Frank A. Oswald
Partner
Biography
For more than 35 years, Mr. Oswald has focused his practice exclusively on bankruptcy, out-of-court restructurings and creditors' rights matters. Mr. Oswald has represented clients in all facets of bankruptcy cases as well as insolvency issues in business transactions.
Mr. Oswald is a partner at Togut, Segal & Segal LLP, which he joined in 1986 following internships with the late Hon. Conrad B. Duberstein, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, and the Hon. Cecilia Goetz, Bankruptcy Judge (retired) in the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York. Since then, Mr. Oswald has represented chapter 11 debtors, bankruptcy trustees, creditors' committees, secured and unsecured creditors, shareholders, distressed investors, defendants in avoidance actions, mediators, plan administrators, as well as landlords and tenants in bankruptcy cases, and entities seeking to acquire assets out of bankruptcy.
Mr. Oswald has been named a New York Super Lawyer every year since 2010, including one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in the New York Metro Area in 2024 and 2025. He is also a member of the EDNY's Bankruptcy Judges' Chapter 11 Lawyers Advisory Committee, Board of the Turnaround Management Association (NY Chapter), a member of the ABI's Committee on Healthcare Law, and a recognized lawyer in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America.
Representative Opinions
- Grubb & Ellis Co., et al., Case No. 12-10685 (MG), 478 B.R. 622 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2012) (Memorandum Opinion and Order Denying Former Agents’ Motion for Administrative Expense Claims)
- Grubb & Ellis Co., et al.,, Chapter 11 Case No. 12-10685 (MG), 2012 WL 1036071 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. March 27, 2012) (Memorandum Opinion Approving the Sale of Substantially All of the Debtors’ Assets)
- Cabrini Medical Center, et al., Chapter 11 Case No. 09-14398 (AJG), 2012 WL 527711 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y., February 16, 2012) (Opinion Denying Mannucci Parties’ Motions for Summary Judgment)
- Cabrini Medical Center, et al.,, Chapter 11 Case No. 09-14398 (AJG) (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. June 15, 2012) (Memorandum of Decision denying renewed motion for relief from automatic stay by the Mannucci Parties)
- Narumanchi vs Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers of New York ( Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers of New York, No. 11 Civ. 9431 (ER) (SDNY Sept. 27, 2012) (affirming Bankruptcy Court’s Order denying relief from automatic stay)
- Enron Corp. v. J.P. Morgan Sec., Inc. (Enron Corp.), 388 B.R. 131 (S.D.N.Y. 2008)
- Saint Vincent’s Catholic Med. Ctrs. of N.Y., No. 05 B 14945(ASH), 2007 WL 2492787 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Aug. 29, 2007)
- Enron Corp. v. Bear, Stearns Int’l Ltd. (Enron Corp.), 323 B.R. 857 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005), appeal denied, No. M-47, 01-16034, 03-93371, 03-93388, 03-93373, 2006 WL 1222035 (S.D.N.Y. May 3, 2006), adhered to on reconsideration by No. M-47(LBS), 01-16034, ADV. 03-93388, 2006 WL 1724516 (S.D.N.Y. June 19, 2006)
- LFD Operating, Inc. v. Ames Dep’t Stores, Inc. (Ames Dep’t Stores, Inc.), 144 F. App’x 900 (2d Cir. 2005), aff’g No. 02 Civ. 6271(SHS), 01-42217(REG), 01-8139A(AJG), 2004 WL 1948754 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 1, 2004), aff’g 274 B.R. 600 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2002)
- Joan and David Halpern Inc., 248 B.R. 43 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2000)
- 96 Wythe Acquisition LLC, Chapter 11 Case No. 21-22108 (SHL), 673 B.R. 303 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2025) (Memorandum of Decision granting summary judgment on behalf of the Chapter 11 Trustee).
Representative Cases
- Steward Health Care System LLC: special counsel to the debtors, previously the largest private, physician-owned health care network in the U.S., to prosecute avoidance actions under Chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code involving hundreds of millions of dollars in potential preferential transfers.
- Azul S.A.: co-counsel to the Debtors, Brazil’s largest airline by number of departures and cities served, in the restructuring of almost $10 billion in liabilities.
- Powin LLC: co-counsel to the Debtors, an Oregon-based manufacturer of utility-scale battery energy storage systems and a provider of related energy services, in the restructuring of approximately $300 million in liabilities through a restructuring and sale of the debtors’ core businesses.
