John Sigel is a partner and the chair of the firm's Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice Group. He joined the firm in 1980.
Practice
Mr. Sigel concentrates his practice on commercial law, advising clients on secured and unsecured lending and debt issuance, Chapter 11 reorganizations and the Uniform Commercial Code. He has dealt in particular with matters relating to debt financings of public and private companies and acquisitions and sales of distressed companies.
Mr. Sigel has represented many clients in negotiating credit facilities with institutional lenders, including the private placement of debt securities. He also has advised corporate clients in connection with the public offering of debt securities. In Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, Mr. Sigel has represented debtors, creditors and purchasers.
Recent Highlights
- Represented a midwestern security alarm finance company in the out-of-court restructuring of $180 million of its debt and the sale of its assets
- Represented a computer equipment manufacturer in the purchase of a suite of software products from a Chapter 11 debtor
- Advised a life science client, a US television broadcaster and other issuers in the issuance of more than $1.0 billion in Rule 144A note offerings over the last year
- Counsel to Arch Wireless, Inc. in the issuance of $300 million of subordinated secured notes under its confirmed Chapter 11 plan of reorganization
- Counsel to Business Express, Inc., a regional airline, in its successful Chapter 11 reorganization
- Represented manufacturing and retail clients in the securitization of accounts receivable
- Over the last year, advised clients in the negotiation, amendment and extension of credit facilities aggregating more than $2 billion
Professional Activities
Mr. Sigel is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association. He frequently lectures on issues concerning commercial law.
Honors and Awards
Speaking Engagements
- Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education,Sixth Annual Bankruptcy Law Conference 2004 – "Cram-down and Confirmation Issues after Till v. SCS Credit Corporation"– Co-presenter – Boston, MA – October 26, 2004
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Northeast Bankruptcy Conference – "Ethical Issues in the Retention of Professionals" – Co-presenter – Bretton Woods, NH – July 16, 2004
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Northeast Bankruptcy Conference – "Staying Alive: Business Chapter 11 Strategy Under the Bankruptcy Amendments of 2005" – Co-presenter – Newport, RI – July 14, 2006
Publications
- "Q&A With WilmerHale's John Sigel." An interview with John Sigel, published in Law360.
- Co-author. "Scratching the Surface of Collateral Valuation After Rash." MCLE Sixth Annual Bankruptcy Law Conference, October 2004.
- Co-author. "Ethical Issues in the Retention of Professionals." ABI Northeast Bankruptcy Conference, July 2004.
