Seyfarth Bolsters Restructuring & Insolvency Capabilities in Both Corporate and Litigation with Addition of Pete Roberts

Chicago, February 20, 2025 - Seyfarth Shaw LLP has boosted its growing Restructuring & Insolvency practice, both transactional and litigation, with the move of Peter J. Roberts to the firm as a partner based in its Chicago office.

Pete Roberts brings to Seyfarth a wealth of high-level experience in business reorganizations and liquidations, workouts, and commercial litigation. He has counseled clients in virtually all aspects of commercial insolvency, including bankruptcies, workouts, receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors, UCC Article 9 Sales, and related litigation.

Roberts also provides extensive experience in commercial litigation, having been entrusted with numerous critical matters from initiation through trial. His vast trial and appellate experience includes several appeals before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

He typically collaborates with debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, equity receivers, assignees for the benefit of creditors, prospective buyers of distressed assets, financial institutions, equipment lessors, landlords, and trade creditors.

“Pete Roberts has created practical and innovative solutions for a wide range of businesses facing the challenges of insolvency and in need of reorganization over the past three decades,” said Jason DeJonker, chair of Seyfarth’s Restructuring & Insolvency Practice. “His proficiency in all aspects of bankruptcy law will further expand our capabilities and benefit our clients.”

Roberts’ clients typically include small to mid-size corporate debtors, secured and unsecured creditors (including financial institutions and other lenders), bankruptcy trustees, receivers, and other fiduciaries, landlords and equipment lessors, and prospective asset buyers.

His clients cover a broad range of industries, such as construction, health care, lending, manufacturing, real estate, retailing, wholesaling, collectibles, jewelry, furniture, trucking, and biotechnology.

“Peter’s ability to develop workout strategies for debtors and creditors, formulate and execute reorganization plans, navigate asset sales in distressed situations, and litigate complex  commercial and bankruptcy cases make him a great fit for Seyfarth,” said James McGrath, who chairs the firm’s Litigation department.

Roberts will also assist Seyfarth’s real estate and loan servicing partners with workouts and foreclosures.

“I am extremely excited to join Seyfarth and collaborate with so many familiar faces to help clients navigate through difficult financial waters,” said Roberts. “I am very much looking forward to working with Jason DeJonker and the firm’s Restructuring and Insolvency team, as well as reuniting with my former colleagues, including Shawn Wood, Tracy Billows, Suzie Saxman, Mark Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Ronald Schreiber, and Joel Rubin.”

Roberts earned his JD from Duke University School of Law and his AB from Boston College. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and Massachusetts.

He has been selected for induction as a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy at its upcoming annual meeting in March 2025.

Roberts has gained recognition for his accomplishments from Chambers and Partners USA, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America. He received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named an Illinois Leading Lawyer by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

About Seyfarth

With more than 900 lawyers across 18 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides top-tier advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide.