Steve Jakubowski

Mr. Jakubowski, founder and author of nearly all posts for the Bankruptcy Litigation Blog, has worked in complex chapter 11 bankruptcies and reorganizations for 22 years. He received his bankruptcy training at Kirkland & Ellis and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom for the first seven years of practice, including as Skadden's lead bankruptcy counsel on behalf of the debtor in the chapter 11 case of Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. (Broadway/Emporium Department Stores). He established his own private practice in 1992 and represented investors and acquirors in chapter 11 reorganizations in a host of diverse industries. Between 1995 and 1997, Mr. Jakubowski served as officer of two reorganizing companies, with the Delaware bankruptcy court appointing Mr. Jakubowski to be the chief operating officer of a public restaurant company in 1995 and the chairman and chief executive officer of New England's top regional snack manufacturer in 1996. In both engagements, the operating entity emerged from chapter 11. In 1998, Mr. Jakubowski became of counsel to the firm. Upon his arrival, he became deeply involved in the firm's representation of the bankruptcy estate of Reliance Acceptance Group, Inc., a failed sub-prime auto lender from which the Chicago-based Cole Taylor Bank split-off in early 1997. The firm negotiated approximately $150 million in aggregate settlements on behalf of the bankruptcy estate's constituents. Since the resolution of that case in 2001, Mr. Jakubowski has represented diverse parties and interests on a variety of bankruptcy litigation and reorganization matters, as well as in commercial litigation in federal and state courts involving distressed companies or situations and receiverships proceedings