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Shai Schmidt 

 
Partner – New York
T.+1 212 504 6194
shai.schmidt@cwt.com
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281 V-CARD

Shai Schmidt is a partner in Cadwalader’s Financial Restructuring practice.

He represents ad hoc lender and noteholder groups, asset managers, hedge funds, and CLOs in a wide range of in-court and out-of-court transactions and disputes. Shai has represented lenders in some of the largest liability management exercises (LMEs) and Chapter 11 cases in recent years. These include Invesco in the Robertshaw matter, lender groups in First Brands, Saks Global, Pretium Packaging, Vibrantz Technologies, Newfold Digital, Tropicana, Quest Software, Wellness Pet, Oregon Tool, and Better Health Group.

Shai has extensive experience in intercreditor litigation, contested Chapter 11 plan confirmations, DIP financing, and other bankruptcy- and restructuring-related disputes.

Prior to joining Cadwalader in 2026, Shai was a partner with Glenn Agre Bergman & Fuentes, a premier boutique firm with a focus on creditors' rights matters.

Recognized as a leading authority on LMEs and intercreditor issues, Shai is regularly featured in The Financial Times, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Octus, Debtwire, 9Fin and other top business publications for his insights. 

Selected Media Highlights:

  • Shai Schmidt contributed to Debtwire’s U.S. restructuring 2026 outlook (January 2026) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt participated in PETITION’s year-end survey alongside a panel of restructuring professionals (December 2025) Read here (subscription required).
  • Shai Schmidt discusses Selecta bondholder litigation with the Wall Street Journal (October 2025) Read here (subscription required).
  • Shai Schmidt shares insights on liability management at Columbia Law School and TMA Brazil’s Restructuring Conference (October 2025) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt discusses how minority lenders are thinking about LMEs with 9fin (September 2025) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt discusses the out-of-court restructuring trend with The Financial Times (August 2025) Read here (subscription required).
  • Partner Shai Schmidt spoke with The Deal about the evolving role of liability management exercises (LMEs) as market uncertainty intensifies (May 2025) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt discusses the rising use of cooperation agreements and the potential challenges they present for distressed investors with PitchBook (April 2025) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt discusses rise of LMEs with the Wall Street Journal (March 2025) Read here (subscription required).
  • Shai Schmidt discusses key takeaways from Serta and Mitel decisions with Turnarounds & Workouts (January 2025) Read here (subscription required).
  • Shai Schmidt quoted in Debtwire on how the influx of capital in the credit markets has affected out-of-court restructurings (January 2025) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt quoted in Law360 on impact of the Serta ruling (January 2025) Read here. (subscription required).
  • Shai Schmidt quoted in Bloomberg on LME mechanics (January 2025) Read here. (subscription required).
  • Shai Schmidt quoted in 9Fin on the importance of the Mitel decision (January 2025) Read here. (login required).
  • Shai Schmidt quoted in 9Fin on the evolution of LME legal challenges (November 2024) Read here. (subscription required).
  • Shai Schmidt discusses joint cooperation agreements with Reorg (October 2024) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt quoted in Bloomberg on debt restructuring delays (August 2024) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt authors Reorg article on double-dip financings (July 2024) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt discusses Supreme Court decision on fraud-discharge exception with Turnarounds & Workouts (April 2023) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt featured in Law360 on the Boy Scouts bankruptcy case (September 2022) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt featured in Bloomberg Law on Boy Scouts bankruptcy ruling (August 2022) Read here.
  • Shai Schmidt featured in Law.com’s “How I Made Partner” Q&A series (November 2021) Read here.
  • 3rd Circuit Decision Casts Doubt on Gifts to Individual Class Members, Turnarounds & Workouts (September 2021) Read here.
  • 3rd Circuit Continues Momentive Trend For Secured Creditors, Law360 (Aug. 6, 2019) Read here.
  • Momentive Disrupts Intercreditor Agreements and Reorgs, Law360 (Feb. 8, 2019) Read here.

 

Shai has represented:

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Pretium Packaging in connection with its Chapter 11 cases.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Vibrantz Technologies in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Newfold Digital in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to First Brands in connection with a debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing.

  • An ad hoc group of Saks Global bondholders in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • Invesco Senior Secured Management in the Robertshaw state court proceeding and Chapter 11 case, litigating the validity of a pre-petition liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Quest Software in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Wellness Pet in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Tropicana Brands Group in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • A lender to 24-Hour Fitness in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Oregon Tool, Inc. in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An excluded lender in the Del Monte Foods litigation in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Better Health Group in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Magenta Buyer LLC (McAfee) in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Allen Media Group.

  • An ad hoc group of lenders to Ivanti Software, Inc. in connection with a liability management exercise.

  • An ad hoc group of non-RSA secured lenders in the Chapter 11 case of Cineworld Group PLC.

  • An ad hoc group of unsecured noteholders of Endo International plc and its affiliates in their Chapter 11 proceedings.

  • An ad hoc group of shareholders of Hertz Global, Inc. in its Chapter 11 case.

  • The Official Committee of Equity Securities Holders in the Chapter 11 case of Garrett Motion Inc.

Certain representations occurred before Shai joined Cadwalader.

Shai Schmidt 

Practice Areas

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
  • New York

Education

  • Harvard Law School
    LL.M., Fulbright Fellow
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    LL.B., magna cum laude
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