WILMINGTON, DE, MAY 20, 2009...The mid-Atlantic law firm Cole Schotz, known throughout the United States for its experience handling high-stakes corporate bankruptcies and reorganizations nationally - has moved into expanded office space at 500 Delaware Avenue, the three-year-old building that tops Wilmington’s skyline and has added a partner and associate to its renowned bankruptcy team. 

One recent addition is bankruptcy partner Marion Quirk, who joined Cole Schotz on May 1. She was previously at Skadden, where she represented companies in out-of-court restructurings and Chapter 11 cases. Sanjay Bhatnagar, an associate with an advanced degree in taxation, will also begin work in the firm’s Delaware office on June 1.

The Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Department of Cole Schotz -- located in the key corporate markets of Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland -- represents debtors, creditors’ committees, institutional and individual creditors, secured parties, venture capitalists, equity holders, trustees, receivers and parties with substantial interests in insolvency proceedings throughout the United States.

Norman L. Pernick, who heads the Wilmington office of Cole Schotz and is co-chair of the firm's Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Department, said: “We have now moved to a perfect location in a premier, modern building that gives Cole Schotz the increased ability to meet the growing needs of our clients for our bankruptcy and restructuring services.”  

Pernick, who has served as lead counsel in major Chapter 11 cases that include Owens Corning and Fedders Corporation, added: “This past year alone, we’ve been involved in many high profile bankruptcy cases, including as debtor's counsel for clients including The Tribune Company, J. G. Wentworth, Ritz Camera, Cadence Innovation, Tropicana Entertainment LLC, Tarragon Corporation and EnCap Holdings.”

Quirk's extensive Chapter 11 experience includes prior representations of Goody’s Family Clothing, Inc. (department store retailer); Birch Telecom, Inc. (telecommunications provider); Diamond Brands Operating Corp. (manufacturer of various consumer products); The IT Group, Inc. (construction services, remediation and facilities management provider); Safety-Kleen, Inc. (industrial waste service provider); ICG Communications, Inc. (telecommunications provider); and Stone & Webster, Incorporated (construction and engineering service provider).

She is a member of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI). Since 2004, she has served as associate editor of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal. She is also a barrister in the Delaware Bankruptcy Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Michael Sirota, co-managing partner of the firm and co-chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring Department, said: “We are delighted to welcome Marion Quirk, whose experience handling significant Chapter 11 cases will contribute greatly to the capacity and reputation of Cole Schotz throughout the mid-Atlantic region.” 

The new office also features paintings by local artists. In addition, the Delaware office attorneys are intimately involved with many local organizations, including the highly respected Main Street Wilmington Program, a nonprofit partnership created to improve the central business district of Wilmington. Cole Schotz's involvement with this program is consistent with the Firm’s longstanding commitment to the communities where it has offices.