Jeff Bjork, Managing Partner of Latham’s Los Angeles offices and former Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Restructuring and Special Situations Practice, represents public and private companies, creditors, and investors in all aspects of restructuring. Widely recognized as a leading restructuring lawyer in the United States, Jeff is a fellow in the prestigious American College of Bankruptcy, and most recently was named Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer in 2023 for leading Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals in its Chapter 11 restructuring.
With 25 years in practice, Jeff represents debtors, creditors, sponsors, boards of directors, and investors in all aspects of restructuring distressed companies. He regularly advises companies on successful strategies to address mass tort and legacy liabilities, including asbestos, environmental, and product related liabilities, and has represented clients in numerous mass tort bankruptcies.
In recognition of his work, Jeff was selected as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Los Angeles for 2022 by the Los Angeles Business Journal. He was also named Bankruptcy Attorney of the Year for 2021 by the Los Angeles Business Journal, and one of the Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers for 2020 by Turnarounds & Workouts. Chambers USA recommends Jeff for Bankruptcy/Restructuring Nationwide and in California, noting that his “experience in matters involving any and all industries enables him to quickly assess and understand a situation, and to provide the legal advice that best positions his clients for maximum recovery and success.” He excels “at representing debtors and creditors” and that “one of his outstanding attributes is his creativity.” Commentators have observed that he is “very creative and very helpful to have involved in negotiating a business deal, M&A transaction or settlement,” while others have noted that he is “thoroughly knowledgeable, detail-oriented, client-focused, practical and fearless in representation.”
Jeff has been named as a leading restructuring lawyer by IFLR1000 (Highly Regarded, Restructuring and Insolvency), The Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America in 2020, 2022, and 2023, The Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy/Insolvency), The International Who’s Who for Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers, The Legal 500 (Municipal Bankruptcy), among others.
Jeff is a member of the Pepperdine University Board. He is a frequent lecturer, speaker, and writer on restructuring, bankruptcy, and insolvency topics.
Jeff has experience in large scale, cross-border restructurings and insolvencies globally. He advises clients in distressed situations across industries including energy (power, E&P, and E&P services), hospitality and gaming, real estate, industrials and manufacturing, automotive, print and film media, and retail and consumer products. He has successfully represented bond insurers and bond holders in high profile municipal restructurings, including in Chapter 9. His representative experience includes advising:
*Matter handled prior to joining Latham
Office Managing Partner Jeff Bjork and Deputy Office Managing Partner Ana O’Brien honored for their practice work and management roles.
Firm advised on 13 matters selected among the most notable work of 2022 by Turnarounds & Workouts.
Restructuring & Special Situations Practice Partners George Davis and Jeff Bjork recognized for leading Mallinckrodt restructuring.