Overview
Darren Azman focuses his practice on corporate restructurings, creditors’ rights and distressed acquisitions. Darren’s clients include private equity sponsors, troubled companies and their boards of directors, secured lenders and other constituents in connection with in-court and out-of-court restructurings.
Darren has distinct restructuring experience in the fields of manufacturing, renewable energy, health care, technology, maritime and transportation, and cross-border restructurings, including insolvency proceedings in Brazil, Germany, Japan and Korea. He routinely litigates matters in US Bankruptcy Courts and other venues.
Darren also acts as a trusted advisor to emerging companies by helping them navigate a wide range of business and legal issues, including capital formation, licensing, developing and leveraging intellectual property, strategic alliances, regulatory compliance, employee and labor matters, litigation and general corporate matters. During law school, Darren took a leave of absence to start a health care technology company in New York, which still exists today. Darren’s prior experience on the business side of emerging companies gives him a unique ability to provide clients with guidance on matters that directly impact business growth. His clients include emerging companies in the technology, healthcare, energy, blockchain, cryptocurrency, telecommunications and media space.
Results
Distressed Companies in Chapter 11 Cases and Out-of-Court Restructurings
- Representing an international apparel manufacturer and retailer with approximately 1,000 store locations in connection with a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
- Representing upstream oil & gas company Furie Operating Alaska in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings ($25mm revenue; $450mm debt)
- Representing firearms distributor United Sporting Companies in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings ($550mm revenue; $300mm debt)
- Representing retail energy supplier Agera Energy in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings ($750mm revenue; $200mm debt)
- Represented Borgers S.A., a Germany-based automotive parts manufacturer with facilities in Europe and the US, in an out-of-court restructuring (€900mm revenue; €350mm debt)
- Representing international fuel bunker supplier O.W. Bunker Germany GmbH in its Chapter 15 bankruptcy proceedings and in connection with litigation in New York and Texas regarding unpaid fuel bunker receivables
- Representing Japanese real estate portfolio companies in connection with an out-of-court restructuring ($400mm debt)
- Represented publicly traded insurance company Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings ($100mm debt)
- Represented intraoperative neuro physiological monitoring company ProNerve Holdings, LLC in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings ($30mm revenue; $50mm debt)
- Represented cable and broadband equipment repair company Contec Holdings, Ltd. in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings ($150mm revenue; $360mm debt)
Financial Sponsors and Strategics in Acquiring Distressed Companies
- In re: Texas Pellets Inc. (Bankr. S.D. Texas) – Wood pellet production facility
- In re: Willowood USA Holdings, LLC (Bankr. D. Colorado) – Crop protection products and related EPA registrations
- In re: Real Industry, Inc. (Bankr. D. Delaware) – Aluminum recycling facilities
- In re: BTH Quitman Hickory LLC (Bankr. D. Nevada) – Wood pellet production facility
- In re: WonderWork, Inc. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.) – Charitable assets including restricted donations
- In re: SEGA Biofuels, LLC (Bankr. S.D. Georgia) – Wood pellet production facility
- In re: SunEdison, Inc. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.) – Solar energy assets
- In re: Revel AC, Inc. (Bankr. D. New Jersey) – Casino
- In re: Potomac Supply Corporation (Bankr. E.D. Virginia) – Forest products company
- In re: Arctic Glacier (Bankr. D. Delaware) – Ice manufacturer
Directors & Officers and Other Parties in Bankruptcy Court Litigation
- Represented former officer of ITT Educational Services, Inc. in connection with the ITT Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings
- Represented four of the world’s five largest intermodal shipping container lessors in the Chapter 15 case of Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd. and related insolvency proceedings worldwide, including Korea
- Represented an ad hoc bondholder group holding $300 million in principal amount in connection with the reorganization of Brazilian oil and gas company OGX Petroleo & Gas Participacoes SA
- Represented the official committee of unsecured creditors of Perkins & Marie Callender’s, Inc.
- Represented indenture trustees and administrative agents in connection with Chapter 11 proceedings
- Represented trade creditors and other parties in defending fraudulent conveyance and preference actions in Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 proceedings
Recognitions
- Turnarounds & Workouts, Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer, 2020
- The M&A Advisor, Emerging Leader Award, 2019
- New York Law Journal, Rising Star, 2019
- Super Lawyers, New York Metro Rising Star, 2017-2020
- IFLR, Restructuring & Insolvency Rising Star, 2018-2019
- The Turnaround Management Association, Non-Profit Transaction of the Year – Wonderwork, Inc., 2019
- The American Lawyer, Honoree, Global Finance Deal of the Year (South America), 2015 (OGX Debt Restructuring)
Credentials
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude
Bentley University, BS, magna cum laude
Admissions
Massachusetts
New York
Courts / Agencies
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US District Court for the District of Massachusetts
US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York
