Clifford Chance advised Mexico-based Gonher Music Center on its acquisition, through newly formed US affiliates, of storied US music retailer Sam Ash. The 42-store retail chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2024, citing declining sales as customers shifted to online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequently launched a court-supervised sale process under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.
 
Following a competitive auction in which Gonher Music Center emerged as the successful bidder, the Bankruptcy Court approved the sale and affiliates of Gonher Music Center acquired substantially all the assets of its e-commerce platform and wholesale businesses. This transaction closed in July 2024.
 
The cross-practice team advising Gonher was led by partner Brian Lohan (Restructuring & Insolvency) and senior associate Stephanie Kilmer (Corporate/M&A). The wider US team included partners Michelle McGreal and Maja Zerjal Fink (Restructuring & Insolvency), Kevin Lehpamer (Corporate/M&A), and Violetta Kokolus (Intellectual Property), along with associates Madelyn Nicolini (Restructuring & Insolvency) and William Wilcox (Corporate/M&A). Beijing Corporate/M&A partner Yufei Liao and associate Jiahong Cai and trainee Ruiqi (Rickey) Yu advised on the Chinese law aspects of the transaction.
 
The sellers were advised by investment bank Capstone Partners, restructuring advisers SierraConstellation Partners, and law firm Cole Schotz.