restructuring Challenges in the Golf Course Industry," American Bankruptcy Institute's 25th Annual Southwest Bankruptcy Conference, September 2017
- "Plotting the Course: What the Future Holds for Insolvency Professionals," California Bankruptcy Forum's 29th Annual Insolvency Conference, May 2017
- Moderator, "D&O Policies, Property of the Estate, and Case Administration," American Bankruptcy Institute's Southwest Bankruptcy Conference, 2016
News & Publications
Press Releases
May 9, 2025
Client Alerts
Wave of Defaults Expected as Main Street Lending Program Loans Come Due
February 11, 2025
Press Releases
Steptoe Expands Restructuring and Insolvency Team with Addition of Partner Tim Walsh
September 5, 2024
Client Alerts
Proposed Legislation Targets "Texas Two-Step" Bankruptcy Tactic
August 2, 2024
By: Jeffrey M. Reisner, Joshua R. Taylor, Matt Carmody, Matt Carmody
Client Alerts
US Bankruptcy Court Sets Precedent in Valuing Cryptocurrency Claims
July 15, 2024
By: Jeffrey M. Reisner, Matt Carmody, Matt Carmody
Client Alerts
US Supreme Court Strikes Down the Validity of Nonconsensual Third-Party Releases in Chapter 11 Plan
June 27, 2024
By: Jeffrey M. Reisner, Joshua R. Taylor, Kerri A. Lyman, Brendan Hammond
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 25 Practice, 72 Individual Mentions in Chambers USA 2023
June 1, 2023
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 27 Practice, 72 Individual Mentions in Chambers USA 2022
June 3, 2022
Resources
Events
Webinars
Real Estate Workouts: Investors
September 24, 2024
Speakers: Lauren Azebu, Sabina Jacobs Margot, Jeffrey M. Reisner
Webinars
Real Estate Workouts: Borrower and Lender Issues
June 26, 2024
Speakers: Lauren Azebu, Sabina Jacobs Margot, Jeffrey M. Reisner
Webinars
What’s Happening in the World of Bankruptcy
February 3, 2022
Speakers: Jeffrey M. Reisner, Joshua R. Taylor
Webinars
Distressed Asset Acquisitions: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions
September 29, 2020
Speakers: Scott D. Fisher, Jeffrey M. Reisner
Webinars
Bankruptcy 101: End of the Road or an Opportunity to Restructure?
July 21, 2020
Speaker: Jeffrey M. Reisner
Noteworthy
- Los Angeles Magazine, Southern California, "Top 100" (2023)
- The American Registry, Southern California, "Top Attorney" (2023)
- Super Lawyers, Southern California, Bankruptcy (2004-2021)
- Super Lawyers, Orange County, "Top 50" (2015-2019)
- Super Lawyers, Southern California, "Top 100" (2019-2025)
- Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, California (2006-2024)
- Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation (2010-2023)
- Best Lawyers in America, Orange County, "Lawyer of the Year," Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2013, 2019)
- M&A Advisor's, Turnaround Award, Healthcare/Life Sciences Deal of the Year (2014, 2018)
Professional Affiliations
- Board of Directors, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Board of Directors, Orange County Chapter, Association for Corporate Growth
- Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy Lawyers
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- Member, United Way Tocqueville Society and Real Estate Community Builders
- Past President, Southern California Chapter, New York University Stern School of Business Alumni Association
- Former board member, Southern California Chapter, Turnaround Management Association