November 13, 2025
Hon. Shelley C. Chapman (Ret.), senior counsel in Willkie’s Restructuring Department and Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, has been profiled as a Lifetime Achievement Award honoree by The American Lawyer.
The article highlighted Judge Chapman’s impact as a trailblazing lawyer, mentor and jurist, noting that she “worked on many of the largest and most impactful bankruptcies in her era.” Prior to re-joining Willkie in 2022, Judge Chapman served as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of New York beginning in 2010. “The list of matters U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Shelley Chapman presided over is impressive simply as a list,” The American Lawyer said. “Lehman Brothers. Boston Generating. Sbarro. Century 21. Philippine Airlines. The list of mediation matters she has worked is equally so. Windstream. Purdue Pharma. Rite Aid. The Diocese of Rochester.”
Judge Chapman was the first in her family to go to college and also the first woman partner in the bankruptcy practices at both Sidley Austin and Willkie. She reflected on her education and professional path: “I graduated from Harvard Law in 1981, and that is an important piece of who I am, that I went to college and law school on full scholarships. I was the first person in my family to go to college, and I wasn’t familiar with the professional environment and the world in general. So, I just got out there,” she said.
Willkie Chairman Matthew Feldman, who worked on a matter across from Judge Chapman before she joined Willkie in 2001, commented on her impact on the profession and success: “She was a pioneer in the sense that bankruptcy was—and to some extent still is—a boy’s club. She broke that mold and also managed to raise two phenomenal daughters who are professionals"—a doctor and a lawyer—"of their own.”
Willkie counsel Jamie Eisen reflected on her time as a young associate at Willkie when she first met Judge Chapman: “She was the only woman partner in the firm’s restructuring group, and well respected. I was in awe of her from the moment I met her.” Jamie subsequently served as Judge Chapman’s career law clerk during her time on the bench – and witnessed how she personified excellence in the law. “Her ability to command a room and a courtroom was something I was constantly learning from,” Jamie said. “She earns people’s respect. Not through force, but through quiet authority and deep respect.”
Judge James Peck, who worked alongside Judge Chapman in the SDNY, noted that she always had “extra compassion” and is someone who “lives and breathes the issues that she confronts.” He went on to recount a story where he and Judge Chapman were the subject of an amusing New Yorker article several years ago centered on both of them going to see "The Lehman Trilogy," a play that had recently come to the U.S. from the U.K. and chronicled the rise and fall of Lehman Brothers. “We were sort of reviewing the play from the perspective of the judges who were close to the story. And we had a rapport and banter that was captured by the author,” Judge Peck explained.
Sharing her advice for others, Judge Chapman focused on the importance of mentors and making a positive impact: “My general advice would be to seek out good mentors who can guide you to the best work and the best experiences,” she said. “Embrace the opportunity you are given. And remember to do good. As a professional in the law, you have an enormous ability to do good and leave a lasting impression.”
Judge Chapman was honored at The American Lawyer’s Industry Awards on November 13 in New York.
Read the full profile here. (Subscription may be required)
The article highlighted Judge Chapman’s impact as a trailblazing lawyer, mentor and jurist, noting that she “worked on many of the largest and most impactful bankruptcies in her era.” Prior to re-joining Willkie in 2022, Judge Chapman served as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of New York beginning in 2010. “The list of matters U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Shelley Chapman presided over is impressive simply as a list,” The American Lawyer said. “Lehman Brothers. Boston Generating. Sbarro. Century 21. Philippine Airlines. The list of mediation matters she has worked is equally so. Windstream. Purdue Pharma. Rite Aid. The Diocese of Rochester.”
Judge Chapman was the first in her family to go to college and also the first woman partner in the bankruptcy practices at both Sidley Austin and Willkie. She reflected on her education and professional path: “I graduated from Harvard Law in 1981, and that is an important piece of who I am, that I went to college and law school on full scholarships. I was the first person in my family to go to college, and I wasn’t familiar with the professional environment and the world in general. So, I just got out there,” she said.
Willkie Chairman Matthew Feldman, who worked on a matter across from Judge Chapman before she joined Willkie in 2001, commented on her impact on the profession and success: “She was a pioneer in the sense that bankruptcy was—and to some extent still is—a boy’s club. She broke that mold and also managed to raise two phenomenal daughters who are professionals"—a doctor and a lawyer—"of their own.”
Willkie counsel Jamie Eisen reflected on her time as a young associate at Willkie when she first met Judge Chapman: “She was the only woman partner in the firm’s restructuring group, and well respected. I was in awe of her from the moment I met her.” Jamie subsequently served as Judge Chapman’s career law clerk during her time on the bench – and witnessed how she personified excellence in the law. “Her ability to command a room and a courtroom was something I was constantly learning from,” Jamie said. “She earns people’s respect. Not through force, but through quiet authority and deep respect.”
Judge James Peck, who worked alongside Judge Chapman in the SDNY, noted that she always had “extra compassion” and is someone who “lives and breathes the issues that she confronts.” He went on to recount a story where he and Judge Chapman were the subject of an amusing New Yorker article several years ago centered on both of them going to see "The Lehman Trilogy," a play that had recently come to the U.S. from the U.K. and chronicled the rise and fall of Lehman Brothers. “We were sort of reviewing the play from the perspective of the judges who were close to the story. And we had a rapport and banter that was captured by the author,” Judge Peck explained.
Sharing her advice for others, Judge Chapman focused on the importance of mentors and making a positive impact: “My general advice would be to seek out good mentors who can guide you to the best work and the best experiences,” she said. “Embrace the opportunity you are given. And remember to do good. As a professional in the law, you have an enormous ability to do good and leave a lasting impression.”
Judge Chapman was honored at The American Lawyer’s Industry Awards on November 13 in New York.
Read the full profile here. (Subscription may be required)
