Michael Handler
Partner
King & Spalding LLP
Michael Handler focuses on representing lenders and bondholders across the capital structure and companies in all aspects of workout, restructuring, special situation financing matters and distressed M&A transactions. Michael also has significant experience in connection with investment manager and broker-dealer liquidations and wind-downs, private credit and broadly syndicated loan restructurings and insolvency-related structured finance matters.
Michael is at the forefront of intercreditor litigation and liability management transaction issues, having led significant contested matters concerning the protection of minority lender rights in the American Tire, Ascena Retail Group, Inc. and 24 Hour Fitness chapter 11 cases and the Boardriders, Inc. litigation in New York Supreme Court.
Michael has been recognized by the American Bankruptcy Institute as a member of the 2024 “40 Under 40” Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice, Financier Worldwide as a 2024 Distinguished Advisors, Turnarounds & Workouts as a 2023 Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer and by Best Lawyers Ones to Watch for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law for the past seven years.
Michael also devotes significant time and resources in support of New York philanthropic initiatives, including as an active fundraiser for Tina’s Wish, Her Justice, and the UJA Federation of New York (as a member of the UJA’s NextGen Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee). Michael earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in history, summa cum laude, from Emory University and his law degree, cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law, where he served as an Executive Articles Editor of the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology.
Michael is at the forefront of intercreditor litigation and liability management transaction issues, having led significant contested matters concerning the protection of minority lender rights in the American Tire, Ascena Retail Group, Inc. and 24 Hour Fitness chapter 11 cases and the Boardriders, Inc. litigation in New York Supreme Court.
Michael has been recognized by the American Bankruptcy Institute as a member of the 2024 “40 Under 40” Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice, Financier Worldwide as a 2024 Distinguished Advisors, Turnarounds & Workouts as a 2023 Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer and by Best Lawyers Ones to Watch for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law for the past seven years.
Michael also devotes significant time and resources in support of New York philanthropic initiatives, including as an active fundraiser for Tina’s Wish, Her Justice, and the UJA Federation of New York (as a member of the UJA’s NextGen Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee). Michael earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in history, summa cum laude, from Emory University and his law degree, cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law, where he served as an Executive Articles Editor of the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology.