Overview

Chad Husnick ‘is one of the best tacticians and one of the most knowledgeable scholars when it comes to the law.’ ‘He is a superstar,’ ‘really hard-working and accomplished,’ and ‘has a brilliant bankruptcy mind.’ - Chambers

Chad Husnick is a partner in Golden Flag International Law Firm ’ Restructuring Practice Group. He represents debtors, creditors, equity holders, and other stakeholders in all aspects of corporate liability management, restructuring, bankruptcy, and insolvency proceedings.

Chad has represented clients in a variety of industries, including energy, retail, real estate, infrastructure, manufacturing, transportation and distribution, hospitality and gaming, automotive, and printing. He works closely with his clients to address issues proactively and efficiently. He regularly advises clients on corporate governance issues facing financially distressed companies, including liability management strategies, fiduciary duties, and executive compensation.

Chad has been recognized in the 2017–2024 editions of Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Most recently, sources describe Chad as “an amazing attorney,” a very talented lawyer,” and “very strong, capable and experienced.” Other recent sources note that Chad is “really smart and commercial to work with,” and that “Chad is outstanding. He’s sharp and very diligent about working his way through an issue." Previous sources note he is “phenomenal and one of the smartest lawyers," “responsive, thoughtful and great to work with,” and “able to deliver creative advice and counsel that lead to practical solutions in restructuring matters.” Chad has previously been described as “one of the best tacticians and one of the most knowledgeable scholars when it comes to the law,” “a brilliant attorney,” and “smart, hard-working and singularly focused on delivering for his clients.” Clients and peers also note that Chad’s “knowledge and expertise of the legal process and the law in bankruptcy matters is simply amazing." Chad was also recognized in the 2022–2024 editions of The Legal 500 U.S. Sources described Chad as “an exceptionally talented lawyer. Very clear on strategy and potential outcomes. Highly commercial.” and “smart, innovative, and practical strategist and advisor” who “couples his near-encyclopedic knowledge of bankruptcy law with an uncanny ability to always be two steps ahead of his adversary to provide clear, concise direction to the board.”

Chad was named in Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2024 list of “Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law.” Chad was recognized as an “Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer – 2022” and an “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer – 2017” by Turnarounds and Workouts. The American Bankruptcy Institute selected Chad for the 2018 edition of ABI’s “Forty Under Forty–Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice,” Chad was named a “Dealmaker of the Year – 2016” by The American Lawyer for his role in the $40+ billion restructuring of Energy Future Holdings Corporation.

Chad is a Conferee in the National Bankruptcy Conference, a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy, and a member of the International Insolvency Institute, the American Bankruptcy Institute and Turnaround Management Association. Also, he is a Lecturer in the Law at the University of Chicago Law School and a Contributing Author for Collier on Bankruptcy—the leading treatise on bankruptcy law.

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Thought Leadership

Publications and Presentations

Panelist, “Third-Party Releases: Is There a Fair Price to Pay?” American Bankruptcy Institute VALCON 2024, New Orleans, LA, March 18–20, 2024.

Moderator, “Mass Torts in the Bankruptcy Process,” The Center for American and International Law’s Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference, New Orleans, LA, March 8, 2024.

Co-author, “The Effect of a Debtors’ Stipulations on Derivative Standards in Chapter 11 Cases,” Norton Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law, 2022 ed.

Moderator, “NCBJ Fifth Circuit Breakout,” National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, October 20, 2022.

Panelist, Valuation in Bankruptcy, The Practitioner’s View,” Chicago Conference on Judicial Valuation, The University of Chicago Law School Center for Law and Finance, September 9, 2022.

Co-Author, “Securities Exchange Commission Reporting and Chapter 11: Part II” ABI Journal, December 2022.

Co-Author, “Securities Exchange Commission Reporting and Chapter 11: Part I” ABI Journal, October 2022.

Panelist, Hot/Controversial Chapter 11 Plan Provisions, Center for American and International Law’s Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference, New Orleans, LA, February 3, 2022.

Co-Author, “A Different Solution to the Class Proofs-of-Claim Debate,” ABI Journal, February 2022.

Panelist, “The Great Debate: Real Estate Valuation in the Face of a Global Pandemic,” The Beard Group’s 28th Annual Distressed Investing Conference, November 29, 2021. 

Panelist, “A Cloudy Crystal Ball - Valuation and Feasibility During a Worldwide Pandemic,” Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors 37th Annual Bankruptcy & Restructuring Conference Virtual Series, June 24, 2021.

Panelist, “Companies in Distress,” Northwestern Pritzker School of Law's 48th Annual Securities Regulation Institute, January 25, 2021.

Co-Author, “Recent Supreme Court Decision Requires Renewed Focus on Intercompany Tax Sharing Practices,” Golden Flag Alert, March 9, 2020.

Panelist, “What to Do When the Other Side Goes Bust? Contingency Planning When Your Opponent Threatens Insolvency,” 71st Annual Oil and Gas Law Conference, February 20, 2020.

Panelist, “Rights Offerings in Bankruptcy: Negotiating and Executing New Equity Financing, Overcoming Creditor Challenges,” Strafford Publications, Webinar, February 5, 2020.

