Departments

Financial Services

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring

Education

J.D., University of Michigan, 2000
B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 1997

Admissions

Illinois, 2001
Florida, 2000

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar

Chicago

Phone: 312-873-3671

Fax: 312-819-1910

vCard

Monika J. Machen

Shareholder

Monika Machen specializes in corporate Chapter 11 bankruptcies and out-of-court restructurings. She handles sophisticated bankruptcy matters and related litigation on behalf of clients in federal courts throughout the country, including in Delaware, Chicago, New York and California. Her diverse client base includes debtors, bankruptcy committees, banks, equipment lessors, and funds involved in distressed deals. A zealous yet practical advocate, Ms. Machen is committed to delivering exceptional service to her clients in times of extreme crisis.

Prior to private practice, Ms. Machen served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable George L. Proctor, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Florida (Jacksonville).

Memberships and Affiliations

American Bar Association
Turnaround Management Association
International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation
Asian American Bar Association
Chicago Committee on Minorities at Large Law Firms
Advisory Board of Women Lawyers Alliance, Board Member, 2009-2010

Philanthropy

Ms. Machen frequently lends her legal skills to various philanthropic endeavors. Throughout her career, she has represented asylum seekers, indigent individuals, and pro bono organizations. Ms. Machen has also served as guardian ad litem for minor children requiring legal representation. In 2006, she successfully obtained permanent asylum status for a political refugee from Myanmar (Burma). Ms. Machen is currently representing an inmate who is prosecuting his Eighth Amendment claims against state government officials. An avid runner, Ms. Machen recently raced as a charity marathoner for one of her favorite charities, Girls On The Run.

Experience

Monika's selected public representations include:

Accuride Corp. Lead counsel to shareholders’ committee in a fiercely contested valuation and plan confirmation dispute involving one of the nation’s leading truck-parts supplier; successfully argued controversial proposition that ad hoc bondholders committee should be required to disclose material information regarding identity of its holders and details of their respective holdings. (Delaware)
Powermate Holding Corp. Represented creditors’ committee in prosecuting a questionable “dividend recap” transaction employed by the debtors’ insiders, which litigation resulted in a highly favorable settlement for unsecured creditors; currently representing post-effective date committee in liquidation and wind-down of debtors’ operations. (Delaware)
Lyondell Chemical Co. Currently representing international railcar lessor in connection with its multi-million dollar claim against specialty chemical manufacturing conglomerate. (New York)
Pacifica Mesa Studios, LLC Currently defending private equity fund in lender liability action brought by debtor, and in connection with funds’ claims against debtor and non-debtor guarantors. (California)
Movie Gallery, Inc. Represented second largest national movie and game rental company in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. (Virginia)
Philip Services Corp. Represented debtors specializing in environmental remediation and scrap metal sales. (Texas)
Preserve at Woodland Harbor, LLC Represented debtors in the coordinated involuntary bankruptcy filings of these “single asset real estate” companies; case resulted in the successful sale of the companies’ assets. (Illinois)
Fortunoff, Inc. Represented private equity fund in connection with “363” bankruptcy sale of this New York based specialty home goods and jewelry retailer. (New York)
Federal Mogul Corp. Participated in representation of unsecured creditors committee in the complex cross-border bankruptcy proceedings of this auto-parts conglomerate. (Delaware)
General Growth Properties Represented one of the largest unsecured creditors, and a member of the unsecured creditors’ committee, in connection with its critical vendor claims in the bankruptcy case of this Chicago-based real estate developer. (New York)
Delphi Corp. Represented significant trade creditor in connection with its disputed claims and sale of such claims for significant value in excess of ultimate distribution to unsecured creditors. (New York)