Winston Expands Bankruptcy Practice

Winston & Strawn is pleased to announce that five attorneys have joined Winston & Strawn’s Charlotte office. Joining the firm as partners are Jo Ann J. Brighton and Felton E. Parrish. Lawrence E. Behning joins as counsel, and Nathan Lebioda and William Petraglia join as associates. The addition of this group adds both depth and geographic diversity to the firm’s national restructuring and bankruptcy practice while enhancing its footprint in Charlotte.

Jo Ann Brighton has more than 20 years of experience representing financial institutions and lenders in all areas of commercial and bankruptcy law, including syndicated DIP financings; litigation in bankruptcy court involving relief from stay motions; cash collateral; extension of exclusivity; DIP financing arrangements; disclosure statements and plans of reorganization; and negotiation, documentation, and restructuring of loan obligations. Additionally, Ms. Brighton represents real estate funds and investors in the acquisition and disposition of distressed commercial loans and loan portfolios, and in restructuring troubled real estate debt and equity investments.

Felton Parrish has 15 years of experience advising institutional lenders and other significant creditors in connection with the restructuring and enforcement of debt obligations. He also advises lenders on structuring financial transactions to minimize insolvency risk, and represents parties in interest in insolvency-related litigation. He is experienced in all aspects of complex Chapter 11 bankruptcies and has represented debtors, creditors, DIP financing lenders, and both purchasers and sellers in 363 sale transactions.

Larry Behning has focused his practice on finance and restructuring matters for more than 20 years. He is experienced in Chapter 11 proceedings with clients in multiple industries and has represented official committees of unsecured creditors. He also has represented lenders in extended workouts of credit facilities. Prior to embarking on his legal career, Mr. Behning worked in the financial services sector, most recently as Vice President in the workout group of First Fidelity Bank.

Nathan Lebioda is a seventh year associate who has represented clients in out-of-court restructurings, distressed acquisitions, and distressed counterparty risk assessment, including debtors, bankruptcy trustees, secured lenders, unsecured creditors, and equity sponsors. William Petraglia is a fourth year associate who has represented institutional creditors on in- and out-of-court restructuring and workout matters.