Overview
(May 28, 2026, Chicago) – Steptoe LLP announced today that Kenneth P. Kansa, a highly experienced restructuring and bankruptcy partner with more than twenty-five years in practice, has joined the firm's Chicago office from Barnes & Thornburg LLP.
Ken counsels clients navigating financial distress, complex restructurings, and high-stakes insolvency matters across a wide range of industries. His practice focuses on guiding businesses through both in-court and out-of-court restructurings, helping organizations address immediate financial challenges while best positioning them for long-term stability and growth.
He has extensive experience negotiating and implementing Chapter 11 reorganizations, structuring out-of-court debt solutions, and executing strategic transactions to address legacy and other liabilities with finality. Outside of his company-side representations, Ken has represented numerous asset purchasers, financing providers, and other key stakeholders in restructurings around the world.
In addition, Ken advises both company-side and creditor-side clients on bankruptcy-related real estate, tax, and corporate governance issues. He is a recognized thought leader who frequently speaks at professional organizations and continuing legal education programs on corporate structuring, commercial lease treatment in bankruptcy, and cross-border insolvency developments.
The move is part of a wider strategic focus by Steptoe to build on its strengths in the country's "second city." Ken's arrival follows that of litigators Robert J. Palmersheim, William B. Berndt, Nicholas A. Burandt, and Timothy G. Parilla and the recent arrival of financial regulatory and investigations partner Trace Schmeltz, data privacy partner Christian Auty, and returning Steptoe alumna intellectual property partner Kate Tellez.
"Ken's arrival reflects our deliberate strategy to deepen our capabilities in Chicago and align our platform with the evolving needs of clients facing complex financial challenges," said Chicago office managing partner Rachel Cannon. "We are investing in areas where we see sustained demand for sophisticated, business-oriented counsel at critical moments."
"I was drawn to Steptoe's strong reputation for handling sophisticated matters and the opportunity to work alongside a talented, multidisciplinary team," said Ken. "I'm excited to continue working with my friend and former colleague Trace Schmeltz and to support clients on their most important issues."
Ken earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, his M.A. from Cleveland State University, and his B.A. from George Washington University.
About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients and innovative thinking before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
