- Representing 225 Bowery LLC, the owner of a NYC boutique hotel (formerly known as the Ace Hotel) in its ongoing Chapter 11 case. (Bankr. D. Del.).
- Representing UnitedHealthcare with its interests in the Chapter 11 cases filed by Envision HealthCare Corporation and its affiliates. (Bankr. S.D. Tex.).
- Representing Wilmington Trust, as collateral agent, in connection with the Chapter 11 cases filed by Endo International plc. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y).
- Representing the Court Appointed German Insolvency Administrator of Greensill Bank (AG) with certain investments and other interests Greensill Bank (AG) has in the United States and in Europe.
- Represented Qatar Airways in connection with its participation in a multibillion-dollar DIP loan to LATAM Airlines Group S.A. (LATAM), Latin America’s leading airline group, as well as all matters related to Qatar Airways’ participation in, and support of, LATAM’s Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
- Represented a New York City real estate owner and developer in the acquisition of mortgage loans and a DIP facility totaling approximately $50 million, and utilizing those loans to acquire title to the debtor’s building through a Chapter 11 free and clear sale. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y).
- Represented the Il Mulino Restaurant Group, one of the country’s premier Italian luxury dining restaurant brands, in its Chapter 11 proceedings. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y).
- Represented Credit Suisse as administrative agent and lead lender in a $1.9 billion DIP loan to Chapter 11 debtor Walter Investment Management Corp. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
- Represented a private equity fund in the prosecution and settlement of objections to the Chapter 11 plan of reorganization of Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc., one of the largest U.S. tanker operators. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
- Special counsel to Chemtura Corporation, one of the largest publicly traded specialty chemical companies in the U.S. with a market valuation of over $2 billion, in its Chapter 11 proceedings, leading to the confirmation of a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization that resulted in creditors receiving 100% on account of their claims. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
Partner,
- Phone: +1 212 210 9509
- Email: gerard.catalanello@alston.com
Gerard's clients rely on him to provide practical counsel while handling their most complex bankruptcy matters. Clients ranging from financial institutions to debtors trust him with Chapter 11 cases with billions of dollars at stake.
- Represented Wilmington Trust, as indenture trustee, in connection with the Chapter 11 case of the bank holding company Stonebridge Financial Corp. (Bankr. D. Del.).
- Represented a plan sponsor group in the negotiation and prosecution of a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization of the New York City Opera Inc. (NYCO) through trial, leading to NYCO’s successful emergence from bankruptcy. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
- Represented the GFGI Liquidation Trust created under the Chapter 11 plan of liquidation of Guaranty Holdings Inc. in connection with the Trust’s pursuit and settlement of claims arising from the collapse of the bank holding company that resulted in a distribution to creditors of approximately $300 million. (Bankr. N.D. Tex.).
- Counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Orleans Homebuilders Inc. Chapter 11 proceedings involving one of the largest and oldest residential builders in the Northeast. (Bankr. D. Del.).
- Counsel to Taberna Capital Management, a CDO manager, as a member of the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Tarragon Corporation Chapter 11 proceedings involving a publicly traded residential real estate developer with assets of approximately $1 billion. (Bankr. D. N.J.).
- Counsel to Taberna Capital Management, a CDO manager, as a member of the official committee of unsecured creditors in the General Growth Properties Inc. Chapter 11 proceedings involving one of the largest mall owners and operators in the U.S. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
- Counsel to Devon Mobile Communications LP, an owner and operator of PCS licenses throughout the Northeast, in the sale of substantially all of its assets (licenses and telcom infrastructure) to major telecommunications companies under a Chapter 11 plan of liquidation. (Bankr. D. Del.).
- Counsel to the former chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Chapter 11 debtor Personal Communications Devices, LLC in the litigation and settlement of claims and counterclaims in excess of $150 million. (Bankr. E.D.N.Y.).