- The Lake Law Firm: counsel to the largest secured creditor in the Chapter 7 case of Lake Law Firm, a mass tort claims aggregation firm, involving liabilities in excess of $50 million.
- Ebix Inc.: Counsel to plan sponsor consortium in connection with its successful acquisition, through a confirmed chapter 11 plan of reorganization of Ebix Inc. and its affiliates, a leading global supplier of ondemand software and e-commerce services to the insurance, financial services, travel, healthcare, and e-learning industries.
- Diocese of Rockville Centre: Represented a non-debtor affiliate which was a defendant in an adversary proceeding commenced by the Creditors Committees seeking to avoid and recover purported fraudulent transfers in excess of $200m. The action was ultimately consensually resolved through a Bankruptcy Court supervised mediation for approximately 25% of the amount sought in connection with the successful confirmation of the Debtor’s Chapter 11 Plan.
- Vice Media (n/k/a Venus Liquidation): Lead Chapter 11 counsel to the debtors, a global news and culture media company once valued at $5.7 billion. Worked with case professionals to complete a going-concern sale to senior secured lenders within 60 days of filing, confirmed a Chapter 11 liquidation plan, and currently serves as co-counsel to the Plan Administrator.
- Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP: counsel to the Firm and subsequently to the wind-down committee upon the formal dissolution of Stroock, a once-prominent law firm of nearly 150 years, in its successful and fully consensual out-of-court wind down.
- Endo Pharmaceuticals: co-counsel to the Chapter 11 debtors, a multibillion-dollar global specialty biopharmaceutical business that produces and sells generic and branded products and are together one of the country’s leading specialty pharmaceutical companies, in connection with their reorganization case.
- Pareteum Corporation: Lead Chapter 11 counsel to the publicly traded global mobile networking software provider serving telecom and enterprise clients across multiple continents. Successfully closed a going-concern sale of substantially all assets within 56 days of filing and confirmed a liquidating Chapter 11 plan.
- 96 Wythe Acquisition LLC: Lead counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee for the owner/operator of the Williamsburg Hotel in Brooklyn, New York. Negotiated a multi-million-dollar settlement with the senior secured creditor enabling use of cash collateral and additional funding, facilitating a Fall 2023 auction and $96 million going-concern sale. Assisted in confirming a Chapter 11 Plan and continues to represent the Liquidation Trustee in pursuing significant estate claims.
- Rubie’s Costume Company, co-counsel to the Debtors, the largest costume manufacturer and distributor in the world, with annual sales of approximately $300 million, in their chapter 11 restructuring.
- McClatchy: Co-counsel to the Debtors, a 163-year-old family-controlled public media company delivering independent local journalism to 30 communities across 14 states, including the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, and The Sacramento Bee. Represented the company in restructuring approximately $1.6 billion in debt.
- Trident Holding Company, LLC, co-counsel to the debtors, the leading national provider of bedside diagnostic and related services in the United States operating in 35 states, in the restructuring of approximately $700 million in liabilities.
- Pacific Drilling: counsel to the Debtors, which specialize in ultra-deep water drilling for a myriad of the largest oil and gas companies in the world, in the restructuring of more than $3 billion in liabilities
- Toisa Limited: lead counsel to the debtors, 24 international shipping companies involving 46 vessels and the restructuring of more than $1 billion in liabilities
- SunEdison, Inc.: co-counsel to the debtors, one of the world's leading developers of renewable-energy solutions, involving the restructuring of more than $16 billion in liabilities.
- Relativity Fashion, LLC: Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of 143 debtors engaged in motion picture and television production and distribution, resulting in the restructuring of liabilities exceeding $750 million
- Federation Employment and Guidance Service, Inc, d/b/a FEGS (co-counsel to the Debtor, a not for profit health and human services organization providing a broad range of services to more than 120,000 individuals annually, with assets and liabilities exceeding $100million)
- Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester et al (counsel to the Purchaser in a section 363 sale of substantially all of the debtors' assets for approximately $60 million. The debtors operate two hospitals and a nursing home).
- Personal Communications Devices (co-counsel to the Debtors, a distributor of specialty mobile devices and accessories which also provides value added services to manufactures and wireless telecom carriers with sales exceeding $1 billion).
