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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.
Shai has also been recognized as a Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyer in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 guide.
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 is featured in Octus’ Americas Special Sits and Distressed Weekly article, “Cadwalader’s Schmidt Eyeing Ripple Effects of AI in Private Credit Arena, Lays Out Firm’s Vision for Next Stage of Its Restructuring Practice.” (March 2026) Read here.
- Shai Schmidt is featured in Bloomberg’s "The Big Take" article, “Private Equity’s Brutal Side Deals Leave Lenders Grasping in the Dark,” discussing the growing use of side deals in private equity-driven liability management exercises. (March 2026) Read here (subscription required).
- Shai Schmidt is featured in Law360 Bankruptcy Authority’s article “Bankruptcy Financing Becomes New Front For Lender Battles,” which examines how aggressive liability management tactics are increasingly migrating into Chapter 11 debtor‑in‑possession (DIP) financing and sparking lender‑on‑lender fights in court. (March 2026) Read here (subscription required).
- Shai Schmidt featured in Bloomberg’s “The Brink” newsletter on the potential of rising Chapter 11 filings among AI-disrupted software companies (March 2026) Read here (subscription required).
- 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.
