Debtwire Interviews Lauren Leyden for Podcast on Distressed Labor Negotiations

Debtwire has published the podcast “Inefficiencies in Today’s Distressed Labor Negotiations,” featuring Akin Gump partner Lauren Leyden. Leyden, a member of the firm’s labor and employment practice, spoke about her unique practice and the many issues that arise at the intersection of labor and restructuring.

Leyden described her work as focusing on “human issues in special situations.” She represents debtors, lenders, committees and “pretty much any role you can have” in a bankruptcy, as well as those on the transactional side, including buyers, sellers and the board, if that is a separate interest. Continuing, she said she is “all about the workforce—unions, pensions, executives with #MeToo issues these days are a popular one, but it’s always in the context of a restructuring or transaction, what I call a time of change. … I’m not your transactional attorney, I’m not your restructuring attorney, I’m not your labor attorney. I lie somewhere where all those three things meet.”

Leyden then discussed the different types of obligations involved with labor negotiations, including pension and collective bargaining. She also addressed why distressed investors, lenders and potential bondholders to a company, and others need to be aware of these obligations.

The conversation also addressed some of the problems that consistently come up during distressed labor negotiations, why preparedness and creativity are so important, and why these issues cannot be ignored by the distressed buyside community.

To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here.