(NEW YORK)--Katten announced today that Julia Winters and Michael Comerford have joined its Insolvency and Restructuring practice as partners in New York.

Winters is a seasoned litigator who has built a reputation for representing both creditors and debtors in high-stakes litigation in bankruptcy courts across the country. Comerford has substantial experience counseling a wide array of clients in all types of in-court and out-of-court restructurings.

"Understanding the issues distressed companies face and knowing clients' legal and business needs is essential to providing the outstanding counsel our clients have come to expect," said Steven Reisman, Chair of Katten's New York Insolvency and Restructuring Practice.

 "At all times, and particularly during these unprecedented times, clients must partner with counsel who know and understand client needs and add value beyond expectations. Julia and Mike are highly skilled restructuring professionals and are ready, willing and able to help accomplish our client objectives.  We are fortunate to have them on Team Katten."

Specifically, Winters focuses her practice on bankruptcy and commercial litigation. She has represented creditors and debtors in several high-profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and provided counsel on commercial litigation matters in both federal and state court. Winters helps clients through the entire lifecycle of the bankruptcy litigation process, from negotiations and mediation through trial and prosecuting appeals.

Comerford represents debtors, ad hoc groups of creditors, hedge funds, private equity firms, secured lenders, and creditors' committees to help them develop and implement transactions that maximize value. He is particularly skilled in addressing matters involving both in-court restructurings (including pre-packaged and pre-arranged Chapter 11 cases) and out-of-court restructurings.

Comerford formerly was of counsel in the Corporate practice of Paul Hastings LLP in New York. Winters was counsel in the Commercial Litigation practice at White & Case LLP in New York.

With the addition of Winters and Comerford, Katten has added five attorneys to its Insolvency and Restructuring practice within the last two months and 12 this year. Last month, Michaela Crocker and John Mitchell joined the practice in Dallas, and Terence Banich joined in Chicago.

Katten's Insolvency and Restructuring practice was much more in demand during the first half of 2020 than during the same period in 2019 as the practice continues to take on key roles in some of the most noted bankruptcy cases. The practice generally represents debtors, independent directors, key creditor constituencies and stakeholders in major Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 cases throughout the country.