Experience. Client Service. Results.
Richard J. Corbi has been practicing in the areas of distressed investing, corporate transactions, restructuring, litigation, and bankruptcy advice for over twelve years. His work at top tier firms such as Proskauer Rose LLP and Lowenstein Sandler LLP and clerkships in the District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York, has given him the depth and breadth of experience to tailor his work to the business goals of each client at a flexible fee structure that makes sense.
Richard is committed to maximizing both client service and efficiency. He works closely with clients in all aspects of corporate restructuring, bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings in both domestic and cross-border insolvencies, helping them navigate the complexities of debt restructurings in a strategic and cost-effective way.
Richard regularly represents distressed companies, official creditors’ committees, and ad hoc creditor groups in a variety of insolvency scenarios across industries such as printing, sports & entertainment, food and beverage, retail, chemical, healthcare, telecommunications, shipping, oil & gas, and the auto industry.
Richard works with hedge funds, private equity firms and lenders to structure and negotiate financing in chapter 11 debtor-in-possession loans, right offerings, sales and acquisitions of companies, and purchases sales of investments, relying on his ability to develop solutions that achieve both the business and financial goals of his clients.
Richard’s prior experience as a law clerk in the Title III proceedings of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico enables him to provide insight to clients facing municipal and sovereign debt situations.
In addition, Richard utilizes a vast network of connections and deep relationships within the legal community that enables him to bring sophisticated resources to handle complex issues that often arise, such as pension or tax issues. This tailored system ensures that clients receive the highest quality legal advice on a broad range of issues, while maximizing cost efficiency.
Richard completed the American Bankruptcy Institute/St. John’s University School of Law Bankruptcy Mediation Training Program in 2018. Richard is a registered mediator in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York and the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
Contact Us
Location
1501 Broadway, 12th Floor,
New York NY 10036
Contact
(O) : (646) 571-2033
(M) : (516) 582-0649
- The Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys
- Young Professionals Committee, Futures and Options, a non-profit organization in New York City
- Hedge Fund Association
- Education Director of the Claims Trading Committee, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Turnaround Management Association
- New York City Bar Association
- New York City Bar Association Committee on Bankruptcy & Corporate Reorganization
- Federal Bar Council
- Federal Bar Association
- Association for Corporate Growth
- Former Education Director, Business Reorganization Committee, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Former Co-Chair of Young & New Members Committee, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Former ABI Journal Column Editor, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Former Newsletter Editor, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Former State Committee Member, Turnaround Underground (Chicago Chapter)
- Former Board Member of TMA Young Professionals Committee, Turnaround Management Association (New York City Division)
- Adjunct Professor, St. John’s University School of Law
- Member of Class VII, International Insolvency Institute NextGen Leadership Program
- New York Institute of Credit’s 4th Annual Future Leader of the Year Award
- United Nations Delegate on behalf of the New York City Bar Association at United Nations Commission on International Trade Law’s (UNCITRAL) 47th and 49th Session of Working Group V (Insolvency Law)
- New York Metro Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2013)
- Dean’s Merit Scholarship
- CALI Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy Accounting
- Family Court Review, Staff Editor, Index & Resource Editor
- Out-of-Bankruptcy Court Loans With Bankruptcy-Court Like Protections, ABI Claims Trading Newsletter, Volume 2, Number 1 (September 2020)
- CARES Act Bankruptcy Litigation Raises Chevron Questions, Law 360, July 9, 2020
