Overview

He resolves issues with a very commercial lens and a strong understanding of the law.” - Chambers USA, 2022

Chris Greco is a partner in Kirkland’s Restructuring Group. He represents debtors, creditors, equity holders, sponsors, boards of directors and investors in all aspects of corporate restructuring transactions across a broad range of industries. Chris has advised clients in some of the most complex and contentious bankruptcy proceedings in recent years.

Chambers USA has recognized Chris as a leading lawyer with sources noting that “he resolves issues with a very commercial lens and strong understanding of the law, ” and that “he is a strong and effective bankruptcy lawyer.” Chris has been described as “very commercial and comfortable in court,” and as “very devoted to his clients and a wonderful guy to talk with.” Sources have also noted that he “is a remarkable lawyer” who “brings a great deal of experience and is a great, hands-on attorney who provides tremendous support” and is “an excellent, level-headed, constructive, personable and thoughtful guy” who is notable for his “good business sense.”

Turnarounds & Workouts recognized Chris as an “Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer – 2023” and an “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer – 2018.” The American Bankruptcy Institute selected Chris for its 2019 list of “Forty Under Forty–Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice.” Chris was also named one of Law360’s “Risings Stars for 2019,” one of five bankruptcy attorneys under 40 whose accomplishments transcend their age.

Chris is a frequent lecturer, speaker, and writer on restructuring related topics. He recently published articles in notable industry publications, including New York Law Journal and Journal of Corporate Renewal, among others. Chris serves on the Board of Visitors of Wake Forest University School of Law and has taught classes on distressed investing at a number of law schools, including Wake Forest, Penn, and Cardozo.

Chris serves as co-chair of Kirkland’s Firmwide Recruiting Committee as well as co-chair of the New York Office Recruiting Committee, which guide the Firm’s on-campus, lateral and summer associate program efforts. He has been active in leading several major training and development programs for the Restructuring Group and serves on numerous other committees throughout the Firm. 

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Thought Leadership

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, “The Future of Mass Tort Resolution,” Cornell Law Review’s 2024 Symposium: Mass Torts Inferno: New Battle Lines in the Resolution Debate, Ithaca, NY, September 20, 2024

Teaching 

Guest Lecturer, “Corporate Restructuring,” The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Fall 2017–2019

Guest Lecturer, “Realizing Value in Corporate Restructurings: Distressed Investing, Distressed Lending, and Private Equity.” Wake Forest University School of Law, Spring 2012

Assistant Professor, Distressed Investing, Lending and Private Equity, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Fall 2008–2012

Publications

“Can Bankruptcy Courts Consider Public Interests in Section 363 Sales? An Argument for Stakeholders,” Uniform Commercial Code Law Journal, December 2021 (co-authored with M. Waldrep)

“Things Remembered: Purposeful Action in Distress,” Journal of Corporate Renewal, November/December 2019 Issue (co-authored by S. Winters and D. Hunter)

"EXCO Bankruptcy Illustrates Power of Chapter 11 Restructuring," New York Law Journal, November 6, 2019 (co-authored with A. Schwarzman, P. Nash and A. Bordi)

“Something to Remember: The Flexibility of Chapter 11 in Retail Situations,” New York Law Journal, June 7, 2019 (co-authored with S. Winters and D. Hunter)

Contributing Editor, Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law & Practice

“Hitting a Moving Target: Why Brick and Mortar Retail is Alive and Well,” New York Law Journal, September 15, 2017 (co-authored with J. Sussberg and P. Venter)

“Essar Steel Algoma: Restructuring Under the Canada Business Corporations Act and Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code,” INSOL International News Update, January 2015 (co-authored with P. Basta, P. Evans and C. Nguyen)

“Recent Lessons on Management Compensation at Various States of the Chapter 11,” Harvard Law School Bankruptcy Roundtable, April 22, 2014 (co-authored with J. Sprayregen and N. Donnelly)

Recent lessons on management compensation at various stages of the Chapter 11 process,” Financier Worldwide Magazine, March 2013 (co-authored with J. Sprayregen and N. Donnelly)

Debt is the New Equity: How Private Equity Funds Will Sponsor Buyouts Through Chapter 11," Bankruptcy Structure Insights, Summer 2009 (co-authored with J. Henes and K. Radke)

Recognition

“Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer,” Turnarounds & Workouts, 2023

Bankruptcy/Restructuring (New York), Chambers USA

Bankruptcy Editorial Advisory Board, Law360, 2021

The American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), “Forty Under Forty–Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice,” 2019

“Risings Star” for Bankruptcy, Law360, 2019

“Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer,” Turnarounds & Workouts, 2018

Recipient, Kirkland & Ellis Pro Bono Service Award 2012, 2013, 2015

Memberships & Affiliations

(current & former)

Member, Wake Forest University School of Law Board of Visitors

Member, American Bankruptcy Institute

Member, New York City Bar Association Committee on Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization

Member, Gala Committee 2016 Gala Dinner for CaringKind

Member, Spring Event Committee of the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund

Member, Young Professionals Board of Youth, I.N.C.

Member, Annual Dinner Committee, Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation

Member, Knights of Columbus

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • New York
  • New Jersey

Courts

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York (pro hac vice)
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (pro hac vice)
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of the Virgin Islands (pro hac vice)
  • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois (pro hac vice)

Education

  • Wake Forest University School of LawJ.D.cum laude2007

    Order of the Coif; Top 10% of Class

    Executive Editor, Wake Forest Law Review

    Member, Wake Forest Moot Court Board

  • Villanova UniversityB.S., Finance & International Business; Spanish Minorcum laude2004