People
Michael R. Handler is a partner in King & Spalding’s Finance and Restructuring practice. Michael’s practice 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 restructurings and insolvency-related structured finance matters.
Michael is at the forefront of intercreditor litigation and related 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 is a leading authority on intercreditor issues, and is regularly featured by Bloomberg, WSJ, Debtwire, among others, to provide insights.
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 in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
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.
Publications
J.D., Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, cum laude
B.A., Emory University, summa cum laude
M.A., Emory University, summa cum laude
New York
February 18, 2025
Michael Handler explains why an in-court bankruptcy makes sense for a company stuck with non-funded debt liabilities
January 24, 2025
King & Spalding Advises on M&A Advisor’s Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year
January 2, 2025
Michael Handler comments on the Fifth Circuit overturning a $200M uptiering transaction by mattress company Serta Simmons
Representation of an ad hoc group of minority term lenders in connection with the chapter 11 cases of American Tire in the District of Delaware.
Representation of Blue Torch in respect of its senior secured term loan holdings (and stalking horse credit bid and DIP financing) in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Troika Media Group in the Southern Disrtrict of New York.
Representation of Capital One in connection with the amend and extend of the Prime REIT and KBS REIT III credit facilities.
See moreDecember 9, 2024
Invitae Bankruptcy Court Disallowance of Make-Whole Claim Cautions Against LME Debt Pricing Pig Out
July 10, 2024
Private Credit Restructuring: Less Cost and Volatility; More Optionality
June 28, 2024
Bankruptcy & Insolvency 2024 - Distinguished Advisers
February 18, 2025
Michael Handler explains why an in-court bankruptcy makes sense for a company stuck with non-funded debt liabilities
January 24, 2025
King & Spalding Advises on M&A Advisor’s Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year
January 2, 2025
Michael Handler comments on the Fifth Circuit overturning a $200M uptiering transaction by mattress company Serta Simmons
Representation of an ad hoc group of minority term lenders in connection with the chapter 11 cases of American Tire in the District of Delaware.
Representation of Blue Torch in respect of its senior secured term loan holdings (and stalking horse credit bid and DIP financing) in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Troika Media Group in the Southern Disrtrict of New York.
Representation of Capital One in connection with the amend and extend of the Prime REIT and KBS REIT III credit facilities.
See moreDecember 9, 2024
Invitae Bankruptcy Court Disallowance of Make-Whole Claim Cautions Against LME Debt Pricing Pig Out
July 10, 2024
Private Credit Restructuring: Less Cost and Volatility; More Optionality
June 28, 2024
Bankruptcy & Insolvency 2024 - Distinguished Advisers
February 18, 2025
Michael Handler explains why an in-court bankruptcy makes sense for a company stuck with non-funded debt liabilities
January 24, 2025
King & Spalding Advises on M&A Advisor’s Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year
January 2, 2025
Michael Handler comments on the Fifth Circuit overturning a $200M uptiering transaction by mattress company Serta Simmons
J.D., Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, cum laude
B.A., Emory University, summa cum laude
M.A., Emory University, summa cum laude
New York