- Grubb & Ellis Company (lead counsel to the Debtors, an international real estate brokerage and property management company, with more than 100 offices and revenue exceeding $500 million which was sold as a going concern in a transaction approved by the Bankruptcy Court in less than 45 days following the commencement of the Chapter 11 case)
- Eastman Kodak (co-counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in the Kodak Chapter 11 cases which involves the restructuring of more than $1billion in liabilities)
- Betsey Johnson LLC (co-counsel to the Debtor, a leading designer, marketer, retailer and wholesaler of premier women's contemporary apparel and accessories in its Chapter 11 case involving the orderly liquidation of 63 retail and outlet stores)
- Loehmann's Department Stores (lead counsel to the Debtors, a leading national specialty retailer of designer and brand-name apparel, concerning the restructuring of $190 million in liabilities pursuant to a Chapter 11 plan confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court within 12 weeks of case commencement)
- General Motors (conflicts counsel to the Debtors concerning the largest OME in the United States involving the restructuring of more than $80 billion in liabilities)
- Chrysler, LLC (conflicts counsel to the Debtors in the first Chapter 11 case ever filed by an OME concerning the restructuring of a more than $55 billion in liabilities)
- Charter Communications (counsel to one of the affiliated debtors which together is one of the largest cable/broadband communication companies in the United States, involving the successful restructuring over $22 billion in liabilities)
- Enron Corp. (co-counsel to the Debtors in one of the largest bankruptcy cases ever filed wherein, among other things, the firm prosecuted more than 1,000 adversary proceedings and recovered in excess of $500 million for the estate)
- Our Lady of Mercy Hospital (lead counsel for the Debtor involving more than $100 million in liabilities, successfully consummated the Chapter 11 sale of substantially all of the hospital's assets as a going concern)
- Saint Vincents Hospitals (conflicts counsel to the Debtor hospitals involving the restructuring over $1 billion in liabilities)
- Cabrini Medical Center (lead counsel to the Debtor, which having ceased operations, commenced a Chapter 11 case to maximize asset value through a Section 363 sale process)
- Finlay Jewelry (conflicts counsel to the Debtors, a national chain of retail jewelry stores involving over $385 million in liabilities)
- Tower Automotive (conflicts counsel to one of the largest automotive parts supplier's in the country to tier-one manufacturers)
- MSR Resort Golf Course LLC (conflicts counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors)
- Ellen Tracy LLC (counsel to the Chapter 7 Trustee in litigation against the debtors lenders and directors & officers for, among other things, the recovery of avoidable transfers and breach of fiduciary duties resulting in settlements valued at approximately $20 million for the estate).
- Corporate Resource Services, Inc.: Counsel to Chapter 11 trustee in cases involving $100 million tax fraud by professional employer organization
- City of Detroit: Counsel to Chapter 9 municipality, responsible for investigation and prosecution of preferential transfer claims
- Aeropostle, Inc.: co-counsel to the Debtors, a teen clothing retail chain of more than 800 stores involving the restructuring of approximately $260 million in liabilities
Published Works
- Beverly A. Berneman, B. Summer Chandler, Ronald Howard, and Frank Oswald, Choppy Waters: Navigating the Intersection of Bankruptcy and Intellectual Property, 2nd ed. 2025
- Oswald, F. A., Wu, E. D., & Blander, E. E. "Chapter 11 Case Study: Pacific Drilling, SA.” in Cases in Financial Management: Applications for Financial Analysis, 2024 (pp. 525-554).
