Matthew Barr is a partner in the New York office of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy and a member of the firm’s Financial Restructuring Group.
Primary Focus & Experience
A partner since 2004, Mr. Barr has extensive experience in representing debtors and creditors in chapter 11 reorganization cases and out-of-court restructurings both in the US and internationally. In addition, Mr. Barr’s experience also includes representing acquirers and sellers of assets of chapter 11 debtors and financially distressed companies; hedge funds and other financial institutions acquiring controlling positions in financially distressed companies, both in and out of court; and negotiating debtor in possession financing and exiting financing facilities. His engagements have ranged across a wide array of industries, including retail, telecommunication, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, energy, automotive, apparel, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, project finance and shipping. Mr. Barr has played a leadership role in these matters, frequently as counsel to the company or official and unofficial committees and large debt or equity holders. Mr. Barr has drawn upon his broad experience to develop and advise clients on practical solutions and build the consensus required to implement these solutions.
Mr. Barr’s experience includes representing the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (A&P) and its affiliates; Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Refco, Inc. and its affiliates; Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and its affiliates; Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Enron Corp. and its affiliates; Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Charys Holding Company, Inc. and its affiliates; Parking Company Airports America (PCAA) and its affiliates (as chapter 11 debtors in possession); ProtoStar Ltd., and its affiliates (as chapter 11 debtors in possession); Intermet Corp., and its affiliates (as chapter 11 debtors in possession); Satélites Mexicanos S.A. de C.V. (as chapter 11 debtors in possession); Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., L&H Holdings USA, Inc., and Dictaphone Corporation (as chapter 11 debtors in possession); Fruit of the Loom, Inc. and affiliates (as chapter 11 debtors in possession); Salant Corporation (as chapter 11 debtor in possession); Rickel Home Centers, Inc. and affiliates (as chapter 11 debtors in possession); Capmark Financial Group (as counsel for an ad hoc committee of bank lenders); Lyondell Chemical Company (as counsel to an ad hoc committee of senior secured lenders); Nebraska Book Company, Inc. (counsel to ad hoc committee of bondholders); General Motors Corporation (counsel to indenture trustees with respect to leveraged lease financings); Washington Mutual (counsel to significant debt holder); Bernard Chaus, Inc. and affiliates (out-of-court restructuring); Calpine Corporation (counsel to convertible noteholders); Scotia Pacific Company (counsel to proposed DIP Lender); Movie Gallery, Inc. (counsel to 2nd Lien Agent); Tower Automotive, Inc. (counsel to 2nd Lien Agent); Wolverine Tube, Inc. (counsel to ad hoc committee of noteholders); aaiPharma Inc. (counsel to ad hoc committee of noteholders); Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Dyersburg Corporation and its affiliates; Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota f/k/a Norwest Bank Minnesota, as Indenture Trustee with respect to Senior Subordinated Debentures and member of Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in chapter 11 cases of Global Ocean Carriers, Limited; CIBC, as agent to secured lenders to manufacturing company; J.P. Morgan Chase, as agent to secured lenders in chapter 11 cases of Pathmark Stores, Inc. and affiliates; J.P. Morgan Chase, as agent to secured lenders in chapter 11 cases of Burnham Service Corporation and affiliates; Superhero Enterprises, Inc./Snyder Venture, Inc., largest unsecured creditor in chapter 11 cases of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and affiliates; MeesPierson Holdings, Inc., as holder of preferred stock in chapter 11 cases of Criimi Mae and affiliates; and others.
Recognition & Accomplishments
Mr. Barr was recognized as one of the Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyers by Turnarounds & Workouts in 2007 and is currently listed in Chambers USA, Lawdragon, Legal 500, and Guide to World's Leading Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyers (Legal Media Group). Chambers USA described Mr. Barr as "tremendously bright, responsive and reliable" and is recommended as a talented bankruptcy attorney and "a measured, strong advocate."