Stradley Ronon announced today that it has continued the growth of its New York office with the hiring of respected bankruptcy and commercial litigation attorney Deborah A. Reperowitz. Reperowitz joins Stradley Ronon as co-chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy, Workouts & Creditors’ Rights Group.

Reperowitz, who previously was a partner at Reed Smith and Troutman Sanders, has robust experience as in-house and outside counsel. She represents clients in all aspects of restructuring and bankruptcy matters, and in commercial litigation. She has represented companies in a wide range of industries, including financial services, insurance, real estate, telecommunications, airline and manufacturing. Reperowitz also is listed on the register of mediators maintained by the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York and was selected to serve as a mediator in the Dewey & LeBoeuf bankruptcy as well as the Madoff liquidations.

Reperowitz served as Senior Vice President and Chief Litigation Counsel at CIT Group Inc. While at CIT Group, she established and chaired the company’s litigation and government investigations legal team and managed nearly all of CIT Group’s litigation and pre-litigation matters. Following her tenure at CIT Group, Reperowitz served as General Counsel of Fairholme Capital Management, an investment adviser that had approximately $20 billion under management.

“Our expanding New York footprint provides clients with access to a deep bench of skilled bankruptcy, finance and restructuring attorneys in the country’s financial center,” said Stradley Ronon Chairman William R. Sasso. “Debbie’s practice fits well with our existing capabilities and her in-house experience gives her the pragmatic, business-minded focus that is a critical trait of a Stradley Ronon attorney.”

“With its deep roots in the financial services industry and burgeoning New York presence, Stradley Ronon provides me with a sophisticated, comprehensive platform from which to grow my practice,” said Reperowitz.