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- Michael St. Patrick Baxter
Michael St. Patrick Baxter

Michael St. Patrick Baxter solves problems for clients involved in insolvency or bankruptcy situations. He does this effectively because of more than 30 years' experience helping clients solve their most difficult problems. He has successfully counseled clients in structuring transactions involving financially troubled companies, and has represented clients in workouts and debt restructurings. He is often consulted on issues involving agreements with distressed companies, including joint-venture, research-collaboration, and intellectual property agreements.
Mr. Baxter has represented virtually every significant constituency in a bankruptcy case, including debtors, creditors, committees, landlords, and employees. As a result, he has the unique ability to anticipate the needs and sensitivities of opposing parties in a case. This insight often facilitates the cost-effective resolution of difficult issues.
Mr. Baxter served as the bankruptcy examiner in the Trump casinos reorganization. He was appointed the consumer privacy ombudsman in the Performance Sports Group bankruptcy cases and in the Borders bankruptcy case to review the sale of personally identifiable information. He served as the Chapter 11 trustee in the Money Centers of America case.
Mr. Baxter is nationally and internationally recognized for his bankruptcy expertise. He is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, a Conferee of the National Bankruptcy Conference, a Founding Member of the International Insolvency Institute and a member of The American Law Institute. Mr. Baxter was appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States to serve on the U.S. Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules. He teaches Business Bankruptcy and Reorganization at The George Washington University Law School.
- Money Centers of America. Appointed Chapter 11 Trustee of this cash-access company.
- Performance Sports Group. Appointed the consumer privacy ombudsman to review the sale of personally identifiable information.
- Ahern Rentals. Counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors.
- Trump Entertainment Resorts. Appointed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy examiner to investigate the role of Donald Trump in the Debtor’s plan of reorganization.
- Borders. Appointed the consumer privacy ombudsman to review the sale of personally identifiable information.
- Congoleum Corporation. Successfully represented Congoleum as insurance counsel in its Chapter 11 reorganization to resolve its asbestos liabilities.
- Chrysler and General Motors. Successfully represented Union Pacific Railroad as a creditor in these bankruptcy cases.
- Railpower Hybrid Technologies. Successfully represented Union Pacific Railroad as the largest creditor in this Chapter 15 cross-border bankruptcy case.
- Chemtura. Successfully represented one of the largest shareholders and a member of the official equity committee.
- Perkins & Marie Callender’s Inc. Appointed post-bankruptcy claims administrator.
- Bangor & Aroostook Railroad. Successfully represented the purchaser in the bankruptcy sale of the Debtor's railroad assets.
- World Egg Bank. Appointed the consumer privacy ombudsman to review the bankruptcy sale of the Debtor's donor eggs and medical records.
- Pathnet Telecommunications. Successfully represented the Debtor in its Chapter 11 liquidation.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Judicial Conference of the United States Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules, Member (appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States) (2008-2014)
- The George Washington University Law School, Adjunct Professor of Law
- American Bar Association Business Law Section Council, Member (2011-2015)
- American Bankruptcy Law Journal, Editorial Advisory Board (2012-2014)
- American Bankruptcy Institute Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11 Advisory Committee
- American Bar Association Business Bankruptcy Committee, Past Chair
March 20, 2020, Covington Alert
The full ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic are uncertain, but we should expect that significant economic dislocation will be felt not only by industries already suffering from financial distress and seeking bankruptcy relief (retail, healthcare, small biotech, pharma companies, and energy) but many other industries, including manufacturers, carriers, ...
2016, American Bankruptcy Law Journal
August 18, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2014 — Best Lawyers named Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat and Gregg Levy each a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in international trade and sports law, respectively, citing their “abilities, professionalism and integrity.” Overall, Covington lawyers received 217 individual mentions in 58 areas of law in the newly released annual survey ...
Covington Advises Natrogen on Agreements with Takeda
December 20, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, December 20, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Natrogen Therapeutics International in its agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals for the exclusive license for worldwide development of Natura-alpha, a synthetic small molecule oral compound that is believed to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, as well as an option to acquire Natrogen. ...
November 21, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, November 21, 2013 — Washingtonian magazine has named 34 Covington & Burling attorneys as “Best Lawyers” in its December issue. The biennial list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the hundreds of “Best Lawyers” identified in the issue, Washingtonian spotlights 14 leading Washington ...
August 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 2, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, May 2, 2012 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 64 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2012 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza and Robert Long have been named among the “Top 100” for ...
