New York, March 2 — Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that it has expanded its Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Restructuring Practice Group with the hiring of Frederick E. (Erik) Schmidt, Jr. as a member. Erik was previously a partner with Herrick, Feinstein’s Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring Group.
“Erik provides a wealth of experience and a proven track record in representing debtors, secured creditors, unsecured creditors and other parties-in-interest in complex Chapter 11 proceedings,” said Mark E. Felger, co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Restructuring Practice Group. “The knowledge, experience and contacts he brings to Cozen O’Connor will deepen an already distinguished national bankruptcy practice, and we are pleased to welcome him to the firm.”
Along with the recent addition of Leni Morrison Cummins, Erik’s hiring is another step in the growth of Cozen O’Connor’s depth and strength in New York. ”His arrival provides Cozen O’Connor with valuable experience in the important New York bankruptcy market,” said Abby Wenzel, managing partner of Cozen O’Connor’s New York midtown office.
Erik represents debtors, creditors and other parties-in-interest in Chapter 11 proceedings and in non-judicial corporate reorganizations and restructurings. His engagements have included the debtor representation of one of the largest pre-paid calling card producers, marketers and sellers in the world; representing a consignment creditor in various retail cases; counseling a purchaser of business assets from a pharmaceutical/nutritional supplement company in Chapter 11; and advising a national jewelry retail chain in successfully confirmed Chapter 11 cases.
A registered mediator with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, he has briefed and argued several cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Earlier in his career, Erik served as an associate with Angel & Frankel, which merged with Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard in 2006. He began his legal career as an associate with Stavis & Kornfeld.
He earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and his B.S. from the University of Connecticut. He is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has 575 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 23 offices across two continents.
###