Effective Communication Strategies in Bankruptcy Proceedings

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Jon Henes, founder and CEO of C Street, is one of the leading restructuring, corporate governance and crisis advisors in the country. After 20 years as a senior partner in the Restructuring Group at Kirkland & Ellis, Jon founded C Street, a market-defining strategic communications firm dedicated to helping clients navigate complex special situations, including restructurings, liability management transactions, workouts, and chapter 11 cases. Over his career, Jon has advised boards of directors, companies, and financial sponsors across the spectrum of the economy, including crypto-currency, retail, technology, automotive, energy, industrials, printing, media, radio broadcasting, television, healthcare, education, airlines, sports, real estate, and publishing. Jon is known for his client-first focus and creativity, as he pioneered the first one-day chapter 11 case in history and helped a multitude of clients fix their balance sheet and operations in some of the most sophisticated transactions in the industry. Jon is described by Chambers as “very practical, creative and has an exceptional ability to sort out what is really important. Strategically, he understands the end goals.” Moreover, “he is a veteran and someone who can help forge solutions on complex cases.” Jon is noted as a “terrific solution-oriented and collaborative advisor” who “understands the big picture and works relentlessly to achieve results.” Jon is also involved in many philanthropic and political activities. Notably, Jon is the Chair of the Board of the Vice President’s Residence Foundation, and the Co-Founder of the Foundation for Education in Honduras (FEIH). He serves on the Advisory Board of the Black Economic Alliance, and the Boards of Directors of FEIH and CaringKind, the Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving, and is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. Jon served as the National Finance Chair for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2020 Presidential Campaign, and also as a finance chair for Ray McGuire’s 2021 New York City Mayoral Campaign. As a leading advisor, Jon has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, and Yahoo Finance, as well as in publications, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times, Bloomberg, and USA Today. Jon has lectured at esteemed institutions, including Harvard Business School, Penn Law School, and New York University. Jon earned his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review, and recently taught as an adjunct professor.

Josh Sussberg is a member of the Kirkland & Ellis’s Executive Committee and is a partner in the Restructuring Practice Group. Most recently recognized by The American Lawyer as a 2024 Dealmaker of the Year, Josh has been described as “the nation's leading restructuring lawyer.” Josh was recognized by Forbes in its 2024 inaugural list of the Top 200 Lawyers in America, with Forbes noting, “Sussberg is a go-to restructuring lawyer who is widely considered a leading lawyer in the field.” Josh is an adjunct professor at The Wharton School and Syracuse University, and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. The New York Law Journal recognized Josh as a “Dealmaker of the Year” at its 2023 New York Legal Awards. Josh was identified as one of the top 100 Restructuring Professionals, “Distinction in Dealmaking” by the Global M&A Network. Josh was also recognized as a “Market Leader” in the 2022 and 2021 IFLR 1000. In August 2022, Josh was recognized by Business Insider as one of the top 16 Bankruptcy lawyers in the country. Josh was recognized by The Deal as the 2021 Debtor Counsel of the Year (Large Cap) and a Law360 2021 MVP. Also a Law360 2019 MVP, Josh was recognized in the 2019 Legal 500 and the 2019 IFLR1000, and Josh was also named an Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer by Turnarounds & Workouts in December 2018, recognizing 15 lawyers nationwide who are leaders in the bankruptcy field. The Deal recognized Josh as the 2018 Consumer/Retail Lawyer of the Year following representations of companies including Toys R Us, BCBG, Gymboree, Mood Media, and Charming Charlie. The 2018 Legal 500 recognized Josh as “tireless and super bright” and a key member of “one of the most pre-eminent law firms for US restructuring.” In May 2019, Josh was awarded the first-ever Young Leadership Award by UJA-Federation of New York Bankruptcy and Reorganization Group. In 2017, Josh was selected to the American Bankruptcy Institute’s inaugural “40 under 40” list, recognizing bankruptcy, insolvency, and restructuring professionals from around the world. Josh was named an Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer by Turnarounds & Workouts in 2014. Josh was recognized as a “New York Super Lawyer” in Super Lawyers magazine's 2013–2018 rankings. Previously, he had been recognized as a "Rising Star" in 2011 and 2012.

Jonathan Tibus is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal North American Commercial Restructuring in Atlanta. He specializes in developing and implementing performance improvement plans for companies in the retail and restaurant industries and has over 25 years of experience in interim management and financial advisory roles. Mr. Tibus recently held several management roles, where he had overall operational, financial, and strategic responsibilities. He served as Financial Advisor to California Pizza Kitchen and as CEO to Kona Grill, Inc., Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. (Chevy’s, El Torito, Sinequal, Las Brisas), Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc. (Joe’s Crab Shack, Brickhouse Tavern), and Last Call Operating Co. (Fox & Hound, Champps). Mr. Tibus served as Operating Officer for Max & Erma’s and Chief Restructuring Officer for the Krystal Company, and Quiznos. He also has extensive experience advising lenders, creditors, and other stakeholders. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Tibus was a Manager in the consulting practice of a Big Five firm. Mr. Tibus earned a bachelor's degree from Florida State University, and an MBA from The University of Florida.

Mr. Schwartz is a Managing Director and member of the North American Investment Team, with a particular focus on global restructurings involving bankruptcies, administrations, workouts, and litigations. Prior to joining SVP, Mr. Schwartz was an Associate in the Transactional group of Arnold & Porter LLP, where he focused on representing investment funds in acquisitions, divestitures, financings, and restructuring transactions. Before this, Mr. Schwartz was an Associate in the Mergers and Acquisitions group of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Mr. Schwartz holds a BA from Wesleyan University, where he double majored in Economics and Psychology, and a JD from Harvard Law School.