Ira represents official committees and ad hoc groups of unsecured creditors, ad hoc groups of secured creditors, debtor in possession lenders, institutional investors, hedge funds and acquirers of businesses and assets. His restructuring matters encompass a variety of industries and involve multijurisdictional and cross-border matters.

In addition, Ira has advised numerous companies in restructurings and recapitalizations in and out of court, including Sanchez Energy Corporation; Payless Holdings LLC; FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.; Millennium Health, LLC; Coso Geothermal Power Holdings, LLC; Allied Nevada Gold Corp.; Quiznos; TerreStar Networks; American Media Inc.; Atari Inc.; PetroRig entities; Marquis Jet Partners, Inc.; Foamex International Inc.; Granite Broadcasting Corporation; U.S. Shipping Corp.; and Trident Resources Corp.

Ira received his J.D. in 1992 from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he was a member of the Cardozo Law Review. He received his B.A. magna cum laude in history from Brandeis University.

Ira is a frequent lecturer at leading high-yield conferences and restructuring seminars. He is involved in community and charitable activities and has received recognition for his accomplishments in this area. He currently chairs the Board of Overseers of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Representative Work

Diamond Sports Group: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Diamond Sports Group and its affiliates, an operator of regional sports broadcast networks for more than 40 teams across Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association, involving more than $8 billion in liabilities.
SVB: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 case of SVB Financial Group, the former parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, involving more than $3.4 billion in liabilities.
GTT: Counsel to GTT Communications and its affiliates, operator of one of the largest Tier 1 internet networks in the world, in their chapter 11 cases involving $4.5 billion in liabilities. Successful Restructurings of the Year (Turnarounds & Workouts)
Avaya: Counsel to an ad hoc group of first lien lenders in negotiations related to the prepackaged chapter 11 cases of Avaya and its affiliates, a multinational cloud communications and collaboration services company, involving $4 billion in liabilities.
Talen Energy: Counsel to an ad hoc group of first lien creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Talen Energy and its affiliates, one of the largest power generation and infrastructure companies in North America, involving $4.455 billion in liabilities. Successful Restructurings of the Year (Turnarounds & Workouts)

Travelport: Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured term loan lenders in an out-of-court recapitalization of Travelport Worldwide, a provider of distribution, technology and payment solutions for the travel and tourism industry.
Sears: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Sears and its affiliates, once the largest retailer in the world, involving $5.6 billion in liabilities. Restructuring and Insolvency Deal of the Year (IFLR1000)
FirstEnergy Solutions: Counsel to the debtors in the chapter 11 cases of FirstEnergy Solutions and its subsidiaries, an electric utility that services roughly one million residential, commercial and industrial customers, involving $3.8 billion in liabilities.
Intelsat: Counsel to an ad hoc group of creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Intelsat and its affiliates, one of the largest satellite services providers in the world, involving $14.7 billion in liabilities. Restructuring of the Year - Over $10B (M&A Advisor)
Frontier Communications: Counsel to an ad hoc group of unsecured noteholders in the chapter 11 cases of Frontier Communications and its affiliates, an American telecommunications company, involving $17 billion in liabilities. Telecommunications Services Deal of the Year (M&A Advisor)
Diamond Offshore Drilling: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Diamond Offshore Drilling and its affiliates, a leader in the offshore drilling industry, involving $2.4 billion in liabilities. Successful Restructurings of the Year (Turnarounds & Workouts)
Seadrill: Counsel to an ad hoc group of bondholders and new money investors in the global restructuring of Seadrill Limited and its affiliates, one of the world's largest offshore drilling contractors, involving $17 billion in liabilities. International Company Transaction of the Year (TMA Awards)

"He is a leader in the field. He sees every angle and gets best-in-class results for his clients."

Chambers USA, 2022

Education
J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, 1992
B.A., Brandeis University, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions
New Jersey
New York

Recognitions

Chambers Global, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2013-2024.
The American Lawyer, Northeast Trailblazers, 2021.
Honoree, Professor Lawrence P. King Award, Bankruptcy and Reorganization Group, UJA Federation of New York Lawyers Division, 2020.
Named a "Dealmaker of the Year" by The American Lawyer in 2020 for his role in representing the unsecured creditors committee in Sears' bankruptcy filing.
Legal 500 US recommends Ira Dizengoff in Finance – Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate, 2016-2023, and as a "Leading Lawyer," 2019-2023.
Law360 Bankruptcy MVP, 2018.
IFLR1000 US – Notable Practitioner in Restructuring and Insolvency, 2019.
Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a leading lawyer in the area of bankruptcy/restructuring, 2008-2023.
Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Business Lawyers, 2013-2020.
The Who’s Who Legal: Insolvency & Restructuring, 2016-2019.
Best of the Best Expert Guide, recognized as one of the top 30 restructuring and insolvency professionals in the world, 2017.
Best Lawyers in America, recognized as a leading lawyer in bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights / insolvency and reorganization law, 2011-2019.
New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2008-2018.
“Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers,” Turnarounds & Workouts, 2014.