Richard M. Pachulski

Richard M. Pachulski


Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP

Recognized since 1999

Los Angeles, California

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Commercial Litigation

Litigation - Bankruptcy

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
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Mr. Pachulski is widely regarded as one of the preeminent corporate restructuring attorneys in America. He was recently named an “Attorney of the Year” by American Lawyer Media’s Recorder, and has been lead counsel on several deals that have been recognized as “Deal of the Year” by The M&A Advisor, Turnaround & Workouts and Global M&A Network. Over the past few years, he was lead counsel in the corporate restructurings of American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Solyndra LLC, and Mesa Airlines. Additionally, Mr. Pachulski also recently was lead bankruptcy counsel to Lehman Brothers in a matter involving over $2 billion due to Lehman Brothers.

For the past four decades, Mr. Pachulski has represented debtors and creditors' committees in both out-of-court workouts and in-court proceedings. In addition, he has extensive experience in business reorganizations, as well as debtor/creditor litigation across numerous industries. During the 1980s, he was a well-known chapter 7 and chapter 11 trustee. His work over this time span led to inclusion in the American College of Bankruptcy, an honorary association of the nation’s most esteemed bankruptcy and insolvency professionals.

Other career highlights include representation of the debtors in MagnaChip Semiconductor, Breed Technologies, Sizzler International, Covad Communications and Peregrine Systems; representation of the Circuit City Creditors’ Committee and, thereafter, the Circuit City Liquidating Trustee; representation of the ad hoc bondholders' committee in Adelphia Corporation; and lead counsel in the restructuring of the debts of internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Toni Braxton. In total, he has assisted in tens of billions of dollars in restructurings during his career.

Several national publications and organizations frequently recognize Mr. Pachulski for his work in the restructuring and turnaround field. For example, Chambers USA repeatedly ranks him as a top-tier national bankruptcy/restructuring attorney; Best Lawyers in America has listed him among the nation’s top bankruptcy attorneys every year since 1995; K&R Restructuring Register and Turnaround & Workouts listed him as one of America's top restructuring professionals; California Law Business listed him as one of “California's 100 Most Influential Attorneys;” and Los Angeles Business Journal listed him as one of fifteen top banking & finance “turnaround artists.” He also holds an “AV Preeminent Peer Rating,” Martindale-Hubbell's highest recognition for ethical standards and legal ability. In 2016, he was named to Thomson Reuters’ “Top 10: 2016 Southern California Super Lawyers” list and in 2018 was listed by Who's Who Legal among "Thought Leaders - Restructuring & Insolvency."

Mr. Pachulski is a graduate of UCLA, and received his J.D. from Stanford University. He is admitted to practice in California.

Location
  • 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, 13th Floor
    Los Angeles, CA 90067-4003
Education
  • Stanford University, J.D., graduated 1979
  • University of California - Los Angeles, B.A., graduated 1976
Bar Admissions
  • California, 1979
Affiliations
  • American College of Bankruptcy - Fellow
Federal Clerkships
  • United States District Court

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - 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 (2024)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Los Angeles (2019)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Awards:
  • Super Lawyers: Recognized in 2006 edition for Southern California
  • Chambers USA: Ranked as a top-tier national bankruptcy/restructuring attorney
  • The Recorder: Named Attorney of the Year in 2012
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy

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Publications

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