- Short Case Analysis: Gardens Regional Hospital and Medical Center Liquidating Trust v. State of California (In re Gardens Regional Hospital and Medical Center, Inc.), Case No. 18-60016 (9th Cir. Sept. 16, 2020)," Frank A. Oswald and Minta J. Nester, ABI Healthcare Newsletter, March 2021
- Frank A. Oswald, Bryan M. Kotliar, John C. Gallego, “Limitations on Business Judgment? The Intersections of §§ 363(b), 365 and 503(b) for Paying Creditors’ Professional Fees,” ABI Journal, March 2021
- Frank A. Oswald & Katherine A. Crispi, "M&As in Bankruptcy and Reorganization: The Implications on M&A, in Mergers & Acquisitions: A Practitioner’s Guide to Successful Deals" at 471-93 (Harvey A. Poniachek ed.)., 2019
- "The Common Interest Doctrine: Preserving Privilege Post-Petition," Frank A. Oswald and Lauren L. Peacock, ABI Journal Vol. XXXIV, No. 6, 36, June 2015
- "Liquidating Fiduciary Exception to WARN Act," Frank A. Oswald and Lara R. Sheikh, with Practical Law Company Labor & Employment, May, 2015
- "When 'Free and Clear' Does Not Mean 'Free and Clear' – Bankruptcy Sales Involving Collective Bargaining Agreement Successor Clauses", Norton Bankruptcy Law Adviser, May, 2014
- "Transfers of Medicare Provider Numbers in Bankruptcy", ABI Journal, May, 2009
- "Missing the Forest for the Trees and Neglected the Big Picture in §363", Norton Bankruptcy Law Advisor, April, 2009
Classes And Seminars
- ABI Distressed Real Estate Symposium, March 2026
- Panel Speaker for Strafford webinar, January 2025: Personal Liability Risk for Chapter 11 Management
- Business Bankruptcy 101 for Small/Mid-Size Firm and Solo Practitioners, New York City Bar webinar, March 2021
- ABI New York Conference, Health Care and Education Panel, May 2017
- Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference, Strategies to Exit Administratively Insolvent Chapter 11 Cases, February 2017
- Alternatives to Chapter 11, ABI New York Conference, 2015
- Health Care on the Front Lines, ABI 29th Annual Spring Meeting, Washington, D.C., April 2011
- Is Bankruptcy the Right Prescription for Distressed Health Care Providers, NYC Bar Association, New York, NY, March 2011
- Use of Valuations in Fraudulent Conveyance Cases, AIRA's 10th Annual Advanced Restructuring and Plan of Reorganization Conference, 2011
- Health Care Triage 2009, ABI Health Care Conference, Loyola University Chicago, June 2009
Professional Associations
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court EDNY Chapter 11 Lawyers Advisory Committee
- Bankruptcy Lawyers Bar Association, Member
- American Bankruptcy Institute and Health Care Subcommittee, Member
- New York City Bar Association, Bankruptcy Committee Member
- AIRA - Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors
- Turnaround Management Association Global Board Member 2026
- Turnaround Management Association New York Chapter, Executive Board Member, General Counsel/Governance Committee
- Practical Law Bankruptcy Advisory Service, Board Member, 2016 to Present
- New York State Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Turnaround Management Association—Global Board Member 2026, Executive Board Member of the New York Chapter
Awards / Recognition
- Super Lawyers Top 100 Super Lawyers in the New York Metro area (2024, 2025)
- Named a Super Lawyer every year since 2010
- Ranked lawyer in Chambers USA
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for New York City
- AV Preeminent Rating - Martindale-Hubbell Pier Review, 1996 - Present
- Recognized in The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers
Contact:
Bar Admission
- New York, 1986
- New Jersey, 1986
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1987
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1987
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1987
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 2005
- Supreme Court of the United States of America, 2009
Education
- New York Law School, New York, New York
- J.D. – 1986
- Law Journal: New York Law School Journal of International and Comparative Law, Notes and Comments Editor, 1985 – 1986
- Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, New York
- B.B.A. – 1983
- Honors: cum laude
- Major: Management
Clerkships
- Hon. Cecelia H. Goetz, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of New York, Student Law Clerk, 1984
- Hon. Conrad B. Duberstein, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of New York, Student Law Clerk, 1984 to 1985
Frank A. Oswald
Partner
Contact:
Bar Admission
- New York, 1986
- New Jersey, 1986
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1987
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1987
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1987
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 2005
- Supreme Court of the United States of America, 2009
Education
- New York Law School, New York, New York
- J.D. – 1986
- Law Journal: New York Law School Journal of International and Comparative Law, Notes and Comments Editor, 1985 – 1986
- Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, New York
- B.B.A. – 1983
- Honors: cum laude
- Major: Management
Clerkships
- Hon. Cecelia H. Goetz, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of New York, Student Law Clerk, 1984
- Hon. Conrad B. Duberstein, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of New York, Student Law Clerk, 1984 to 1985
Biography
For more than 35 years, Mr. Oswald has focused his practice exclusively on bankruptcy, out-of-court restructurings and creditors' rights matters. Mr. Oswald has represented clients in all facets of bankruptcy cases as well as insolvency issues in business transactions.
