Debra McElligott Sinclair

Debra Sinclair is U.S. Co-Chair of the Restructuring Department and Chair of the Company Restructuring & Reorganization practice. Debra represents debtors, lenders, official committees of unsecured creditors, and ad hoc creditor groups comprised of hedge funds, financial institutions and other sophisticated investors in distressed situations. She advises clients on all aspects of complex chapter 11 cases and has experience with distressed acquisitions, bankruptcy litigation, cross-border matters and out-of-court restructurings. She has represented parties in restructurings in industries such as real estate, aviation, manufacturing, retail, energy, and pharmaceuticals.

In 2024, the American Bankruptcy Institute selected Debra for its list of “40 Under 40” Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice. Debra was selected in 2023 by leading industry publication Turnarounds & Workouts as one of 12 “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyers.” She was also selected by Law360 as one of five attorneys nationwide to be named a 2022 “Rising Star” in Bankruptcy. She has been recognized for her pro bono contributions by The Legal Aid Society, as a recipient of its Pro Bono Publico award, and Immigration Equality, as a recipient of its Safe Haven Award. Debra currently sits on the firm’s Recruiting Committee and served as the Secretary of the Bankruptcy & Corporate Reorganization Committee of the New York City Bar Association from 2020 to 2023.