Kramer Levin Elevates Two to Counsel and Four to Special Counsel

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP has promoted David Blabey, Jr., and Helayne Stoopack to counsel, effective April 1, 2019. The new counsel are members of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring and Tax practices, respectively, and are based in the firm’s New York office.

The firm has also promoted Steven Segal, Joseph Shifer, Benu Wells and Jill Garfinkel to special counsel, retroactive to January 1, 2019. The new special counsel are members of the firm’s Corporate, Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Intellectual Property and Real Estate practices, respectively, and are based in the firm’s New York office.

Managing Partner Paul S. Pearlman said, “Our new counsel and special counsel represent the best of Kramer Levin, and they uphold the highest principles of the legal profession as well as the firm’s unwavering commitment to our clients’ best interests. I commend them on their accomplishments and wish them continued success.”

David E. Blabey Jr. – Bankruptcy and Restructuring, New York 

David E. Blabey, Jr., represents diverse parties, including official creditors’ committees, bondholders, secured and unsecured creditors, and investors, as well as debtors, in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings and other distressed situations. Outside of the Chapter 11 context, he has played a major role in recent litigation over Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring efforts, including successful litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Blabey earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Amherst College and his J.D. from the New York University School of Law.

Helayne Oberman Stoopack – Tax, New York

Helayne Oberman Stoopack concentrates her practice on federal income taxation. Ms. Stoopack provides advice to clients regarding mergers and acquisitions, tax-free spinoffs, joint ventures, real estate transactions, bankruptcy reorganizations and workouts, investment partnerships, regulated investment companies, public charities, private foundations, charitable donations, and individual income tax issues. She also represents clients in federal and state tax controversies. Ms. Stoopack earned her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Brown University, her master’s degree from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Steven Segal – Corporate, New York

Steven Segal counsels clients on general corporate matters, with a particular focus on securities law and transactional matters in the municipal and corporate restructuring context. Mr. Segal advises both issuers and creditors on a variety of transactions, including public offerings, financings, private exchanges, restructuring support agreements, and an assortment of restructuring transactions and other special situations both in and out of court. His work also includes the analysis of indentures and other complex credit documents governing instruments across the capital structure for mutual funds, hedge funds and other institutional investors.  Mr. Segal earned his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Yeshiva University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Joseph A. Shifer – Bankruptcy and Restructuring, New York

Joseph A. Shifer’s practice focuses primarily on bankruptcy and restructuring matters. Mr. Shifer’s restructuring experience includes advising debtors, official creditors’ committees, ad hoc creditor groups, noteholders, plan proponents, distressed investors, and other estate constituencies and fiduciaries in complex Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings. Mr. Shifer also advises financial institutions and various other investors regarding investments in distressed companies. He has been involved in matters relating to a diverse range of industries including energy, financial, shipping, retail, automotive, manufacturing, mining, health care and gaming. Mr. Shifer earned his bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Benu Wells – Intellectual Property, New York

Benu Wells represents clients in complex patent and general commercial litigation in federal courts across the country. In patent litigation, Ms. Wells represents both patent owners seeking to enforce their rights and companies defending against allegations of patent infringement across various technology sectors, including the electrical, software, computer security, satellite radio, consumer product and pharmaceutical industries. She also has represented both patentees and generic pharmaceutical manufacturers in litigations under the Hatch-Waxman Act. Ms. Wells earned her bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Youngstown State University and her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Jill B. Garfinkel – Real Estate, New York

Jill B. Garfinkel represents sellers and purchasers in the acquisition, sale and lease of high-end co-op and condominium units, townhouses, and residential homes. With more than 25 years of experience in these often-complex transactions, Ms. Garfinkel provides clients with comprehensive services, including pre-contract due diligence review of properties, contract preparation and negotiation, and title and lien search review. She also guides clients through all aspects of the residential closing transaction. Ms. Garfinkel earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York and her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.