Debra Grassgreen

Debra Grassgreen

San Francisco, CA recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2003
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP

58 Best Lawyers awards

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Litigation - Bankruptcy

Biography

Ms. Grassgreen has significant experience representing debtors, trustees, and creditors’ committees in large chapter 11 cases nationwide and internationally. Ms. Grassgreen is an author and frequent speaker on various bankruptcy-related topics including the management of large and complex chapter 11 cases, the treatment of intellectual property rights in bankruptcy, issues in technology bankruptcy cases, cross-border bankruptcy issues, and issues facing individual chapter 11 debtors. Ms. Grassgreen participates in the United Nations working group (UNCITRAL) that has been developing a uniform international insolvency law and materials to assist countries in the adoption and implementation of insolvency legislation.

Ms. Grassgreen has been named by the Daily Journal as one of the top 100 women lawyers in California for several years, including in 2016. She is president of the International Insolvency Institute, a fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy, and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2001 for her work in both Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. She is listed in Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders—Global Elite 2019, one of only seven U.S.-based lawyers listed for Restructuring and Insolvency. Ms. Grassgreen holds an AV Preeminent Peer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell's highest recognition for ethical standards and legal ability, and is ranked among Bankruptcy/Restructuring attorneys by Chambers USA. Every year since 2010, she has been named a “Northern California Super Lawyer” by San Francisco Magazine. Ms. Grassgreen is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she also received her J.D., and is admitted to practice in Florida as well as California.

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP

58 Best Lawyers awards

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP logo

Overview

  • University of Florida, J.D., graduated 1991
  • University of Florida, B.S.B.A, graduated 1988

  • Florida, 1992
  • California, 1994

  • Advisory Committee of the American Bankruptcy Institute Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11 - Member
  • American College of Bankruptcy - Fellow
  • International Bar Association - Member
  • International Insolvency Institute - President
  • UNCITRAL - IWIRC Delegate
  • Florida, 1992
  • California, 1994
  • Advisory Committee of the American Bankruptcy Institute Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11 - Member
  • American College of Bankruptcy - Fellow
  • International Bar Association - Member
  • International Insolvency Institute - President
  • UNCITRAL - IWIRC Delegate
  • University of Florida, J.D., graduated 1991
  • University of Florida, B.S.B.A, graduated 1988

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy, San Francisco (2025)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, San Francisco (2017)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Awards:
  • Daily Journal: Top 100 Women Lawyers
  • Who’s Who Legal – Thought Leaders: Global Elite 2019
  • Chambers USA: Ranked for Bankruptcy/restructuring
  • Super Lawyers: Recognized in 2010-2020 editions for Bankruptcy

Case History

Cases
  • Weinstein Company Holdings
Committee counsel in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Weinstein Company Holdings LLC and its affiliates.
  • Payless Holdings
Counsel to the creditors' committee in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Payless Holdings.
  • American Suzuki Motor Corporation
Counsel to the American Suzuki Motor Corporation in its chapter 11 case.
  • Solyndra
Debtor’s counsel to Solyndra in its chapter 11 case.
  • Digital Domain
Lead counsel to Digital Domain in its chapter 11 case.
  • Mesa Air Group
Counsel to Mesa Air Group and its affiliated companies in their chapter 11 cases.
  • BCBG/Max Azria
Counsel to the creditors’ committee in the chapter 11 cases of BCBG/Max Azria.
  • SFX Entertainment
Counsel to the litigation trustee for SFX Entertainment.
  • Rdio
Counsel to the creditors' committee of Rdio.

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