- Counsel to certain members of the Rigas family, founders of Adelphia Communications Corp., in their defense of claims and actions totalling more than $3 billion brought by the Adelphia bankruptcy estate, including the negotiation of a tripartite agreement among the Rigas family, the Department of Justice and the Adelphia bankruptcy estate for the establishment of a $750 million fund. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
- Counsel to ICC Industries, Inc. in the Chapter 11 restructuring of Pharmaceutical Formulations, Inc., a publicly traded subsidiary that manufactured and distributed over-the-counter generic pharmaceuticals. (Bankr. D. Del.).
Gerard Catalanello is chair of Alston & Bird's Financial Restructuring & Reorganization Group. He focuses his practice on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights law. He represents lenders, funds, financial institutions, liquidation trusts, equity holders, debtors, indenture trustees, and acquirers of assets of troubled companies in formal bankruptcy proceedings as well as in out-of-court workouts.
Gerard has served as counsel to official committees of unsecured creditors in a wide variety of Chapter 11 cases and has represented several institutions in negotiating and selling millions of dollars of claims in major Chapter 11 cases. He has represented liquidation and creditor trusts in analyzing and prosecuting Chapter 5 causes of actions, including fraudulent conveyance and preferences claims under confirmed Chapter 11 plans of liquidation. Gerard was named to The Best Lawyers in America® for 2023-2025 in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization, and is recognized by Chambers USA in Bankruptcy/Restructuring–New York.
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Press Release June 6, 2024Alston & Bird Increases Practices and Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2024Alston & Bird has received significant recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with 73 practice rankings and 153 leading lawyer listings.Press Release June 6, 2024Alston & Bird Increases Practices and Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2024Alston & Bird has received significant recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with 73 practice rankings and 153 leading lawyer listings.
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Press Release October 6, 2023Alston & Bird Recognized by the Turnaround Management AssociationAlston & Bird was recognized by the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) at the 2023 TMA Annual Conference in two categories.Press Release October 6, 2023Alston & Bird Recognized by the Turnaround Management AssociationAlston & Bird was recognized by the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) at the 2023 TMA Annual Conference in two categories.
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Press Release May 19, 2023LATAM Airlines’ Chapter 11 Case Wins “Deal of the Year” in Restructuring from the IFLRAlston & Bird is pleased to announce that the LATAM Airlines Chapter 11 case has been recognized by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) as “Deal of the Year” in the Restructuring category at its Americas Awards 2023. In the matter, Alston & Bird represented Qatar Airways in its capacity as DIP lender, plan sponsor, and equity security holder.Press Release May 19, 2023LATAM Airlines’ Chapter 11 Case Wins “Deal of the Year” in Restructuring from the IFLRAlston & Bird is pleased to announce that the LATAM Airlines Chapter 11 case has been recognized by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) as “Deal of the Year” in the Restructuring category at its Americas Awards 2023. In the matter, Alston & Bird represented Qatar Airways in its capacity as DIP lender, plan sponsor, and equity security holder.
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Press Release November 15, 2022LATAM Airlines’ Chapter 11 Case Wins First Annual “International Matter of the Year” by the American Bankruptcy InstituteAlston & Bird is pleased to announce that the LATAM Airlines Chapter 11 case, in which it represented Qatar Airways in its capacity as DIP lender, plan sponsor, and equity security holder, has been recognized by the American Bankruptcy Institute as the first annual “International Matter of the Year.”Press Release November 15, 2022LATAM Airlines’ Chapter 11 Case Wins First Annual “International Matter of the Year” by the American Bankruptcy InstituteAlston & Bird is pleased to announce that the LATAM Airlines Chapter 11 case, in which it represented Qatar Airways in its capacity as DIP lender, plan sponsor, and equity security holder, has been recognized by the American Bankruptcy Institute as the first annual “International Matter of the Year.”
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Spectrum July 2022Structured Finance Spectrum – July 2022Welcome to the latest edition of the Spectrum, covering hot-topic issues in the structured finance markets in the U.S. and UK. Guest edited by our London team, this edition focuses on the opportunities that come from stressed markets – how the C-PACE space continues to grow apace, super scheme cross-class cram-down mechanisms, and NPLs through an ESG looking glass.Spectrum July 2022Structured Finance Spectrum – July 2022Welcome to the latest edition of the Spectrum, covering hot-topic issues in the structured finance markets in the U.S. and UK. Guest edited by our London team, this edition focuses on the opportunities that come from stressed markets – how the C-PACE space continues to grow apace, super scheme cross-class cram-down mechanisms, and NPLs through an ESG looking glass.
