May 13, 2026
Hon. Shelley C. Chapman (Ret.), senior counsel in Willkie's Restructuring Department and Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, appeared on “Women in Restructuring,” a podcast collaboration between Debtwire and the American Bankruptcy Institute. In the episode, Judge Chapman discussed her trailblazing career, her time on the bench and return to Willkie, and the impact of mediation in restructuring, among other topics.
Judge Chapman reflected on her career trajectory, including her background as a full scholarship recipient at Harvard Law School, her early years in private practice and path to becoming a partner in Willkie's Restructuring Department. She discussed her transition to public service—she served for more than a decade as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of New York—as well as her experience presiding over some of the most significant chapter 11 cases on record, including the landmark Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, which she called “the case of a lifetime.”
“I always wanted to do something in the public sector,” Judge Chapman said, adding, “As a judge, you can and you should try to have an impact on people's lives going forward in a positive way. That's what bankruptcy is all about from my perspective.”
The podcast discussion covered her current work as a court-appointed mediator in complex chapter 11 cases, including the Purdue Pharma case, and her decision to return to Willkie. “It's been so much fun being back at Willkie, beyond anything I could've expected or imagined,” Judge Chapman said.
Judge Chapman also highlighted the skills that a successful mediator can bring to the table as mediation is increasingly used in the bankruptcy process. “There are structuring tools that can be used and brought to bear, a lot of creativity, but it's the human element I think that's the most important,” she said.
Listen to the "Women in Restructuring" Podcast episode here.
Judge Chapman reflected on her career trajectory, including her background as a full scholarship recipient at Harvard Law School, her early years in private practice and path to becoming a partner in Willkie's Restructuring Department. She discussed her transition to public service—she served for more than a decade as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of New York—as well as her experience presiding over some of the most significant chapter 11 cases on record, including the landmark Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, which she called “the case of a lifetime.”
“I always wanted to do something in the public sector,” Judge Chapman said, adding, “As a judge, you can and you should try to have an impact on people's lives going forward in a positive way. That's what bankruptcy is all about from my perspective.”
The podcast discussion covered her current work as a court-appointed mediator in complex chapter 11 cases, including the Purdue Pharma case, and her decision to return to Willkie. “It's been so much fun being back at Willkie, beyond anything I could've expected or imagined,” Judge Chapman said.
Judge Chapman also highlighted the skills that a successful mediator can bring to the table as mediation is increasingly used in the bankruptcy process. “There are structuring tools that can be used and brought to bear, a lot of creativity, but it's the human element I think that's the most important,” she said.
Listen to the "Women in Restructuring" Podcast episode here.
