Debra McElligott Sinclair
Partner, Restructuring
Debra Sinclair is U.S. Co-Chair of the Restructuring Department and Chair of the Company Restructuring & Reorganization practice. Debra represents debtors, lenders, official committees of unsecured creditors, and ad hoc creditor groups comprised of hedge funds, financial institutions and other sophisticated investors in distressed situations. She advises clients on all aspects of complex chapter 11 cases and has experience with distressed acquisitions, bankruptcy litigation, cross-border matters and out-of-court restructurings. She has represented parties in restructurings in industries such as real estate, aviation, manufacturing, retail, energy, and pharmaceuticals.
In 2024, the American Bankruptcy Institute selected Debra for its list of “40 Under 40” Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice. She has been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, a guide to the top restructuring practitioners worldwide. Debra was selected in 2023 by leading industry publication Turnarounds & Workouts as one of 12 “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyers.” She was also selected by Law360 as one of five attorneys nationwide to be named a 2022 “Rising Star” in Bankruptcy. She has been recognized for her pro bono contributions by The Legal Aid Society, as a recipient of its Pro Bono Publico award, and Immigration Equality, as a recipient of its Safe Haven Award. Debra currently sits on the firm’s Recruiting Committee and served as the Secretary of the Bankruptcy & Corporate Reorganization Committee of the New York City Bar Association from 2020 to 2023.
Experience
- NanoString Technologies, Inc.: Counsel to the Debtors
- Unconditional Love, Inc. d/b/a Hello Bello: Counsel to the Debtors
- Aventiv Technologies: Counsel to Platinum Equity (Sponsor)
- Charah Solutions Inc.: Counsel to Charah Solutions in its acquisition by SER Capital Partners
- Cineworld Group plc: Counsel to U.S. Independent Directors
- PWM Property Management LLC: Counsel to Mezzanine Lender, Preferred Equity Holder and Acquirer
- SAS AB: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Grupo Aeroméxico, S.A.B. de C.V.: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Avianca Holdings S.A.: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Belk, Inc.: Counsel to Ad Hoc Group of First and Second Lien Term Loan Lenders
- Strike LLC: Counsel to Ad Hoc Group of Term Loan Lenders
- Pace Industries, LLC: Counsel to the Debtors
- Southcross Energy Partners, L.P.: Counsel to Ad Hoc Group of Term Loan Lenders
- Aralez Pharmaceuticals US Inc.: Counsel to the Debtors
- Westinghouse Electric Company: Counsel to Acquirer/Plan Investor
- Armstrong Energy, Inc.: Counsel to Mineral Rights Provider
- Remington Outdoor Company, Inc.: Counsel to Ad Hoc Group of Third Lien Noteholders
- SquareTwo Financial Services Corporation: Counsel to the Debtors
- Implant Sciences Corporation: Counsel to the Debtors
Credentials
Education
New York University School of Law, J.D., 2013 Cornell University, B.S., 2010