Doug Mannal
Doug is a partner in the Business Restructuring + Insolvency Group, based in the New York office.
Doug’s practice focuses on representing clients in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, and other distressed situations. His clients include official creditors’ committees, ad hoc creditor groups, and individual asset managers, as well as corporate borrowers.
On behalf of creditors, Doug implements strategies focused on maximizing creditor recoveries and he has significant experience proposing and confirming plans of reorganization; investigating and prosecuting various estate causes of action; negotiating intercreditor disputes; crafting cash collateral orders, debtor-in-possession/exit financing packages, and creditor-sponsored equity rights offerings; challenging confirmation of nonconsensual chapter 11 plans; terminating exclusivity; participating in 363 sales; and implementing and defending against coercive liability management transactions. On the company side, Doug counsels borrowers navigating the complex legal, financial, and operational issues that arise in distressed situations, implementing both in- and out-of-court restructurings aimed at preserving value.
Doug has been recognized for over a decade in Chambers USA, where he is acclaimed as a “force of nature” and an “adept architect of the restructuring process.” Turnarounds & Workouts recognized him as an Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer in 2020 and 2017 and he is recognized as a Leading Global Restructuring Lawyer by Lawdragon 500.
Doug has a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. in government and law from Lafayette College.
Experience
In re Thrasio Holdings, Inc., et al.
(Bankr. D.N.J.) Counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors of Thrasio Holdings, Inc. and its affiliated debtors in their chapter 11 cases. Thrasio is an acquisition entrepreneurship company that focuses on acquiring and scaling businesses within the Amazon third-party seller ecosystem.
In re Fisker Inc., et al.
(Bankr. Del.) Counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors of Fisker, Inc. and its affiliated debtors in their chapter 11 cases. Fisker is a U.S.-based electric vehicle company that developed eco-friendly cars.
In re Nikola Corporation et al.
(Bankr. Del.) Counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors of Nikola Corporation and its affiliated debtors in their chapter 11 cases. Nikola is a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions.
In re American Tire Distributors, Inc. et al.
(Bankr. Del.) Counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors of American Tire Distributors, Inc. and its affiliated debtors in their chapter 11 cases. American Tire Distributors is the largest seller of replacement tires in the U.S.
In re RunItOneTime LLC, et al.
(Bankr. S.D.Tex) Counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors of RunItOneTime LLC d/b/a Maverick Gaming LLC and its affiliated debtors in their chapter 11 cases. Maverick Gaming is a regional gaming and entertainment company operating cardrooms and casinos across multiple states.
M360
Counsel to M360, a private mortgage REIT, in its restructuring and wind down, advising on debt amendments, equity holder litigation, and related corporate matters.
Thrasio Legacy Trust
Counsel to Thrasio Legacy Trust in litigation asserting more than 20 causes of action against Thrasio’s former founders and officers, seeking over $ 1 billion in damages.
In re Gulfport Energy Corporation, et al.
(Bank. S.D. Tex) Counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors of Gulfport Energy Corporation, in connection with its successful Chapter 11 restructuring. Gulfport Energy Corporation is an independent natural gas and oil exploration and production company primarily focused on developing assets in the Utica Shale of Ohio and the SCOOP play in Oklahoma.
In re Alpha Media Holdings LLC, et al.
(Bank. D. Del.) Counsel to an ad hoc group of lenders, including Intermediate Capital Group, in connection with the successful Chapter 11 restructuring of Alpha Media. Alpha Media is a leading operator of more than 200 radio stations across the United States.
In re McClatchy Company, et al.
(Bank. S.D.N.Y.) Counsel to Brigade Capital Management LP in a joint bid with Chatham Asset Management LP, in connection with their Chapter 11 restructuring of McClatchy. McClatchy publishes 30 newspapers nationwide, including the Miami Herald, the Kansas City Star, and the Sacramento Bee.
In re Frontier Communications Corporation, et al.
(Bank. S.D.N.Y.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in connection with its successful Chapter 11 restructuring. Frontier Communications is a major provider of broadband and telecommunications services in the United States.
In re California Resources Corporation, et al.
(Bank. S.D. Tex.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in connection with the successful Chapter 11 restructuring. California Resources is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company focused on California.
In re Bristow Group Inc., et al.