Mr. Oswald is a partner at Togut, Segal & Segal LLP, which he joined in 1986 following internships with the late Hon. Conrad B. Duberstein, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, and the Hon. Cecilia Goetz, Bankruptcy Judge (retired) in the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York. Since then, Mr. Oswald has represented chapter 11 debtors, bankruptcy trustees, creditors' committees, secured and unsecured creditors, shareholders, distressed investors, defendants in avoidance actions, mediators, plan administrators, as well as landlords and tenants in bankruptcy cases, and entities seeking to acquire assets out of bankruptcy.
Mr. Oswald has been named a New York Super Lawyer every year since 2010, including one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in the New York Metro Area in 2024 and 2025. He is also a member of the EDNY's Bankruptcy Judges' Chapter 11 Lawyers Advisory Committee, Board of the Turnaround Management Association (NY Chapter), a member of the ABI's Committee on Healthcare Law, and a recognized lawyer in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America.
Representative Opinions
- Grubb & Ellis Co., et al., Case No. 12-10685 (MG), 478 B.R. 622 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2012) (Memorandum Opinion and Order Denying Former Agents’ Motion for Administrative Expense Claims)
- Grubb & Ellis Co., et al.,, Chapter 11 Case No. 12-10685 (MG), 2012 WL 1036071 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. March 27, 2012) (Memorandum Opinion Approving the Sale of Substantially All of the Debtors’ Assets)
- Cabrini Medical Center, et al., Chapter 11 Case No. 09-14398 (AJG), 2012 WL 527711 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y., February 16, 2012) (Opinion Denying Mannucci Parties’ Motions for Summary Judgment)
- Cabrini Medical Center, et al.,, Chapter 11 Case No. 09-14398 (AJG) (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. June 15, 2012) (Memorandum of Decision denying renewed motion for relief from automatic stay by the Mannucci Parties)
- Narumanchi vs Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers of New York ( Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers of New York, No. 11 Civ. 9431 (ER) (SDNY Sept. 27, 2012) (affirming Bankruptcy Court’s Order denying relief from automatic stay)
- Enron Corp. v. J.P. Morgan Sec., Inc. (Enron Corp.), 388 B.R. 131 (S.D.N.Y. 2008)
- Saint Vincent’s Catholic Med. Ctrs. of N.Y., No. 05 B 14945(ASH), 2007 WL 2492787 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Aug. 29, 2007)
- Enron Corp. v. Bear, Stearns Int’l Ltd. (Enron Corp.), 323 B.R. 857 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005), appeal denied, No. M-47, 01-16034, 03-93371, 03-93388, 03-93373, 2006 WL 1222035 (S.D.N.Y. May 3, 2006), adhered to on reconsideration by No. M-47(LBS), 01-16034, ADV. 03-93388, 2006 WL 1724516 (S.D.N.Y. June 19, 2006)
- LFD Operating, Inc. v. Ames Dep’t Stores, Inc. (Ames Dep’t Stores, Inc.), 144 F. App’x 900 (2d Cir. 2005), aff’g No. 02 Civ. 6271(SHS), 01-42217(REG), 01-8139A(AJG), 2004 WL 1948754 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 1, 2004), aff’g 274 B.R. 600 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2002)
- Joan and David Halpern Inc., 248 B.R. 43 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2000)
- 96 Wythe Acquisition LLC, Chapter 11 Case No. 21-22108 (SHL), 673 B.R. 303 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2025) (Memorandum of Decision granting summary judgment on behalf of the Chapter 11 Trustee).
Representative Cases
- Steward Health Care System LLC: special counsel to the debtors, previously the largest private, physician-owned health care network in the U.S., to prosecute avoidance actions under Chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code involving hundreds of millions of dollars in potential preferential transfers.
- Azul S.A.: co-counsel to the Debtors, Brazil’s largest airline by number of departures and cities served, in the restructuring of almost $10 billion in liabilities.
- Powin LLC: co-counsel to the Debtors, an Oregon-based manufacturer of utility-scale battery energy storage systems and a provider of related energy services, in the restructuring of approximately $300 million in liabilities through a restructuring and sale of the debtors’ core businesses.
- The Lake Law Firm: counsel to the largest secured creditor in the Chapter 7 case of Lake Law Firm, a mass tort claims aggregation firm, involving liabilities in excess of $50 million.
- Ebix Inc.: Counsel to plan sponsor consortium in connection with its successful acquisition, through a confirmed chapter 11 plan of reorganization of Ebix Inc. and its affiliates, a leading global supplier of ondemand software and e-commerce services to the insurance, financial services, travel, healthcare, and e-learning industries.
