Akerman today announced that Lucian (“Luke”) Murley has joined the firm as a partner in its Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice Group in Wilmington, Delaware. The addition deepens the firm’s national restructuring capabilities and reinforces its commitment to delivering sophisticated legal counsel in one of the country’s most consequential jurisdictions for complex Chapter 11 matters. Luke joins Akerman from Saul Ewing, where he represented companies and individuals in corporate restructurings and distressed acquisitions.
“Luke is one of the most respected bankruptcy practitioners in Delaware, and his arrival significantly enhances the depth of our practice group,” said Andrea Hartley, co-chair of Akerman’s Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice Group. “His experience handling Chapter 11 matters — combined with his deep relationships and standing in the Delaware bankruptcy court — makes him an invaluable addition for our clients and our team.”
Luke also counsels financially healthy businesses that find themselves creditors in Chapter 11 proceedings, helping them navigate risk, maximize recoveries, and protect ongoing commercial relationships. He has extensive experience representing official committees and fiduciaries in large, high-profile Chapter 11 cases and regularly advises middle-market and privately held companies in restructuring matters nationwide.
A recognized leader in the Delaware bankruptcy bar, Luke serves as a court-approved mediator for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and is a member of the court’s Local Rules Committee. He is an active member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and serves on the advisory boards of the Mid-Atlantic and Latin American Symposia. Luke has been ranked by Chambers USA in Delaware for Bankruptcy/Restructuring and is listed in Best Lawyers for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Bankruptcy Litigation.
“Bankruptcy has been central to our Wilmington growth strategy from the start,” said Andrew Dupre, managing partner of the Delaware office. “With Luke on board, we are well-positioned to deliver valuable insights to companies seeking to file and those navigating complex Chapter 11 cases filed here.”
Luke follows the recent arrival of Amanda Pooler in Charlotte, whose practice focuses on high-stakes corporate governance matters and M&A disputes venued in Delaware’s Court of Chancery, complementing the work of recently joined Wilmington Litigation Partner Tammy Mercer and further strengthening Akerman’s Delaware dispute capabilities.
Source: www.akerman.com
