Willkie Adds Restructuring Partner Jeffrey Michalik In Chicago

January 20, 2026

New York, NY (January 20, 2026) --- Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is pleased to announce that restructuring attorney Jeffrey Michalik has joined as a partner based in the Firm's Chicago office.

Jeff has significant experience representing debtors in chapter 11 bankruptcies, complex out-of-court restructurings and cross-border insolvency matters. His practice includes restructurings of nationally recognized companies and brands across a wide range of industries, including energy, infrastructure, retail, food, manufacturing, healthcare, and oil and gas. He joins Willkie from Kirkland & Ellis, where he was a partner.

Jeff's arrival builds on the momentum of the Firm's growing restructuring platform, following the addition of nationally renowned debtor's counsel Ryan Blaine Bennett, who became Chair of the Restructuring Group in November 2025, and partner Allyson B. Smith, who joined in December.

"Jeff brings exceptional skill, diverse industry experience and a proven ability to guide clients through their most complex and high-stakes situations," said Ryan. "Having worked closely with Jeff before, I am confident that he will be an outstanding addition to our expanding restructuring practice. We are thrilled to welcome him to Willkie."

"Willkie has a sophisticated and market-leading global restructuring platform, and it's exciting to be a part of this team's strategic growth story," said Jeff. "I'm thrilled to be joining Willkie Chicago and to work with colleagues who I've long respected to deliver impressive results for our clients."

Willkie Chicago continues to expand rapidly. The office opened in March 2020 with six partners and now is home to more than 120 lawyers. "We welcome Jeff to Willkie Chicago. He represents further diversification of our practice mix and we are intentionally building a core presence in Chicago of our national bankruptcy practice first with national Restructuring leader Ryan and now with Jeff," said Craig C. Martin, Chairman Americas and partner in Willkie Chicago.

Willkie's Restructuring Department is a global practice comprised with market-leading capabilities in all aspects of business and financial restructurings and insolvency matters. Our integrated U.S. and European restructuring professionals offer the hands-on, results-driven experience that today's distressed situations demand. We are held in high regard for our responsiveness and proven experience in complex multi-lateral cross-border restructurings (both in and out of court). We represent a broad spectrum of clients in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and other key European jurisdictions.

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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our approximately 1,300 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic and sophisticated legal services across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at https://www.willkie.com.