Meredith Lahaie Named to Global Restructuring Review’s 40 Under 40 List
(New York) – Akin Gump financial restructuring partner Meredith Lahaie has been named to Global Restructuring Review’s 40 Under 40 list for 2016—a list of the world’s leading young restructuring lawyers, aged 40 and under. According to the publication, the list is the result of months of in-depth research and analysis, following nominations by GRR readers.
Ms. Lahaie’s practice includes the representation of debtors, creditors and bondholders in large, complex chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings.
In the profile Q&A published on the occasion of her recognition, Ms. Lahaie discussed the following topics, among others:
- Why restructuring? “At the outset of my career, I was fortunate enough to obtain a bankruptcy clerkship in the Southern District of New York with the Honorable Adlai Hardin. My clerkship role gave me a unique perspective into large complex Chapter 11 cases – during my tenure I saw, among other cases, Delta Air Lines, Vincent Hospitals and Metromedia Fiber Network.”
- What makes a “good” restructuring lawyer? “Given the fast-paced nature of what we do, a good restructuring lawyers is someone with the ability to keep a lot of balls in the air at all times, someone who is quick on their feet and appropriately focused on the details. Good people-management skills are also important because a lot of what we do is predicated on the ability to achieve consensual resolution in a difficult environment with different personalities and potentially conflicting interests.”
- Advice to young lawyers “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – learning from mistakes allows you to grow and learn. Focus not only on the big things but also the little things – attention to detail is crucial. And no matter how junior you are, do not be afraid to speak up – a lot of what we do is about thinking outside of the box and employing creativity.”
Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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