Sara L. Chenetz
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
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Sara helps troubled companies and their business partners solve problems and capitalize on opportunities.
In and out of courts throughout the country, Sara Chenetz guides clients through restructurings, workouts, and litigation, including identifying investment prospects, recovering amounts owed, enhancing business relationships, and improving governance and capital structures.
Sara has first-chaired multiple trials, arbitrations, and mediations. She has also served as a court-appointed Chapter 11 trustee in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Central District of California and District of Nevada. She serves as a mediator in bankruptcy cases in California and elsewhere.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- American University Washington College of Law, J.D.
- University of Massachusetts, B.A., magna cum laude
Bar and Court Admissions
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California
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New Jersey
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New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Professional Recognition
Ranked by Chambers USA for Bankruptcy, 2009, 2011-2013, 2018-2024
Listed in the Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers, 2020, 2022-2024
Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine as a "Southern California Super Lawyer," for Bankruptcy, 2005-2025
"Readers’ Choice Award," JD Supra: Thought Leadership in Bankruptcy Law, 2023
Named as "Bankruptcy Law - Lawyer of the Year in California" by Global Law Experts, 2023
Named among "Top Bankruptcy Lawyers in California" by Daily Journal, 2022
Named among the Daily Journal's "Top 100 Women Lawyers," 2022
Named a "Top Lawyer" by Los Angeles Magazine, 2021
Recipient of Changemaker Award presented by the Coalition Against Slavery and Trafficking for pro bono work representing survivors of human trafficking, 2018
Litigation Council of America, Senior Fellow
American Bar Foundation, Fellow
*Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell (AV® Preeminent ™ and BV® Distinguished™ are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies.)
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Perkins Coie Billing and Collections Committee, Firmwide Chair, 2016-present
- ALI CLE Commercial Law/Bankruptcy, Advisory Panel Member, 2015-present
- Turnaround Management Association, Turnaround/Transactions Award Selection Committee, 2021-2023
- Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors, Annual Conference Planning Committee, 2021
- Perkins Coie Economic Recovery & Opportunities Team, formed March 2020
- Kellogg School of Management Strategic Leadership Programs, Northwestern University, 2015 and 2019
- American Bankruptcy Institute Bankruptcy Battleground West Conference, Planning Committee, 2014-2017
- Turnaround Management Annual Convention, Planning Committee, 2011
- Annual California Bankruptcy Forum, Co-Chair, 2008
- Southern California Chapter of Turnaround Management Association, Former Vice President
- International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Former Member of International Board of Directors
- Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum, Former Member of Board of Directors
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Central District of California, Panel of Mediators
- Turnaround Management Association, Turnaround/Transactions Award Selection Committee, 2021-2023
- Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors, Annual Conference Planning Committee, 2021
