Isaac M. Pachulski

Isaac M. Pachulski


Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP

Recognized since 1993

Los Angeles, California

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Litigation - Bankruptcy

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2011 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
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Mr. Pachulski is a nationally prominent bankruptcy attorney with over four decades of experience in reorganization proceedings and in dealing with a broad spectrum of bankruptcy-related issues. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Pachulski has specialized in corporate reorganization, insolvency, and bankruptcy law. He has represented debtors, significant creditors, official and unofficial committees, and creditor groups in cases around the country. Many of Mr. Pachulski’s representations are nonpublic, involving advice to clients on a variety of bankruptcy-related issues. He has represented substantial creditors and creditor groups in major chapter 11 cases such as those of Westinghouse (substantial creditor); Toys R Us (substantial bondholder); Lehman Brothers (substantial creditor and bondholder); Tribune (substantial noteholder) Scotia Pacific Co. ( holders of in excess of $200 million of secured notes); Calpine (appellate co-counsel to certain holders of convertible notes), Adelphia Communications (substantial noteholder and special conflicts counsel to ad hoc noteholder group) and Enron Corp. ( holders of in excess of $3 billion of senior unsecured debt). Recently, Mr. Pachulski represented the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees in submitting an amicus brief to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the creditors' committee in an appeal that focused on the remedies available in a fraudulent conveyance action in Senior Transeastern Lenders v. Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (In re Tousa, Inc.), No. 17-11545 (11th Cir. July 19, 2017).

Previously, Mr. Pachulski has represented debtors and, to a lesser extent, trustees. Among these representations: He acted as lead chapter 11 counsel for Mariner Post-Acute Network, Inc., Mariner Health Group, Inc., and 185 affiliated entities that collectively operated approximately 400 skilled nursing and long-term acute care facilities as of the chapter 11 filing, and who successfully confirmed a chapter 11 plan. Mr. Pachulski represented the trustee for a failed clearing broker in a proceeding under the Securities Investor Protection Act.

Mr. Pachulski is a member of the National Bankruptcy Conference (where he chaired the Chapter 11 Committee and has previously served on the Executive Committee) and the International Insolvency Institute, as well as being a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. In 2009, he testified before Congress on behalf of the National Bankruptcy Conference in connection with issues affecting the reorganization of retailers. He has been named in Who's Who Legal (for Insolvency & Restructuring), the Best of the Best (Legal Media Group), 500 Leading Lawyers in America; Southern California Best Lawyers in America (2011 & 2012); Best Lawyers in America (every year since 1993); and Super Lawyers for Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights (Super Lawyers Magazine; every year since 2004). Mr. Pachulski holds an AV Preeminent Peer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell's highest recognition for ethical standards and legal ability.

He received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Harvard University, earning the distinguished Fay Diploma for highest cumulative grade average. While at Harvard, he won the Sears Prize two years in a row and was a member of the Harvard Law Review. His BA was earned summa cum laude at University of California Los Angeles. He is admitted to practice in California.

Location
  • 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, 13th Floor
    Los Angeles, CA 90067-4003
Education
  • Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1974
  • University of California - Los Angeles, B.A., graduated 1971
Bar Admissions
  • California, 1974
Affiliations
  • American Bankruptcy College - Fellow
  • International Insolvency Institute - Member
  • National Bankruptcy Conference - Member
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2011 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Los Angeles (2025)
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy, Los Angeles (2019)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Los Angeles (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Awards:
  • Super Lawyers: Recognized in 2004-2020 editions for Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights
  • Who’s Who Legal: Recognized for Insolvency & Restructuring
  • Southern California Best Lawyers in America: Named to list in 2011 & 2012
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy

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Publications

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