- Out-of-Court Workout Shields Lender from Preference Liability, Law 360, April 9, 2020
- Court Denies Lender’s Ability to Credit Bid for Statutory Reasons, Not the “Chilling Reasons,” ABI Claims Trading Newsletter, Volume 1, Number 1 (June 2019)
- Claim Holder in One Class May Purchase Claims in Another Class to Block Cram-Down Plan Confirmation, Moses & Singer Client Alert (July 2018), co-author
- One Cannot Become an “Insider” Simply by Purchasing a Claim from an “Insider”, Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law & Practice (June 2017)
- Code to Code: New England Telephone Calls on Lienholders to Protect Their Rights, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (November 2015), co-author
- Code to Code: Plain Language Reigns Supreme in Claims Subordination Litigation, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (June 2014)
- Latin America Update: Argentine Bondholders Are 2-0 Enforcing Their Contractual Rights, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (January 2014), co-author
- Recent Case Law Developments of Section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code, Norton Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law (August 2013)
- GM on the Value of Collateral, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (March 2013) co-author; re-printed in ABF Journal (April 2013)
- The Retention of a CRO, Chapter of ABI’s The Chief Restructuring Officer’s Guide to Bankruptcy: Views from Leading Insolvency Professionals (2013)
- The Fifth Circuit’s Vitro Decision on Cross Border Insolvencies: A Game Changer? Business Credit (March 2013), co-author
- KB Toys and Enron: Two Opposite Decisions, Yet Both Ignored Issues and May Have Created Further Confusion, Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice (2012)
- Tribune Bankruptcy Highlights the Importance of Close Reading of Indenture Agreements by Hedge Funds That Trade Bankruptcy Claims or Distressed Debt, Hedge Fund Law Report (November 15, 2012)
- Intercreditor Disputes, Chapter of ABI Debtor-in-Possession Financing Manual: Funding a Chapter 11 Case (2012)
- The International Scene: Finding Equity in the Ruins, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (November 2012), co-author
- The (In)validity of Exit Consents, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (October 2012), co-author
- The International Scene: Chapter 15 Limits Tested, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (August 2012)
- Some Can’t Dock In Bankruptcy Code’s ‘Safe Harbor’, Law 360 (July 27, 2012)
- New Rule 2019: Distressed Investors, What Are You Holding? American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (June 2011), co-author (article also selected by American Bankruptcy Institute to be included in Best of ABI 2011: The Year in Business Bankruptcy)
- The International Scene: Chapter 15 Applies to Australian Liquidations, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (March 2011)
- Code to Code: Are Preference Lawsuits Permitted in Chapter 15 Cases? A Tale of Two Decisions, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (May 2010), co-author
- Lien on Me: ICAs Prevent Bankruptcy Objections, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (March 2010)
- Can Noteholders Credit Bid? ABI Young & New Members Committee Newsletter, Volume 7, Number 4 (November 2009)
- Panelist, “Navigating Uncharted Waters of Commercial Real Estate – Deals or Doom?” TMA Distressed Investing Conference, February 23, 2021
- Panelist, Financial Poise Webinar, “Representing Asset Purchasers in Bankruptcy.” February 9, 2021
- Moderator, “Trading in the Secondary Markets: When Am I Bound?”, ABI Webinar, April 29, 2020
- Panelist, “Sponsor Liability, Including Liability Relating to Sponsors Purchasing Debt or Equity in Their Portfolios,” American Bankruptcy Institute’s Annual Winter Leadership Conference, December 6, 2019, Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA
- Panelist, “Strategies for Addressing Recurring Compensation and Benefits Issues in Chapter 11 Bankruptcies,” New York City Bar Association, October 6, 2015, New York, NY
- Panelist, “Overview of Bankruptcy Litigation,” Federal Bar Association, June 24, 2015, New York, NY
- Presenter, “Overlooked Section 1145 Issues and Related Securities Law Issues in Restructurings,” New York City Bar Association, May 20, 2015, New York, NY
- Moderator, “Tax Sharing Agreements in Bankruptcy that Have Been the Subject of Recent Appeals Court Decisions,” American Bankruptcy Institute’s 33d Annual Spring Meeting, April 18, 2015, Washington, D.C.
