Profile
Ari Newman has experience handling a variety of complex legal issues that arise in distressed situations, including in connection with Chapter 11 restructurings and liquidations, strategic planning, workouts, distressed transactions, bankruptcy litigation and state law liquidations. Ari typically represents and offers counsel to companies experiencing distress, Chapter 11 debtors, official committees in Chapter 11 cases, DIP lenders, secured and unsecured creditors, parties to distressed transactions, and parties to bankruptcy litigation.
Capabilities
Experience
- International airline in connection with multibillion-dollar out-of-court restructuring.
- Owner of billion-dollar solar energy facility in planning for strategic alternatives.
- A.B.C. Carpet Co., Inc., et. al, in Chapter 11 cases involving the storied abc carpet & home retailer in New York City and a 363 sale of the debtors’ assets that preserved jobs and an iconic brand. (S.D.N.Y.)
- Zosano Pharma Corporation in its Chapter 11 case involving a 363 sale of the debtor’s clinical biopharmaceutical assets and confirmation of a liquidating plan. (D. Del.)
- Cyren Ltd and its affiliates in the cross-border liquidation of their cyber-security business with operations across five countries.
- 1 Global Capital, LLC and its affiliate in Chapter 11 cases involving merchant cash advances and claims totaling over $250 million. (S.D. Fla.)
- Nighthawk Production LLC, et. al, in Chapter 11 cases involving a 363 sale of the debtors’ assets and related cross-border ancillary proceeding of London Stock Exchange-listed parent in U.K. (D. Del.)
- Optima Specialty Steel, et. al, in the restructuring of $320 million in debt through a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. (D. Del.)
- Trigeant Ltd., et. al., in their Chapter 11 reorganization involving $100 million sale of Texas oil refinery and disposition of cross-border claims. (S.D. Fla.)
- Owner and plan sponsor in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of PGA Flyover, LLC, owner of a 15.738-acre parcel of land, which is developed with a mixed-use development known as PGA Professional and Design Center. (S.D. Fla.)
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 case of Alpha Entertainment LLC, owner of the XFL football league. (D. Del.)
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 cases of Aztec / Shaffer LLC and its affiliate. (S.D. Tex.)
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 cases of Path Medical, LLC and its affiliate. (S.D. Fla.)
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 case of DM World Transportation, LLC (M.D. Fla.)
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 case of Bunkers International Corp. (M.D. Fla.)
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of C&J Energy Services Ltd., et al. (S.D. Tex.)
- Official Committee of Non-Insider Equity Holders of Erie Street Investors, LLC. (N.D. Ill.)
- Ad Hoc Committee of Lenders to a metals company owed over $150 million.
- Largest unsecured creditor in the Chapter 11 case of Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc., et al. (D. Del.)
- Largest secured lender in media company Chapter 11 case. (C.D. Cal.)
- Largest unsecured creditor in the Chapter 11 case of Lasik Vision Institute, et al. (D. Del.)
- Private lender to the Sports, Media and Entertainment industries in over $150 million of issued loans.
- Private lender in conducting UCC strict foreclosure involving more than $30 million in assets.
- Senior secured lender in securing payment in full plus interest in Beacon at Brickell Village bankruptcy case. (S.D. Fla.)
- Senior secured lender owed approximately $200 million in the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort Chapter 11 cases. (M.D. Fla.)
- Joint venture partner in acquisition of 64 self-storage facilities out of bankruptcy under section 363. (N.D. Tex.)
- Large grocery chain in acquisition of stores valued at approximately $40 million in A&P bankruptcy case. (S.D.N.Y.)
- Media company in acquisition of Ebony and Jet magazines out of bankruptcy under section 363. (S.D. Tex.)
- Large REIT in acquisition of storage facility out of bankruptcy under section 363. (S.D. Tex.)
- Various purchasers of, and bidders for, distressed assets in and out of bankruptcy.
- Financial institutions in defense of preference and fraudulent transfer claims. (S.D. Fla.)
- Over 30 preference defendants in Chapter 7 case of Axium International. (C.D. Cal.)
Recognition & Leadership
- Selected, Global M&A Network, Rising Star Dealmakers,” 2024
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, Bankruptcy/ Restructuring, 2023
- Listed, American Bankruptcy Institute, “40 Under 40,” 2023
- Member, The M&A Advisor’s Turnaround Awards, “Restructuring Deal of the Year” for the restructuring of A.B.C. Carpet Co, Inc. and affiliates, 2022
- Member, Americas M&A Atlas Awards, “Americas Distressed M&A Deal” for the restructuring and asset sale of Aztec Events & Tents (Aztec/Shaffer)
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Finance > Restructuring (Including Bankruptcy): Corporate, "Other Key Lawyer," 2022
- Member, Winning Team, “Distressed M&A Deal of the Year (Small Cap)” for the sale of Nighthawk Energy, Global M&A Network’s Americas M&A Atlas Awards, 2018
- Member, Winning Team, Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas Award, “Chapter 11 Restructuring of the Year - Middle Markets,” for the restructuring of Optima Specialty Steel, 2018
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars,” 2015-2018
- Member, Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida
- Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Co-Chair, Agency Support Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation
- Board Member, Greater Miami Jewish Federation
- Board Member, Beth Israel Congregation
- Board Member (2016-2018), The Network (under 45 Board of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation)
Credentials
Education
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J.D., magna cum laude, University of Miami School of Law
- Order of the Coif
- University of Miami Inter-American Law Review
- Recipient, Fellowship Prize, Center for Ethics and Public Service, 2008
- Recipient, CALI Excellence Award: Introduction to Financial Accounting for Lawyers
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B.A., Economics, summa cum laude, Yeshiva University
- Departmental Award in Economics, 2004-2005
Admissions
- Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida