Sara L. Chenetz
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
Sara assists troubled companies and the parties doing business with them solve problems and seize 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.
Sara guides troubled businesses, their officers and directors, lien holders, buyers of assets, parties doing business with troubled businesses, official committees, trustees, assignees, and others. Clients benefit from Sara's niche knowledge in a variety of areas and industries, including entertainment, fintech, media, real estate, senior living, technology and wine.
Ranked by Chambers USA, Sara was noted as "an outstanding lawyer and client manager; she is an excellent active listener, facilitator, and solutionist - she always provides practical strategies and solutions that move a matter forward" by a client.
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, 2005-2024
"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
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Experience
First and Second Lien Debt Holders
Debt holders in Chapter 11 cases, restructurings, workouts and litigation involving cash collateral, relief from stay, lien avoidance, cramdown, intercreditor, confirmation, valuation, avoidable transfer, and other issues.
Borrowers and Guarantors
Borrowers and guarantors in workouts, refinancings, restructurings, and litigated disputes.
Official Committees
Official committees in cases involving, among other issues, contested plan confirmation, purchase price adjustment arbitration, disputed asset sales, prosecution of breach of fiduciary duty, equitable and contractual subordination, fraud and avoidance claims, and substantive consolidation.
Debtors in Possession and Other Troubled Businesses
Debtors in possession and other financially troubled businesses identifying challenges and determining and implementing fixes.
Post-Restructuring Corporate Governance
Restructured and reorganized businesses regarding post-emergence management, governance and operations.
Avoidance and Other Litigation
Plaintiffs and defendants in avoidable transfer adversary proceedings and other litigation through successful trial verdicts and appeals and structuring complex settlements.
Real Property Secured Lenders
Secured lenders to real property-owning debtors, including in single asset real estate (SARE) and large multi-debtor Chapter 11 cases and receiverships.
Buyers of Troubled Assets
Buyers of assets from debtors in possessions, assignees, and others in determining best structures for acquisitions and closing deals.
Owners of Troubled Businesses
Investors in troubled businesses in connection with maximizing the value of their investments and addressing their rights and obligations.
Debt Acquirers
Secondary market purchasers of secured notes and unsecured claims in bankruptcy, restructuring, and state court litigation matters.
Multi-Employer Benefit Plans
Multi-employer plans in cases involving plan underfunding, substantive consolidation of special purpose entities, and related issues.
Risk Assessment and Counsel
Financially healthy companies in structuring lending, distribution, licensing, sale, and other agreements in light of credit, compelled assignment, other risks and opportunities.
Directors and Officers
Current and past directors and officers of debtors in possession and other troubled businesses in connection with their rights and responsibilities and as defendants in and targets of litigation.
Estate Fiduciaries
Trustees, assignees in assignments for the benefit of creditors (ABCs), plan administrators and receivers regarding estate administration, asset recovery and liquidation, litigation, and exercise of duties.