Mark has extensive experience as an investor, investment banker and law firm restructuring, financing and bankruptcy partner, working successfully on some of the most complex distressed situations in the US and internationally over his 30-year career.
He has successfully formed and led ad hoc creditor and equity holder committees in many distressed situations as well as worked on the company side of many large restructurings. He is known for finding creative and commercial solutions, bringing together his legal and financial expertise to help clients solve their problems.
 
Prior to joining the firm, Mark was Managing Director & Head of Restructuring at a multi-billion-dollar global hedge fund.
 
In addition, Mark also spent 12 years as an investment banker and Head of Restructuring at Barclays and Lehman Brothers.

Experience

Representative matters

  • Azul Airlines—the Brazilian airline company—in connection with a comprehensive US$3.2 billion debt restructuring, which included exchange offers and consent solicitations for US$1 billion of senior notes, the issuance of US$800 million of new notes and the restructuring of US$350 million of convertible debentures.
  • Large creditors in connection with the Chapter 11 cases of Gol Linhas, the Brazilian airline company. 
  • Creditors in connection with litigation involving PDVSA, the Venezuelan oil company.
  • Greenidge Generation Holdings—a bitcoin mining and power generation company—in the restructuring of its debt and business, including the transfer of a significant portion of its mining rigs to NYDIG, its equipment lender, in exchange for significant debt reduction, a new financing agreement, and 5-year hosting arrangements with NYDIG.
  • Ad hoc group of holders of 8.875% senior secured notes of Grupo Kaltex, S.A. de C.V.—the Mexican textile company—in an out-of-court exchange offer through which certain eligible holders could exchange existing notes for up to US$118 million of new senior secured notes.
  • Ad hoc group of holders of senior unsecured notes in the Chapter 11 cases of Grupo Posadas S.A.B. de C.V., Mexico’s largest hotel operator.
  • Significant institutional equity holder in the chapter 11 cases of FTX, the largest and most high-profile crypto bankruptcy to date.
  • Playfly Sports—a sports media, marketing and technology company—in the chapter 11 cases of Diamond Sports Group in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
  • Prior to re-joining the firm in 2021, Mark led: 

– public and private side fixed-income investments and bond, loan and equity ad hoc committees in connection with PG&E, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, Travelport, Mallinckrodt, Intelsat, First Energy, Energy Harbor, Aubrey McClendon estate, Peabody Coal, Comstock Resources, Ultra Petroleum and many others;

– investment banking financing and underwriting teams on many complex financing transactions in Chapter 11 and out of court, including Rescap DIP and Exit Loans, Tribune DIP Loan, OSG Shipping Exit Loan, CIT Financial Rescue, JC Penney Rescue, Patriot Coal DIP and Exit Loan and others;

– investment banking advisory teams in many high profile Chapter 11 cases and cross-border restructurings, including U.S. Airways acquisition of American Airlines, Rotech Healthcare in its Chapter 11 case, PBGC in Saint Gobain/Ardagh sale, Pinnacle Airways in its Chapter 11 case, Asarco in its Chapter 11 case, Six Flags in its Chapter 11 case, Generation Brands in its out of court restructuring, Eurotunnel in its out- of-court restructuring, Meridien Hotels PLC in its recapitalization, Brookfield in connection with GGP Chapter 11 case and others;

– assignments in a number of restructurings in Latin America including TGLT (Argentina), Oi S.A. (Brazil), BAESA (Argentina), Alpargatas (Argentina) and others.

Pro bono

  • Mark has advised Rebuilding Together NYC, a non-profit organization that provides support to rehabilitate the homes of low-income persons.

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker on Lehman Brothers Chapter 11 case and other issues at Yale School of Management, Columbia Business School, Wharton School of Business and has participated as a speaker in many expert panels and conferences, including National Bankruptcy Judges Conference, ABI, Barclays High Yield Conference

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • New York State Bar Association Committee on Bankruptcy (2002)

Recognition

Mark Shapiro has a multi-faceted background at law firms and in industry that is uncommon. The different viewpoints are readily apparent in the recommendations that he provides. He seems to better understand the client’s position better than most.
Legal 500, 2002

Awards

  • National Human Relations Award, AJC Bankruptcy Committee, 2011

Qualifications

Admissions

New York State (First Dept)-NY-State – Bar Admitted, 1987

Academic

Bachelor of Arts, Hobart & William Smith College, 1982
London School of Economics, Semester Abroad, 1981
J.D., Columbia University – School of Law, 1986
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.