Bankruptcy Partner Joins Phelps Dunbar
This article was written for Law 360 and was published Nov. 2, 2023 under the title Ex-K&L Gates Bankruptcy Partner Joins Phelps Dunbar.
Phelps Dunbar LLP said a former K&L Gates partner with extensive bankruptcy experience has joined the Houston office as a partner.
Brian Kilmer joined Phelps Dunbar in mid-October, he told Law360 Thursday. He has 25 years of experience as a bankruptcy attorney working with debtors and creditors committees in states including Texas and Louisiana, according to the firm's news release.
Kilmer said he was attracted by the prospect of working for a law firm with a strong presence in the South, competitive billing rates and a good team he could bolster with his expertise working with creditors committees and debtors.
"My goal in coming over to Phelps Dunbar is to help to grow our practice into one of the premier bankruptcy and reorganization teams in the South," he said. He believes there will be a "boom" in restructurings and bankruptcies and sees Phelps Dunbar as especially well situated to respond to it, particularly in the middle market.
Kilmer also has experience representing clients in acquiring distressed assets, according to his profile on Phelps Dunbar's website.
In 2014, Kilmer represented former-NFL player Vince Young in his Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. In 2017, he was part of a team that represented maritime lien claimant Aqueos Corp. in Montco Offshore Inc.'s bankruptcy and a related adversary proceeding.
Ivan Rodriguez, managing partner of Phelps Dunbar's Houston office, said in the news release that businesses are bringing "increasingly complex reorganizations" to the area, and he highlighted Kilmer's relevant experience.
"With a long, successful track record in the Texas bankruptcy market, Brian brings significant experience and a 'boots on the ground' approach to help local, regional and national clients," he said in the news release.
Kilmer earned his law degree from Tulane University Law School and an undergraduate degree from Plymouth State College, according to Phelps Dunbar's website.
Phelps Dunbar employs more than 370 attorneys, according to the news release. It maintains 13 offices in the U.S. and London, according to its website.
