Corporate restructuring lawyer Richard S. Kanowitz has joined Haynes and Boone, LLP as a partner in the firm’s Restructuring Practice Group. He will be based in the New York office.
Kanowitz comes to Haynes and Boone from Cooley LLP, where he spent 20 years representing corporate debtors, creditors’ committees, unsecured and secured creditors, and equity holders in a multitude of businesses, including healthcare, telecommunication services, biofuel, biotech, manufacturing, real estate and retail.
Kanowitz complements Haynes and Boone’s growth strategy in the New York office, which recently welcomed Erin Hennessy, a recognized leader in the trademark bar.
“Richard’s hiring shows the continued growth of our New York office, which is now better positioned to help our clients in restructuring matters,” said Craig Unterberg, managing partner of the New York office.
Haynes and Boone Managing Partner Tim Powers said: “More and more lawyers are interested in what we offer: leading practices and lawyers working in a stable, teamwork-focused culture. Richard will be a great addition to our New York team, as well as our national restructuring practice.”
Kanowitz has handled numerous contested bankruptcy matters and adversary proceedings, including cash collateral hearings, severance and retention hearings, asset disposition hearings, exclusivity contests, disclosure statement and confirmation proceedings, fraudulent conveyance actions, claims litigation, UCC lien litigation, executory contract and unexpired lease litigation, and Rule 2004 investigations.
He also is a founding member of a national non-profit organization called Families Fighting Flu, Inc., a group he started in 2004 following the tragic loss of his 4-year-old daughter, who died from the flu. Kanowitz served as president of the organization for 12 years and remains involved in it.
Kanowitz said he was drawn to Haynes and Boone because of its culture and reputation as a corporate law firm with a diverse client base in multiple business sectors. “I am excited about the collaborative culture and teamwork approach, which is the type of environment I enjoy working in,” he said. “Haynes and Boone is known for taking everyone’s strengths and talents and bringing them together for the greater good of the team. This is also a key focus of my practice.”
The Haynes and Boone Restructuring Practice Group handles issues in large and complex out-of-court financial restructurings and Chapter 11 reorganization cases. Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, 2020 ranks the practice as a market leader, and clients describe our lawyers as “business-oriented attorneys.” The Restructuring Practice Group was shortlisted for the 2015 Chambers USA Award of Excellence as Bankruptcy Team of the Year for the entire nation.