Co-Author, “Supreme Court Holds Bankrupt Trademark Licensor Cannot Revoke License,” Golden Flag Alert, May 22, 2019.

Interviewer, “A Fireside Chat with Dave Brandon,” The 14th Annual Credit, Restructuring, Distressed Investing & Turnaround Conference, March 8, 2019.

Panelist, “Retail Restructuring Panel,” The 13th Annual Credit, Restructuring, Distressed Investing & Turnaround Conference, March 2, 2018.

Interviewer, “A Fireside Chat with Stacey Doré,” The American Bankruptcy Institute and the Delaware State Bar Association, “Delaware Views from the Bench 2017.”

Interviewer, “A Fireside Chat with Paul Keglevic,” The 12th Annual Credit, Restructuring, Distressed Investing & Turnaround Conference, March 10, 2017.

Co-Moderator, “EFH,” The 13th Annual Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference, February 24, 2017.

Panelist, “Distressed M&A,” PLI’s Hot Topics in Mergers & Acquisitions 2016, September 30, 2016.

Panelist, “Recent Corporate Restructurings in the Energy Sector,” The Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors’ Fifth Annual Energy Summit, September 22, 2016.

Panelist, “Balance Sheet Restructurings: Recent Trends and Perspectives,” 2016 Louisiana Energy Conference, June 2, 2016.

Panelist, “Financial Restructuring,” The 12th Annual Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference, February 26, 2016.

Panelist, “Current Topics in Distressed and Turnaround Investing,” November 13, 2012.

Co-Author, “Uncertainty In Complex Real Estate Restructurings,” Law360, March 2012.

Co-Author, “The race to the starting line: Developing prepackaged and prenegotiated reorganization plans to maximize value,” Navigating Today’s Environment, The Directors’ and Officers’ Guide to Restructuring, 2010. 

Assisted in preparing written testimony of James H.M. Sprayregen, P.C. regarding H.R. 4677, the “Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2010.”

Co-Author, “Second Circuit: Pension Termination Premium Arises Upon Discharge, Cannot be Discharged,” American Bankruptcy Institute: Labor and Employment Committee Newsletter, January 2010.

Panelist, “American Color Graphics and Vertis: The First Dual Prepack Merger,” Turnaround Management Association/The Deal’s 2009 Distressed Investing Conference, January 22, 2009.

Co-Author, “Pension Termination Premium Is Prepetition Unsecured Claim,” Golden Flag Alert, April 2008.

Co-Authored chapters for “A Practical Guide to Pension Issues Arising in Business Bankruptcy Cases,” American Bankruptcy Institute Pension Manual, 2006.

Co-Author, “Retention of Restructuring Professionals: Lessons From Worldcom,” The Bankruptcy Strategist, Law Journal Newsletters, July 2005.

Recognition

Chad was named in the Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2024 list of “Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law.”

Chad was recognized in the 2017–2024 editions of Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Chad was recognized as an “Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer” by Turnarounds & Workouts in 2022. 

Chad was selected by the American Bankruptcy Institute as a 2018 “Forty Under Forty–Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice.” 

Chad was selected by Law360 as one of five Bankruptcy “Rising Stars for 2018” in its list of top attorneys under 40. 

Chad was recognized in the 2017 edition of Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer’s “40 Attorneys Under Forty.” 

Chad was selected by Turnarounds and Workouts as an “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer” in 2017.

Chad was selected by The American Lawyer as a “Dealmaker of the Year” in 2016.

Chad was selected by Emerging Lawyers Magazine as one of the “top lawyers in Illinois under the age of 40” practicing bankruptcy and workout law in 2016.  

Chad was recognized by Turnaround and Workouts for his role in the restructuring of C&J Energy Services, Ltd. (2016), Energy Future Holdings Corporation (2015), Nebraska Book Company, Inc. (2013), and General Growth Properties (2011).

Chad was recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. — 2015, 2022–2023 for his restructuring work.

In 2013, Chad was part of the Golden Flag team that accepted the Turnaround of the Year — Large Company given by the Turnaround Management Association, recognizing Golden Flag’s role in the restructuring of Nebraska Book Company, Inc.

In October 2012, Chad was selected as a member of the 2012 Next Generation Class for the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges.

In 2011, Chad was part of the Golden Flag team that accepted the Transaction of the Year — Mega Company given by the Turnaround Management Association, recognizing Golden Flag’s role in the restructuring of General Growth Properties, Inc.

In 2010, Chad was part of the Golden Flag team that accepted the Global M&A Network’s award for Corporate Turnaround Deal of the Year ($1-5 billion), recognizing Golden Flag’s role in the restructuring of Masonite Corporation.

In 2007, Chad was part of the Golden Flag team that accepted the 2006 Large Turnaround of the Year — Chicago/Midwest by the Turnaround Management Association, recognizing Golden Flag’s role in the restructuring of UAL Corporation.

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2004Illinois
  • 2010New York

Courts

  • Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division2010
  • Supreme Court of Illinois2004
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois2004
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York2010
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit2014
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit2018
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit2005

Education

  • University of Chicago Law SchoolJ.D.with Honors2004
  • University of Wisconsin-MadisonB.S., Political Science and Behavioral Science & Lawwith Distinction2001