Overview
Maris Kandestin focuses her practice on bankruptcy and restructuring, with an emphasis on debtor-side, complex Chapter 11 representations. In addition to representing companies in Chapter 11, she represents equity holders, secured lenders, and other creditors and parties in interest. Maris also represents foreign representatives in Chapter 15 proceedings and advises clients in connection with out-of-court restructurings. She represents clients in a variety of industries, including the healthcare, manufacturing, energy, airline, pharmaceutical, real estate, software and technology, transportation (including the ride sharing) industry, gaming, retail hospitality, including hotel and restaurant industries and franchised business industries.
While in law school, Maris served as the senior editor for the Penn State Law Review. Following law school, she clerked for The Honorable Gloria M. Burns in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.
Results
- Represented and provided advice to a global leader in the fast casual franchised restaurant industry in connection with insolvency proceedings of its former largest domestic franchise
- Represented statutory lienholder in connection with Chapter 11 cases of large oil and gas operator
- Represented the first company to file for Chapter 11 based in part on the proliferation of COVID-19*
- Represented the DIP lender and plan sponsor in the Chapter 11 cases of an international ride hailing business*
- Represented a pharmaceutical company in its Chapter 11 cases*
- Represented several different retail chains in their respective Chapter 11 cases*
- Represented an international conglomerate in a multi-jurisdictional combined reorganization and liquidation in Chapter 11*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott.
Recognitions
- Lawdragon 2020 Leading US Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Woman of the Year, 2013
Community
- American Bar Association, member
- American Bankruptcy Institute, member
- Turnaround Management Association, member
- TMA NOW – Philadelphia/Wilmington Chapter, committee member
- International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Delaware Chapter
- Membership Chair (2019 to 2020)
- Delaware State Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section
- Social committee, co-chair
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Chapter
- Chair of the Board of Trustees, 2017 to present
- Chair of the Leukemia Ball, 2021
- Man and Woman of the Year Campaign, leadership chair, 2014 to 2017
- Friends of the Little Crum Creek Park, board member
Credentials
Education
The Dickinson School of Law at The Pennsylvania State University, JD, 2004
Harvard University, MA, 2001
Villanova University, BA, cum laude, 1998
Courts/Agencies
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US District Court for the District of Delaware
US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
US District Court for the District of New Jersey
Admissions
Delaware
New York
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Languages
English
Russian
French
German