(Bank. S.D. Tex.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Bristow Group Inc., in connection with the company’s successful Chapter 11 restructuring. Bristow Group is one of the world’s leading providers of industrial aviation services.
In re Nine West Holdings, Inc., et al.
(Bank. S.D.N.Y.) Counsel to Brigade Capital Management in connection with its interest in the Chapter 11 cases of Nine West Holdings Inc. Nine West is a footwear and apparel retailer with a portfolio of fashion brands.
In re Seadrill Limited, et al.
(Bank. S.D. Tex.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Seadrill Ltd., in connection with its Chapter 11 restructuring. Seadrill is one of the world’s largest offshore drilling companies.
In re CHC Group Ltd., et al.
(Bank. N.D. Tex.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of CHC Group Ltd., in connection with its Chapter 11 restructuring. CHC Group is the largest commercial helicopter service provider to the oil and gas industry.
In re Arch Coal, Inc., et al.
(Bank. E.D. Mo.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the bankruptcy cases of Arch Coal, Inc. Arch Coal is the second-largest holder of coal reserves in the United States.
In re Residential Capital, LLC, et al.
(Bank. S.D.N.Y.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in connection with its successful Chapter 11 restructuring. Residential Capital was a leading originator and servicer of residential mortgage loans in the United States.
In re General Maritime Corporation, et al.
(Bank. S.D.N.Y.) Counsel to General Maritime Corporation in their Chapter 11 cases, structuring a $75 million DIP facility and negotiating a restructuring support agreement with secured creditors that contemplated a $175 million new capital infusion. General Maritime is one of the largest shipping companies to ever file for bankruptcy.
In re Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. et al.
(Bank. N.D. Ill.) Counsel to an ad hoc group of bondholders for more than $4 billion in first lien bonds issued by Caesars Entertainment Operating Company in connection with their Chapter 11 cases.
Neways Out-of-Court Restructuring
Counsel to American Capital Ltd., as agent and lender, in connection with an out-of-court restructuring of loans to Neways. Neways is a Utah-based international multilevel marketer of beauty and nutritional products.
In re Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc., et al.
(Bank. Del.) Counsel to the Official Creditors Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation. Smurfit-Stone was the second-largest manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging products in North America.
In re AbitibiBowater Inc., et al.
(Bank. Del.) Counsel to an ad hoc group of bondholders and lenders of $206 million in DIP financing to AbitibiBowater Inc. AbitibiBowater was the world’s largest producer of newsprint by capacity and a major pulp and paper manufacturer.
In re Orchard Brands, Inc. et al.
(Bank. Del.) Counsel to American Capital Ltd., the largest creditor and bank agent, in connection with a $140 million debtor-in-possession financing and successful restructuring of Orchard Brands, Inc.
In re Dura Automotive Systems, LLC, et al.
(Bank. Del.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the bankruptcy of Dura Automotive Systems, Inc. Dura Automotive was a leading designer and manufacturer of automotive systems with annual sales exceeding $2.3 billion.
In re Dana Corporation, et al.
(Bank. S.D.N.Y.) Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Dana Corporation. Dana was a leading supplier of automotive parts to major vehicle producers worldwide. This case involved numerous issues impacting creditor recovery and the ability of Dana to successfully reorganize, including the large-scale divestitures of unprofitable business segments, pension and other post-retirement medical benefits, intercompany claims, the appropriateness of restrictions on trading securities to preserve Dana’s NOL, potential asbestos liabilities, negotiations with customers and suppliers, and other issues common to automotive suppliers.
In re W.R. Grace & Co., et al.
(Bank. Del.) Counsel to the Official Equity Committee in the landmark Chapter 11 bankruptcy of W.R. Grace, a leading specialty chemicals and materials company. The case involved complex issues including valuation and treatment of present and future asbestos claims, negotiation of a reorganization plan, and defending it on appeal to the district court and the Third Circuit, paving the way for a substantial distribution to equityholders. After more than 12 years, the company emerged as a going concern.
Rankings
Recommended in the area of Corporate Restructuring
The Legal 500 US 2024-2025
Ranked for Bankruptcy/Restructuring in New York
Chambers USA 2013-2025
Recognized as an Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer
Turnarounds & Workouts, 2020, 2017
Recognized as a Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyer
Lawdragon USA 500, 2021–2022
Recognized as a Leading Global Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyer
Lawdragon Global 500, 2020