- Venus Liquidation f/k/a Vice Media: lead Chapter 11 counsel to the debtors, a global media company focused on news and culture content that had once been valued at almost $5.7 billion., The Togut Firm worked with the other case professionals to obtain and close a going concern sale of the Debtors to their senior secured lenders in less than 60 days from case commencement. The Togut Firm went on to confirm a Chapter 11 Plan of Liquidation for the Debtors and it currently serves as co-counsel to the Plan Administrator.
- Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP: counsel to the Firm and subsequently to the wind-down committee upon the formal dissolution of Stroock, a once-prominent law firm of nearly 150 years, in its successful and fully consensual out-of-court wind down.
- Endo Pharmaceuticals: co-counsel to the Chapter 11 debtors, a multibillion-dollar global specialty biopharmaceutical business that produces and sells generic and branded products and are together one of the country’s leading specialty pharmaceutical companies, in connection with their reorganization case.
- Pareteum Corp.: lead Chapter 11 counsel to the debtors, a publicly held, leading edge, global provider of mobile networking software solutions and services for communications service providers and enterprise retail customers, with operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, which included the successful closing of a going concern sale of substantially all of the debtors’ assets within 56 days of commencement of the cases and the confirmation of a liquidating chapter 11 plan.
- 96 Wythe Acquisition LLC: lead counsel to the Chapter 11 trustee for the debtor which was the owner and operator of the famed Williamsburg Hotel located in Brooklyn, New York. The Togut Firm assisted the Trustee in negotiating a multi-million-dollar settlement with the senior secured creditor which provided for, among other things, the use of cash collateral and additional funding which in turn facilitated an auction and sale process during the Fall 2023 economic crisis., The Trustee was able to consummate a going concern sale of the hotel for $96 million in cash and other consideration. Thereafter, the Togut Firm assisted the Trustee in negotiating and confirming a Chapter 11 Plan and represented the Liquidation Trustee after the Plan’s Effective Date to, among other things pursue several multi-million dollar causes of action in favor the estate.
Representative Clients
Representative Opinions
- Grubb & Ellis Co., et al., Case No. 12-10685 (MG), 478 B.R. 622 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2012) (Memorandum Opinion and Order Denying Former Agents’ Motion for Administrative Expense Claims)
- Grubb & Ellis Co., et al.,, Chapter 11 Case No. 12-10685 (MG), 2012 WL 1036071 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. March 27, 2012) (Memorandum Opinion Approving the Sale of Substantially All of the Debtors’ Assets)
- Cabrini Medical Center, et al., Chapter 11 Case No. 09-14398 (AJG), 2012 WL 527711 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y., February 16, 2012) (Opinion Denying Mannucci Parties’ Motions for Summary Judgment)
- Cabrini Medical Center, et al.,, Chapter 11 Case No. 09-14398 (AJG) (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. June 15, 2012) (Memorandum of Decision denying renewed motion for relief from automatic stay by the Mannucci Parties)
- Narumanchi vs Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers of New York ( Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers of New York, No. 11 Civ. 9431 (ER) (SDNY Sept. 27, 2012) (affirming Bankruptcy Court’s Order denying relief from automatic stay)
- Enron Corp. v. J.P. Morgan Sec., Inc. (Enron Corp.), 388 B.R. 131 (S.D.N.Y. 2008)
- Saint Vincent’s Catholic Med. Ctrs. of N.Y., No. 05 B 14945(ASH), 2007 WL 2492787 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Aug. 29, 2007)
- Enron Corp. v. Bear, Stearns Int’l Ltd. (Enron Corp.), 323 B.R. 857 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005), appeal denied, No. M-47, 01-16034, 03-93371, 03-93388, 03-93373, 2006 WL 1222035 (S.D.N.Y. May 3, 2006), adhered to on reconsideration by No. M-47(LBS), 01-16034, ADV. 03-93388, 2006 WL 1724516 (S.D.N.Y. June 19, 2006)
- LFD Operating, Inc. v. Ames Dep’t Stores, Inc. (Ames Dep’t Stores, Inc.), 144 F. App’x 900 (2d Cir. 2005), aff’g No. 02 Civ. 6271(SHS), 01-42217(REG), 01-8139A(AJG), 2004 WL 1948754 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 1, 2004), aff’g 274 B.R. 600 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2002)
- Joan and David Halpern Inc., 248 B.R. 43 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2000)
- 96 Wythe Acquisition LLC, Chapter 11 Case No. 21-22108 (SHL), 673 B.R. 303 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2025) (Memorandum of Decision granting summary judgment on behalf of the Chapter 11 Trustee).