November 30, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, November 30, 2011 — Washingtonian magazine has named 34 Covington & Burling attorneys as “Best Lawyers” in its December issue. The biennial list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the approximately 800 “Best Lawyers” identified in the issue, Washingtonian included profiles of 31 ...
September 7, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 184 individual mentions in 56 areas of law in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: ...
August 15, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, August 15, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that partner Michael St. Patrick Baxter has been appointed to the Council of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section. “I am honored by this appointment and by the trust and confidence placed in me by the Section leadership,” Mr. Baxter said. “I look forward to ...
June 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 17, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, May 17, 2011 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 55 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2011 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza has been named among the “Top 50 Women,” and Robert Long ...
2011, National Bankruptcy Conference 2011 Annual Meeting
August 6, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 138 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
June 16, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 112 individual mentions and 44 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2010. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
March 18, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, March 18, 2010 — Forty-five Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2010 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. In addition, partners Deborah Garza and Robert Long have ...
Washingtonian Names 25 Covington Attorneys ‘Top Lawyers’
11/23/2009
WASHINGTON, DC, November 23, 2009 — Twenty-five Covington & Burling LLP attorneys are recognized as “Top Lawyers” in the December issue of Washingtonian magazine. The list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the “Top Lawyers,” Washingtonian identified 30 as “stars of the bar.” Among them is Michael ...
9/18/2009
WASHINGTON, DC, September 18, 2009 — Four Covington & Burling LLP partners were recognized at the Washington Business Journal’s “2009 Top Washington Lawyers” awards gala held last night at The Fairmont Washington. Tony Herman, who chairs the firm’s public service committee, was named the “Top Washington Lawyer” in the pro bono category. Paul Schmidt, a ...
August 7, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 131 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
June 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, June 12, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 100 individual mentions and 40 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2009. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
2009, 83 Am. Bankr. L.J. 111
Covington’s Baxter Appointed to Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules
11/13/2008
WASHINGTON, DC, November 13, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP partner Michael St. Patrick Baxter has been appointed by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., to the Judicial Conference of the United States’ Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules. The Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules studies the bankruptcy rules of procedure and practice, considers and drafts ...
September 29, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 124 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
8/12/2008
WASHINGTON, DC, August 12, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP partner Michael St. Patrick Baxter has been appointed Chair of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section of Business Law. The Business Bankruptcy Committee is the world’s largest organization of bankruptcy restructuring lawyers. It operates through 33 subcommittees, as ...
June 16, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 81 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in the newly released 2008 Chambers USA. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington ...
11/30/2007
WASHINGTON, DC, November 30, 2007 — Nineteen Covington & Burling LLP attorneys are recognized as “Top Lawyers” in the December 2007 issue of Washingtonian magazine. The list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff based on peer recommendations, identifies leading lawyers in the Greater Washington area. Of the “Top Lawyers,” Washingtonian identified 30 as the ...
10/11/2007
WASHINGTON, DC, October 11, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP partner Michael Baxter has been elected a member of the National Bankruptcy Conference. The National Bankruptcy Conference (NBC) is a non-profit organization of approximately 60 lawyers, law professors, and bankruptcy judges who are leading scholars and practitioners in the field of bankruptcy law. The ...
September 6, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, September 6, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 115 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The recipients are as follows: Administrative: E. Edward Bruce and ...
June 18, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 44 practice mentions and 74 individual mentions in the newly released 2007 Chambers USA guidebook. The 2007 edition of Chambers USA attempts to identify the most skilled legal practitioners throughout the country based on the qualities most valued by clients. Covington attorneys have been ...
2004, 59 Business Lawyer 475
La Faillite À L'américaine: Une Introduction Au Chapitre 11 Du Code Des Faillites Des États-Unis
2004
2001, 10 Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice 121
1999, 8 Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice 483
1997, 52 Business Lawyer 577
1996, 12 Bankruptcy Developments Journal 703
The Fiduciary Obligations of Directors of a Target Company in Resisting an Unsolicited Takeover Bid
1988, 20 Ottawa Law Review 63
- American College of Bankruptcy, Fellow
- National Bankruptcy Conference, Conferee
- The American Law Institute, Member
- International Insolvency Institute, Founding Member
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- The George Washington University Law School 2009 Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers
- Legal 500 US
- Washingtonian's "30 Stars of the Bar"
- Washingtonian's "Top Lawyers"
- Washington DC Super Lawyers
- Who's Who in American Law
- The International Who's Who of Insolvency & Restructuring Lawyers
- Guide to the World's Leading Insolvency & Restructuring Lawyers

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