Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Expands Bankruptcy Practice With Addition of Three Partners in New York

Press Release

April 29, 2026

NEW YORK (April 29, 2026) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Bankruptcy, Financial Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights practice with the addition of partners Allen G. Kadish, Gerard DiConza, and Harrison H.D. Breakstone, and associate Paris Gyparakis in the firm’s New York office.

The announcement follows SGR’s addition last month of 14 attorneys to its Intellectual Property practice, continuing the firm’s significant growth across key practice groups.

“Gerry, Allen, Harrison, and Paris each bring deep experience and strong market reputations in bankruptcy and restructuring,” said Shelly DeRousse, head of the firm’s Bankruptcy, Financial Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights practice. “Together, they notably expand our capabilities in this area and give our clients access to a team that can handle the most complex, high-stakes insolvency matters in New York and throughout the country.”

Kadish represents distressed businesses, creditors, lenders, fiduciaries, and investors navigating corporate crises, Chapter 11 restructurings, and out-of-court workouts across a broad range of industries, including real estate, healthcare, retail, energy, technology, and transportation. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American Bankruptcy Institute and has served on the Global Board of Directors of the Turnaround Management Association since 2015.

DiConza represents debtors, creditors, receivers, trustees, estate fiduciaries, distressed asset buyers, and other parties in interest in Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings. His practice includes the full spectrum of bankruptcy and restructuring work — from prosecuting avoidable transfer claims on behalf of estate fiduciaries, to navigating contested Section 363 sales, to advising debtors through restructurings. He has handled high-profile restructurings across industries, including high-end designer shoe retailers, national transportation and logistics companies, and commercial real estate owners.

Breakstone guides debtors, creditors, and stakeholders through complex corporate restructurings and bankruptcy proceedings with a strategic focus on preserving value and maximizing leverage. His practice spans debtors’ and creditors’ rights, bankruptcy litigation, and commercial disputes arising from financial distress.

Gyparakis represents financially distressed businesses, secured and unsecured creditors, and other stakeholders in corporate restructuring and bankruptcy cases. He counsels clients through Chapter 11 reorganizations, out-of-court workouts, and liquidations across multiple industries.

“SGR’s national platform gives us the ability to serve clients in new ways,” said Kadish. “When clients face complex restructuring challenges, they need more than bankruptcy counsel — they need a team that can engage on the litigation, real estate, corporate, and employment issues that inevitably arise alongside it. That’s exactly what SGR offers, and it’s what made this decision so compelling.”

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP’s Bankruptcy, Financial Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights Practice represents creditors, lenders, debtors, and trustees in all aspects of bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters. The team emphasizes practical, business-oriented solutions while maintaining a readiness for litigation when necessary. Drawing on the Firm’s deep experience in commercial lending, financial services, and complementary areas such as real estate, litigation, and securities, the practice regularly delivers innovative strategies to resolve complex insolvency issues. To learn more, please visit: https://www.sgrlaw.com/practices/bankruptcy/.

About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s more than 400 professionals provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, Smith Gambrell has 15 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Houston; Jacksonville; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Milan; Munich; New York; Southampton; Tampa; and Washington, D.C.