John K. Lyons

John K. Lyons represents major U.S. and international corporations, committees, lenders and boards of directors in complex business reorganizations, acquisitions and divestitures, typically in distressed situations.

Mr. Lyons has served as counsel in many significant business reorganizations, including as counsel for the official committee of unsecured creditors of American Airlines and its affiliates in their Chapter 11 reorganization, including representation of the committee in connection with fleet restructuring efforts with aircraft suppliers, financiers and lessors. This transaction was recognized in the Corporate & Commercial category in the Financial Times’ 2013 U.S. “Innovative Lawyers” report. He also has represented companies in other high-profile Chapter 11 cases, includingVeraSun Energy Corporation, one of the largest ethanol producers in the United States; Delphi Corporation, a leading global technology innovator and Tier 1 supplier to nearly every major automotive original equipment manufacturer; Interstate Bakeries Corporation, one of the largest wholesale bakers and distributors of fresh baked bread and sweet goods in the United States; Exodus Communications, Inc., the world’s largest Internet data center provider, in the sale of its international business to an affiliate of Cable & Wireless plc for $575 million through a fast-track Chapter 11 process; US Airways, Inc., one of the nation’s largest airlines, in the successful restructuring of its business in the wake of the events of September 11 and the economic downturn in the airline industry; Favorite Brands International, Inc., a manufacturer of candies and confectioneries, in connection with its successful restructuring and consequent sale of its business; Einstein/Noah Bagel Corp., a national bagel restaurateur with more than 400 stores; and Montgomery Ward, LLCin connection with the nation’s largest retail liquidation, which generated proceeds in excess of $1 billion.

Mr. Lyons also represented several clients in connection with fraud investigations and asset recovery efforts, including the special committee of the board of directors of ShengdaTech, Inc. to complete the committee’s investigation of ShengdaTech and to safeguard assets through Chapter 11 and foreign proceedings; Paliafito Americain connection with the successful collection of millions of dollars of assets from international debtors and principals through prejudgment seizure of assets and prosecution of preference actions; and a large commodity supplier in connection with the tracing and civil seizure of millions of assets from a top executive that embezzled money.

Mr. Lyons also has represented clients with respect to a wide array of corporate transactions in distressed situations, including the representation of Calliope Capital Corporation and affiliate lenders in connection with the Chapter 11 case filed by PPM Technologies and subsequent credit bid purchase of PPM’s business; Verizon Capital Corp. in the restructuring of two investments in power facilities in Massachusetts and Mississippi; and Faurecia N.A., a French automotive conglomerate, in the purchase of AP Automotive, Inc., a large American automotive parts supplier.

Mr. Lyons repeatedly has been listed as a “leader” in the corporate restructuring field in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. He was selected as a “leading lawyer” for commercial bankruptcy and workout law by the Leading Lawyers Network and also was included in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 and 2014. Mr. Lyons is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society that recognizes excellence among American litigation and trial counsel.