- Moderator, “Litigation Tactics to Protect Creditor Positions in Distressed Companies,” ABI St. John’s University School of Law Claims Trading Panel, October 30, 2014, New York, NY
- Planning Committee Member of ABI St. John’s University School of Law Claims Trading Panel, October 30, 2014, New York, NY
- Presenter, “Recent Developments in Preference Litigation,” West Legal Ed Teleseminar, 2014
- Presenter, Norton Bankruptcy Litigation Seminar II, March 21-22, 2013, Las Vegas, NV
- Presenter, “Recent Developments in Preference Litigation,” West Legal Ed Teleseminar, 2013
- Moderator, Examiners and Select Plan Confirmation Issues ABI Webinar, October 15, 2012
- Presenter, Select Intellectual Property Issues in Bankruptcy Cases, August 15, 2012
- Presenter, Nuts and Bolts: Business Bankruptcy Fundamentals CLE, May 14, 2010
- Presenter, Bankruptcy Code Section 363 Sales CLE, July 28, 2009
- Presenter, Nuts and Bolts: Business Bankruptcy Fundamentals CLE, April 14, 2009
Education
- St. John’s University School of Law (LL.M. in Bankruptcy)
- Hofstra University School of Law (J.D.)
- Ithaca College (B.A. in English, Degree Completed in 3 Years)
Bar/Court Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, Hon. Laura Taylor Swain, U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.
- Law Clerk, Hon. Alan S. Trust, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D.N.Y.
- Law Clerk, Hon. Louis A. Scarcella, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D.N.Y.
Areas of Practice
Debtors
Confidential: currently representing large produce supplier to New York City restaurants in connection with its out-of-court wind down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Creditors
In re Pyxus International, et al., Case No. 20-11570 (Bankr. D. Del.). Lead counsel to Official Committee of Equity Security Holders in connection with the contested confirmation trial of the Debtors’ pre-arranged chapter 11 plan of reorganization of a $1 billion tobacco company whose largest customers include Philip Morris International. In re P8H, Inc. d/b/a Paddle 8, Case No. 20-10809 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.). Lead counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors to one of the leading online art auction houses whose clients include, Jay-Z. In re Occasion Brands, LLC, Case No. 20-11684 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.). Represented one of the largest creditors to the Debtors whose business consist of weddings, proms and other special event occasions. In re Pier 1 Imports, Inc., Case No. 20-30805 (Bankr. E.D. Va.). Co-counsel to a publicly traded commercial landlord in connection with the Pier 1 bankruptcy proceedings. In re Purdue Pharma L.P. et al., Case No. 19-23649 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.). Counsel to various creditors.
Investors
In re Benbow Valley Investments dba Benbow Historic Inn, Case No. 19-10720 (Bankr. N.D. Ca.). DIP/Exit lender in connection with the restructuring of debt to a historic boutique inn & resort in northern California. In re Verity Health System of California, Inc., et al., Case No. 18-20151 (Bankr. C.D. Cal.). Represented stalking bidder in connection with the Debtors’ off shore captive insurance assets.
Distressed Debt & Claims Trading
Confidential: Serve as outside counsel to various investment firms in connection with distressed investments, debt purchases and financing.
Mediation
In re LeClair Ryan LLP, Case No. 19-34574 (Bankr. E.D. Va.). Selected to mediation panel in connection with Chapter 7 trustee’s winddown of a former Am Law 200 law firm.
Corporate Governance
In re Sears Holdings Corporation, et al., Case No. 18-23538 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.). Represented the court-appointed expert in connection with the $5.2 billion post-purchase price litigation between the Debtors and the purchaser, Transform Holdco, LLC (a subsidiary of ESL Investments), of the Debtors. In re Absolut Facilities Management, LLC, et al., Case No. 19-76260 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y.). Successfully represented the Chief Restructuring Officer (“CRO”) of the chapter 11 debtorsin connection with objections prosecuted by the creditors’ committee with regards to the CRO’s retention and compensation. Confidential: Counsel to New York City wine and distributor in connection with the negotiation of its corporate lease. Confidential: Counsel to a New York City physical therapy company in connection with the general corporate matters such as employment issues and lease negotiations. Confidential: Counsel to a B2B in connection with contract negotiations with various hotels such as Hilton and Marriott.