Katten Insolvency and Restructuring Global Chair Steven Reisman Spotlighted by St. John's University Alumni Q&A

Insolvency and Restructuring Partner and Global Chair Steven J. Reisman was featured in the Bankruptcy Alumni Spotlight Q&A by St. John’s University School of Law. Steve, one of the country's top restructuring attorneys who has been lauded by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers, the Global M&A Network and The M&A Advisor, shared insights from his career in bankruptcy law and notable experience representing clients in some of the largest and most complex in-court and out-of-court restructurings of all time.

In the interview, Steve emphasized that the most exciting part of his restructuring practice is "helping people and solving problems," especially when he can add "real value" by "saving jobs, finding practical solutions to complex situations, and winning for clients." When delivering positive outcomes for clients in challenging cases, he shared that "a lot of bankruptcy is about compromise" when finding "a solution to a complex problem where nobody's happy, but everybody feels it's fair." Steve illustrated this by describing a case in which his creditor clients were at risk of receiving no recovery; Steve's team brought claims against another creditor class based on their actions, and such creditors were ultimately willing to settle with Steve's creditor clients for a material sum "to buy peace."

When asked about skills that law school students should focus on building, Steve underscored the importance of hard work, along with "showing up, caring, and being responsive, professional, and polite." He added that while law school trains attorneys to think, it also teaches students about "relationships, competition, and helping others … intensity, discipline, and how to overcome fear."

"The love and respect the practitioners have for each other has been surprising [in restructuring and bankruptcy]," Steve said. "We all know each other … the intelligence, hard work, and collaboration of colleagues and competitors have been nice surprises."

"Bankruptcy Alumni Spotlight," St. John's University School of Law — Center for Bankruptcy Studies, January 2026