OVERVIEW

Aaron Gavant

Partner

Chicago

One N. Wacker Drive
Suite 4400
Chicago, IL 60606-2833

F 312-759-5646

Aaron Gavant understands the challenges his clients and their leaders consistently face in the world of restructuring and bankruptcy, as well as in a range of other special situations including pre- and post-default issues arising in connection with securitizations and other complex capital market transactions.

OVERVIEW
EXPERIENCE
Experience
INSIGHTS AND EVENTS

OVERVIEW

Aaron offers a diversified practice focused both on traditional in-court and out-of-court restructurings, as well as structured finance special situations. He works collaboratively with his clients to understand their strategic goals and to assist them in achieving such objectives through diligent advocacy and practical solutions.

With respect to the restructuring and bankruptcy aspect of his practice, Aaron has represented financial institutions and other credit and equity providers of all types and sizes in a full range of distress scenarios, including M&A transactions both within and outside of the judicial process, litigation leading up to and following bankruptcy, liquidation related issues, and wholesale Chapter 11 reorganizations.

Aaron has also represented companies who are either themselves facing distress or who find themselves adverse to counterparties, vendors and/or other service providers who are facing distress.

With respect to the structured finance special situation aspect of his practice, Aaron most prominently represents indenture trustees, special servicers, administrative agents and other similarly situated entities as they navigate unique issues both outside of, and in the course of, distress and/or other unique or special situations. He is experienced in a range of deal types from residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities trusts to whole business securitizations, and in a range of industries from mortgage finance to energy to retail.

Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Aaron honed his strengths as a partner in the restructuring practice group of an AmLaw 20 law firm.

Honors

The M&A Advisor Emerging Leader, 2021

Global M&A Network Americas Rising Star Dealmaker, 2021

EXPERIENCE

Experience

Represented prepetition and postpetition administrative and collateral agent in connection with EP Energy Corporation bankruptcy proceedings
Represented administrative agent in bankruptcy proceedings of The Paper Store in Massachusetts bankruptcy court
Represented special servicer in multiple securitization workout matters resulting from COVID-related disruptions
Represented administrative agent for a $1 billion prepetition first lien facility in the Chapter 11 cases of Samson Resources Group and its affiliates, which prior to its filing in 2016 had been the largest independent upstream oil and gas company in the United States.
Represented the predecessors in title to Memorial Production Partners with respect to a $150 million dispute over a decommissioning trust relating to oil and gas operations.
Represented respondents in Taggart v. Lorenzen bankruptcy matter before United States Supreme Court
Represented bond trustee in connection with successful restructuring of Odebrecht Oil & Gas and its subsidiaries and affiliates, which was awarded as the “Restructuring Deal of the Year” by both the International Financial Law Review and Latin Lawyer
Represented indenture trustee in connection with bankruptcy proceeding of Aurora Loan Servicing
Represented multiple indenture trustees in connection with bondholder direction and indemnity negotiations, investor solicitation processes with respect to range of transaction types including RMBS and student loans
Represented indenture trustee in connection with proceedings pursuant to Article 77 of New York's Civil Practice Law and Rules to approve of $5 billion and $2 billion global RMBS settlements
Represented senior mortgage lenders, including through special servicers under RMBS securitizations, in restructurings and bankruptcies of real estate companies, including single asset borrowers and including a tenant-in-common ownership structure
Represented prepetition secured lender in connection in the LTAP US LLP Chapter 11 case and obtained orders granting relief from the automatic stay and denying the debtor’s attempt to obtain approval of a “priming” debtor-in-possession financing facility following a full evidentiary hearing regarding disputed valuation issues
Represented one of the world’s largest providers of telecommunications services in connection with the Chapter 11 case of a competitive local exchange carrier
Represented prepetition secured lender in connection with bankruptcy, district and appellate court litigation arising from the Sentinel Management Group Chapter 11 case

*These occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.

INSIGHTS AND EVENTS

Alerts

Kirschner v. JP Morgan: Syndicated Term Loans Are Not Securities, But What About Digital Assets?

August 31, 2023

News

Barnes & Thornburg Welcomes Experienced Bankruptcy Group Led By Partners Frank DeBorde and Lisa Wolgast

March 18, 2024

Barnes & Thornburg Adds Restructuring Partner Ken Kansa in Chicago

July 12, 2023

Barnes & Thornburg Welcomes New Restructuring Partner Aaron Gavant

June 14, 2023

Barnes & Thornburg Welcomes New Restructuring Partner Aaron Gavant to Chicago Office

June 13, 2023