Gregory Gartland is a partner in Willkie’s Finance Department. He is based in the Firm’s Chicago office.
Greg has nearly 25 years of experience advising clients across numerous industries in finance and insolvency related matters. He focuses on lending transactions, liability management transactions, out-of-court workouts and recapitalizations, in-court restructurings, remedies exercises and distressed mergers and acquisitions.
Greg’s clients include private credit and sponsor finance lenders, money center banks, agents and other stakeholders and also serves as outside general counsel to multiple lender owned businesses.
Greg has nearly 25 years of experience advising clients across numerous industries in finance and insolvency related matters. He focuses on lending transactions, liability management transactions, out-of-court workouts and recapitalizations, in-court restructurings, remedies exercises and distressed mergers and acquisitions.
Greg’s clients include private credit and sponsor finance lenders, money center banks, agents and other stakeholders and also serves as outside general counsel to multiple lender owned businesses.
Experience
- Recognized by The Legal 500 US as a “Key Lawyer” for Commercial Lending, 2025
- Recognized among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy Lawyers, 2024-2026
- Member, Board of Trustees, Marist University
- Officer, McCann Foundation
- Member, Turnaround Management Association
- Co-Author, multiple chapters, “Strategic Alternatives For and Against Distressed Businesses,” 2026 edition
- Co-Author, “Considerations for Stakeholders Regarding Rights and Remedies when a Borrower is in Default,” ACG Chicago Quarterly Journal, December 22, 2017
- Represented two separate groups of project finance lenders in the Chapter 11 cases of Pine Gate Renewables, including the post-acquisition novation of their credit facilities
- Represented First Eagle Alternative Credit in the restructuring of a leading northeast telecom contractor
- Represented the term lenders in restructuring transactions of a publicly traded hydroponic cannabis supplier
- Represented the ABL agent in the Chapter 11 cases of First Brands Group
- Represented BMO Bank, N.A. in numerous out of court restructurings, including in the HVAC, lighting and medical logistics spaces
- Represented Ares Capital in the restructuring of Great Expressions Dental Centers, a 250-location dental services organization operating across multiple states and the foreclosure of the assets of Absolute Dental, a 50-location dental services organization operating throughout Nevada, and serve as general outside counsel to each post-restructuring company
- Represented BMO Bank, N.A. as agent for lenders in restructuring of a $100 million EBITDA dental service organization
- Represented Ares Capital as agent for lenders to multi-state urgent care service organization
- Represented Ares Capital as second lien agent for lenders to operator of international chain of opioid treatment clinics
- Represented First Eagle Alternative Credit as DIP lender in the Chapter 11 cases for, and subsequent restructuring of, Smartours
- Represented the debtors in the Chapter 11 cases of Petersen Healthcare
- Represented Twin Brook Capital Partners in confidential restructurings of companies in the aerospace, consumer products, direct to consumer building products and food industries
- Represented Bank of Montreal, as DIP lender, in the Chapter 11 cases of High Ridge Brands
- Represented CIT Northbridge as secured lender in the Chapter 11 cases of Tubular Synergies and in numerous out of court workouts and restructurings
- Represented a multinational investment bank and financial services holding company in numerous workouts, restructurings and receivership actions
- DIP lender in the Chapter 11 cases of Universal Coop, Inc.
- Debtors in the Chapter 11 cases of Quantum Foods, LLC
- Agent, lenders, and plan sponsor in the Chapter 11 cases of GSC Group, Inc.
- Letter of credit bank, majority bondholder, and DIP lender in the Chapter 11 cases of Fairview Ministries, Inc.
- Major equipment lessor in the Chapter 11 cases of Metaldyne Company LLC
- Agent and lenders in the Chapter 11 cases of PTC Alliance
- Represented Adams Street Partners in the restructuring of its investment in Playmonster
- Represented term lenders in the Chapter 11 cases of Charming Charlie
*Greg advised on some of these matters prior to joining Willkie.
Credentials
Education
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, LL.M., 2003 University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 2002 Siena College, B.A., 1999