Jennifer (Jenn) Kimble is counsel in Willkie’s Restructuring Department. She is based in New York. Throughout her 20 years in the restructuring and insolvency industry, Jenn has represented debtors, official creditor and retiree committees, lenders and other parties in chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, workouts, out of court restructurings and civil litigation matters in cases across a variety of jurisdictions. She has particular experience in the mining, automotive and consumer goods sectors. Within the Restructuring Department, Jenn leads market intelligence, client development, attorney education, internal legal transformation and group efficiency efforts and practice strategy.
Jenn serves as a Director on the American Bankruptcy Institute’s (ABI) Board of Directors. She also serves on the Strategic Planning Task Force and the Advisory Council of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC). In 2022, Jenn served as global chair of the organization. Jenn serves on the Governance Committee of the Turnaround Management Association and on the Focus on Gender Diversity Steering Committee, a NYC-based women-led restructuring initiative. She has frequently been named to industry lists including Best Lawyers in America, (2021-2026), Best Lawyers in the NY Metro Area, and Best Lawyers: Women in the Law, New York Metro Area.
In 2017, the ABI selected Jenn for its inaugural list of “40 under 40” Emerging Leaders in the Insolvency Practice.
Experience
- Best Lawyers in America – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Litigation: Bankruptcy (2021-2026)
- Best Lawyers NY Metro Area - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency (2021- 2025)
- Best Lawyers: Women in the Law, NY Metro Area - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency (2024-2025)
- New York Metro Super Lawyers Bankruptcy: Creditor and Debtor Rights (2021-2025); Rising Star (2019-2020)
- Alabama Super Lawyers Rising Star Bankruptcy and Creditor and Debtor Rights (2011-2016)
- Member of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s inaugural “40 Under 40” Class (2017)
- IWIRC Rising Star (2012)
- IWIRC Rising Star – Semi-Finalist (2011)
- Moderator, “Ethics Matter: Ethical Dilemmas in Insolvency Situations, Turnarounds and Restructurings” – 22nd Annual IWIRC Spring Conference (April 25, 2025 – Washington, DC)
- Presenter, “When Creditors Strike Back” – American Bankruptcy Institute’s Annual Spring Meeting (April 2023, Washington, DC)
- Presenter, “How to Preserve Your Job as CEO, CFO or General Counsel in a Bankruptcy or Financial Restructuring” – West/ Thompson Reuters Webinar (October 21, 2021)
- Presenter, “Committee Communications Causing Chaos: Ethical, Legal and Strategic Considerations for Counsel in Chapter 11” - ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting (April 20, 2021 – Virtual)
- Moderator, “Women at the Forefront of Insolvency” – IWIRC and III in celebration of International Women’s Day (May 8, 2021 – Virtual)
- Presenter, Financial Advisors Toolbox, Part 1 and Part 2 – AIRA’s 35th, 36th, and 37th Annual Bankruptcy and Restructuring Conferences (2019 – Boston, MA; 2020 – Virtual; and 2021 -Cleveland, OH)
- Presenter, “How to Negotiate and Draft Sale Documents and Pleadings in Chapter 11 Cases” – 2019 ABI Winter Leadership Conference (December 2019- Ranchos Palos Verde, CA)
- Presenter, “40 Under 40 Spotlight on Professional Development” – 14th Annual ABI Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop (August 2018 – Hershey, PA)
- Moderator/ Presenter, “Ethical Issues that Arise when Supervising Junior Attorneys and Non-Attorney Professionals” – 2016 ABI Winter Leadership Conference (December 2016 – Rancho Palos Verde, CA)
- Presenter, “Seeking the Truth: How to Take and Defend a 2004 Exam” – 18th Annual ABI Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop (July 2013 – Amelia Island, FL)
- Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc.: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Enviva, Inc.: Counsel to creditor and member of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Knotel, Inc.: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- KB US Holdings, Inc.: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Murray Metallurgical Coal Holdings, LLC: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Hollister Construction Services, LLC: Counsel to the Debtor
- Orchids Paper Products Company, Inc.: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Mission Coal Company, LLC: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Walter Energy, Inc.: Counsel to Union and Mineral Rights Lessor
- Franklin Pharmacy, LLC: Counsel to the Debtor
- Alabama Marble Co., Inc.: Counsel to the Debtor
- Eastman Kodak Company: Counsel to the Official Committee of Retired Employees
- Recticel North America, Inc.: Counsel to Original Equipment Manufacturer
- Oris Automotive Parts (AL), Ltd.: Counsel to Original Equipment Manufacturer
- Lear Corporation: Counsel to Original Equipment Manufacturer
- Visteon Corp.: Counsel to Original Equipment Manufacturer
- Chrysler LLC: Counsel to Tier 1 Supplier
- General Motors LLC: Counsel to Tier 1 Supplier
*Jenn advised on some of these matters prior to joining Willkie.
Credentials
Education
University of Mississippi, J.D., 2005 Mississippi State University, B.A., 2002
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
United States District Court, Southern District of New York United States District Court, Northern District of Mississippi United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi United States District Court, Southern District of Alabama