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In the News May 26, 2022Law360 | Alston & Bird Adds Bankruptcy Partners from Gibson DunnEric Wise and Matthew Kelsey are featured and quoted for joining the firm as financial restructuring and reorganization partners in the New York office and Gerard Catalanello is quoted on their joining.In the News May 26, 2022Law360 | Alston & Bird Adds Bankruptcy Partners from Gibson DunnEric Wise and Matthew Kelsey are featured and quoted for joining the firm as financial restructuring and reorganization partners in the New York office and Gerard Catalanello is quoted on their joining.
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In the News May 17, 2022Global Restructuring Review | Alston & Bird Continues Expansion with New York Partner HiresEric Wise and Matthew Kelsey are featured for joining the firm as financial restructuring and reorganization partners in the New York office, and Gerard Catalanello is quoted on their joining.In the News May 17, 2022Global Restructuring Review | Alston & Bird Continues Expansion with New York Partner HiresEric Wise and Matthew Kelsey are featured for joining the firm as financial restructuring and reorganization partners in the New York office, and Gerard Catalanello is quoted on their joining.
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General Publications May 10, 2022“Private Student Loan Debt and the Exception to Discharge As Viewed Through the Eyes of the Circuit Courts,” LAW.COM, May 10, 2022.This article discusses the factors that courts have considered and will likely continue to consider when addressing dischargeability of private student loans under the Bankruptcy Code, and a cautionary word for practitioners considering whether to put forth an argument to the contrary.General Publications May 10, 2022“Private Student Loan Debt and the Exception to Discharge As Viewed Through the Eyes of the Circuit Courts,” LAW.COM, May 10, 2022.This article discusses the factors that courts have considered and will likely continue to consider when addressing dischargeability of private student loans under the Bankruptcy Code, and a cautionary word for practitioners considering whether to put forth an argument to the contrary.
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In the News May 6, 2022Global Restructuring Review | Alston & Bird Picks Up New Partner in Atlanta and Counsel in New YorkLeah Fiorenza McNeill is noted as a new financial restructuring and reorganization partner in the firm’s Atlanta office; Stephen Blank is mentioned as a financial restructuring and reorganization counsel in the New York office; and Gerard Catalanello is quoted on their joining.In the News May 6, 2022Global Restructuring Review | Alston & Bird Picks Up New Partner in Atlanta and Counsel in New YorkLeah Fiorenza McNeill is noted as a new financial restructuring and reorganization partner in the firm’s Atlanta office; Stephen Blank is mentioned as a financial restructuring and reorganization counsel in the New York office; and Gerard Catalanello is quoted on their joining.
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Press Release May 2, 2022Alston & Bird Strengthens Restructuring Practice by Adding Partner Leah Fiorenza McNeill and Counsel Stephen BlankAlston & Bird has strengthened its Financial Restructuring & Reorganization Group with the additions of partner Leah Fiorenza McNeill in Atlanta and counsel Stephen Blank in New York. Both attorneys have considerable experience representing major stakeholders in Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court workouts, and their arrival demonstrates the firm’s commitment to strategic growth and development of the group as economic markets continue to show signs of disruption and uncertainty.Press Release May 2, 2022Alston & Bird Strengthens Restructuring Practice by Adding Partner Leah Fiorenza McNeill and Counsel Stephen BlankAlston & Bird has strengthened its Financial Restructuring & Reorganization Group with the additions of partner Leah Fiorenza McNeill in Atlanta and counsel Stephen Blank in New York. Both attorneys have considerable experience representing major stakeholders in Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court workouts, and their arrival demonstrates the firm’s commitment to strategic growth and development of the group as economic markets continue to show signs of disruption and uncertainty.
Bar Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
Education
- Fordham University (LL.M., 1996)
- Touro College (J.D., 1992)
- Adelphi University (B.A., 1989)
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association