Published Works
- Beverly A. Berneman, B. Summer Chandler, Ronald Howard, and Frank Oswald, Choppy Waters: Navigating the Intersection of Bankruptcy and Intellectual Property, 2nd ed. 2025
- Oswald, F. A., Wu, E. D., & Blander, E. E. "Chapter 11 Case Study: Pacific Drilling, SA.” in Cases in Financial Management: Applications for Financial Analysis, 2024 (pp. 525-554).
- Short Case Analysis: Gardens Regional Hospital and Medical Center Liquidating Trust v. State of California (In re Gardens Regional Hospital and Medical Center, Inc.), Case No. 18-60016 (9th Cir. Sept. 16, 2020)," Frank A. Oswald and Minta J. Nester, ABI Healthcare Newsletter, March 2021
- Frank A. Oswald, Bryan M. Kotliar, John C. Gallego, “Limitations on Business Judgment? The Intersections of §§ 363(b), 365 and 503(b) for Paying Creditors’ Professional Fees,” ABI Journal, March 2021
- Frank A. Oswald & Katherine A. Crispi, "M&As in Bankruptcy and Reorganization: The Implications on M&A, in Mergers & Acquisitions: A Practitioner’s Guide to Successful Deals" at 471-93 (Harvey A. Poniachek ed.)., 2019
- "The Common Interest Doctrine: Preserving Privilege Post-Petition," Frank A. Oswald and Lauren L. Peacock, ABI Journal Vol. XXXIV, No. 6, 36, June 2015
- "Liquidating Fiduciary Exception to WARN Act," Frank A. Oswald and Lara R. Sheikh, with Practical Law Company Labor & Employment, May, 2015
- "When 'Free and Clear' Does Not Mean 'Free and Clear' – Bankruptcy Sales Involving Collective Bargaining Agreement Successor Clauses", Norton Bankruptcy Law Adviser, May, 2014
- "Transfers of Medicare Provider Numbers in Bankruptcy", ABI Journal, May, 2009
- "Missing the Forest for the Trees and Neglected the Big Picture in §363", Norton Bankruptcy Law Advisor, April, 2009
Classes And Seminars
- ABI Distressed Real Estate Symposium, March 2026
- Panel Speaker for Strafford webinar, January 2025: Personal Liability Risk for Chapter 11 Management
- Business Bankruptcy 101 for Small/Mid-Size Firm and Solo Practitioners, New York City Bar webinar, March 2021
- ABI New York Conference, Health Care and Education Panel, May 2017
- Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference, Strategies to Exit Administratively Insolvent Chapter 11 Cases, February 2017
- Alternatives to Chapter 11, ABI New York Conference, 2015
- Health Care on the Front Lines, ABI 29th Annual Spring Meeting, Washington, D.C., April 2011
- Is Bankruptcy the Right Prescription for Distressed Health Care Providers, NYC Bar Association, New York, NY, March 2011
- Use of Valuations in Fraudulent Conveyance Cases, AIRA's 10th Annual Advanced Restructuring and Plan of Reorganization Conference, 2011
- Health Care Triage 2009, ABI Health Care Conference, Loyola University Chicago, June 2009
Professional Associations
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court EDNY Chapter 11 Lawyers Advisory Committee
- Bankruptcy Lawyers Bar Association, Member
- American Bankruptcy Institute and Health Care Subcommittee, Member
- New York City Bar Association, Bankruptcy Committee Member
- AIRA - Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors
- Turnaround Management Association Global Board Member 2026
- Turnaround Management Association New York Chapter, Executive Board Member, General Counsel/Governance Committee
- Practical Law Bankruptcy Advisory Service, Board Member, 2016 to Present
- New York State Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Turnaround Management Association—Global Board Member 2026, Executive Board Member of the New York Chapter
Awards / Recognition
- Super Lawyers Top 100 Super Lawyers in the New York Metro area (2024, 2025)
- Named a Super Lawyer every year since 2010
- Ranked lawyer in Chambers USA
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for New York City
- AV Preeminent Rating - Martindale-Hubbell Pier Review, 1996 - Present
- Recognized in The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers