

Kris Hansen is the Chair of Stroock’s nationwide Financial Restructuring Group. He is a dealmaker and a consummate tactician renowned for his strong judgment, financial IQ and expansive market knowledge.
Throughout his career, Kris has guided clients through proceedings in bankruptcy and appellate courts across the country, as well as through many out-of-court situations.
Kris helps sophisticated investors in distressed credit formulate and execute complex strategies involving mergers and acquisitions, financing and litigation in and outside of actual bankruptcy. He represents official creditors’ committees in complex corporate chapter 11 cases, and corporate debtors in connection with formal bankruptcy proceedings and informal negotiations to restructure their debt obligations.
Kris is a frequent panelist and lecturer on restructuring topics before corporate, professional and CLE audiences. Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA and Chambers Global, IFLR1000, Law360 and The Legal 500 all have attested to his skills. Additionally, Kris has been recommended by Benchmark Litigation.
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Representative Matters
Some of Kris’ notable creditor representations include the following:
- AMF Bowling Worldwide, Inc. (ad hoc committee of first lien term lenders)
- Aquilex Holdings (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Avaya, Inc. (ad hoc group of first and second lien creditors)
- Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company I and II (ad hoc committee of convertible noteholders)
- Brookstone, Inc. (ad hoc committee of second lien noteholders)
- Calpine Corporation (ad hoc committee of convertible noteholders)
- Caraustar Industries (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Caesars Entertainment Corporation (ad hoc group of first lien lenders)
- Dana Corporation (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Dayton Superior (official creditors’ committee)
- Diebold Nixdorf (debt finance provider)
- Fairpoint Communications (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Harry & David (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- IAC/InterActiveCorp (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Indiana Downs/Indiana Live! (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Intermet Corporation (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Interstate Bakeries (largest shareholder)
- K-V Pharmaceutical Company (official creditors’ committee)
- Lear Corporation (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- LightSquared Inc. (secured creditor)
- Lone Pine Resources (certain noteholders)
- Momentive Performance Materials Inc. (certain noteholders and backstop parties)
- Monitronics International, Inc. (ad hoc group of senior unsecured noteholders
- Morris Publishing Group (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- NationsRent, Inc. (ad hoc committee of secured lenders and plan sponsor)
- Neenah Foundry (DIP lender and ad hoc committee of secured noteholders)
- Neff Corp. (ad hoc committee of noteholders and purchaser)
- New Gulf Resources, LLC (ad hoc committee of noteholders and DIP lenders)
- Panavision Inc. (ad hoc committee of secured noteholders)
- Payless ShoeSource Inc. (Creditor and DIP lender)
- PCA International (official creditors’ committee)
- Pegasus Satellite Communications (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (DIP lender)
- Pliant Corporation (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Primus Telecommunications (ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- RathGibson, Inc. (DIP lender/ad hoc committee of noteholders and purchaser)
- School Specialty, Inc. (DIP lender, ad hoc committee of noteholders)
- Sears Holdings Corp. (second lien lender)
- SFX Entertainment, Inc. (DIP lender and ad hoc bondholder committee)
- Spanish Broadcasting System (company)
- Stations Casinos (member of official creditors’ committee)
- Texas Petrochemicals, Inc. (official creditors’ committee)
- Toys “R” Us, Inc. (FILO DIP lenders)
- Tropicana Entertainment (official creditors’ committee)
- Trump Entertainment Resorts (debtor)
In addition, Kris has acted as debtors’ counsel to: Ambassadors International, Inc., AMF Bowling, Flushing Hospital, Loehmann’s Inc., Recoton Corporation, Trism Trucking, Trump Entertainment Resorts and Union Hospital.
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Honors & Awards
- Chambers USA: Leading Lawyers for Business,“America’s leading restructuring attorneys”
- Best Lawyers, “various national rankings in the area of Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights”
- Super Lawyers, “various national rankings in the area of Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights”
- K&A Restructuring Register, “Outstanding Lawyers”
- Turnaround & Workouts, “Outstanding Lawyers”
- Law360, “Bankruptcy MVP”
- Benchmark Litigation, “Litigation Star”
- Turnaround Management Association, 2018 Turnaround of the Year: Mega Company
Kris was also recently inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy, a highly selective honorary and educational association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals.
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Speeches & Events
Kris is a frequent panelist and lecturer at American Bankruptcy Institute, Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute, Turnaround Management Association and other industry-sponsored events. Select engagements include:
- Moderator, “CDS Markets,” American Bankruptcy Institute New York City Bankruptcy Conference, New York City, May 22, 2019
- Moderator, “Practical Issues in Corporate Governance Before, During and Upon Emergence from Chapter 11,” American Bankruptcy Institute 19th Annual New York City Bankruptcy Conference, May 18, 2017
- Speaker, “The Intersection of Bankruptcy and Intellectual Property,” District of Delaware Second Annual Bench and Bar Conference, May 19, 2016
- Speaker, “Flashpoints for Intercreditor Disputes,” American Bankruptcy Institute 18th Annual New York City Bankruptcy Conference, May 12, 2016
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Admitted To Practice
New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
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Education
J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 1995
B.S., Fordham University, 1992; Finance
In The Spotlight
News
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September 26, 2019 | Press Release
13 Stroock Lawyers, 6 Practice Groups Listed in 2020’s IFLR1000
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September 13, 2019 | Press Release
67 Stroock Attorneys Recognized as 2019 ‘Super Lawyers,’ ‘Rising Stars’
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August 15, 2019 | Best Lawyers
47 Stroock Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers in America for 2020
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June 7, 2019
Stroock Receives Honors in 16 Practices from The Legal 500 United States 2019: 41 Stroock Lawyers Recognized
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April 25, 2019 | Chambers USA
Stroock Ranked in 9 Practice Areas by Chambers USA 2019; 25 Leading Lawyers Recognized
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March 18, 2019
Kristopher Hansen Named an American College of Bankruptcy Fellow
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December 14, 2018 | Press Release
Kristopher Hansen Named ‘Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer’ for 5th Time
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November 6, 2018
13 Stroock Attorneys and 5 Stroock Practice Groups Listed in 2019's IFLR1000
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October 10, 2018
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Stroock Lawyers and Litigation Department in its 2019 Guide
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September 5, 2018 | Turnaround Management Association
Kristopher Hansen Honored With TMA’s Turnaround and Transaction of the Year Award
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June 1, 2018
Stroock Receives Honors in 16 Practices from The Legal 500 United States 2018: 38 Stroock Lawyers Recognized
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May 3, 2018
Stroock Ranked in 11 Practice Areas by Chambers USA 2018; 29 Leading Lawyers Recognized
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February 22, 2018
Stroock Recognized by Chambers Global 2018
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February 15, 2018
Rising Star Daniel Fliman Joins Stroock’s Financial Restructuring Team
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October 24, 2017
Kristopher Hansen mentioned in "Bondholder coalition vows to challenge Seadrill restructuring (SDRL)"
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October 5, 2017
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Stroock Lawyers and Litigation Department in its 2018 Guide
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October 2, 2017
Kristopher Hansen mentioned in "Seadrill’s debt overhaul faces creditor scrutiny"
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August 15, 2017
47 Stroock Partners and Counsel Named to Best Lawyers in America for 2018
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June 2, 2017
Stroock Receives High Honors in 13 Practices from The Legal 500 United States 2017: 37 Stroock Attorneys Recognized
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June 1, 2017
Stroock Earns Top Tier Rank in 11 Practices by Chambers USA 2017: 30 Leading Attorneys Recognized
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December 15, 2016 | Law360
Kristopher M. Hansen mentioned and Kenneth Pasquale quoted in “Creditor Dispute Could Delay Caesars Reorganization”
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December 15, 2016 | Wall Street Journal
Kristopher M. Hansen and Kenneth Pasquale quoted in "Caesars Lenders Threaten to Yank Support for $18 Billion Restructuring"
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December 6, 2016 | Law360
Kristopher M. Hansen mentioned in "Caesars Judge Debates Trustee’s Stand-Alone Objection"
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November 7, 2016
Stroock Recommended Nationwide, in New York and California by Benchmark Litigation 2017 Guide
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September 20, 2016
Stroock Announces Selection of New Co-Managing Partner
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August 15, 2016
47 Stroock Partners and Counsel Named to Best Lawyers in America for 2017
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May 27, 2016
Stroock Ranked By Chambers USA For 2016
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March 17, 2016
Stroock Ranked by Chambers Global 2016
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November 20, 2015 | The New York Times
Stroock Featured in The New York Times "Best Lawyers" 2016 New York City Supplement
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October 19, 2015
Stroock Recommended Nationwide, in New York and California by Benchmark Litigation 2016 Guide
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August 17, 2015
45 Stroock Partners and Counsel Named to Best Lawyers in America for 2016
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May 19, 2015
Stroock Ranked By Chambers USA For 2015
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March 12, 2015
Stroock Recognized by Chambers Global 2015
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January 7, 2015 | Law360
Stroock mentioned in "Trump Resorts Unsecured Creditors Want More Icahn Docs"
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December 18, 2014
Turnarounds & Workouts Names Stroock Partner Kristopher Hansen as one of 2014's Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers
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December 11, 2014 | Law360
Kristopher M. Hansen profiled in Law360 Bankruptcy MVP
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November 21, 2014
Two Stroock Partners Named Law360 MVPs for 2014
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August 18, 2014
35 Stroock Partners and Counsel Named to Best Lawyers for 2015
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June 25, 2014
Stroock Attorneys and Practices Ranked by The Legal 500 United States 2014
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May 27, 2014
Stroock Ranked By Chambers USA For 2014
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March 13, 2014
Stroock Honored by Chambers Global 2014
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November 6, 2013
Stroock Partners and Counsel Named to Best Lawyers for 2014
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May 24, 2013
Stroock Ranked by Chambers USA Law Firm Rankings for 2013
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December 21, 2012
Turnarounds & Workouts Names Stroock Partner Kristopher Hansen as one of 2012's Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers
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November 9, 2012
31 Stroock Partners and Counsel Named to Best Lawyers for 2013
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June 7, 2012
Stroock Ranked by the Chambers USA Law Firm Rankings for 2012
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June 20, 2011
Stroock Ranked by the Chambers USA Law Firm Rankings for 2011
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June 11, 2010
Stroock Is Ranked by the Chambers USA Law Firm Rankings for 2010
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June 12, 2009
Stroock Is Recognized by the Annual Chambers USA Law Firm Rankings for 2009
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June 13, 2008
Majority Holders of 7% Senior Notes Issued by IAC/InterActiveCorp Reject Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation
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May 29, 2008
Stroock is Recognized by the Annual Chambers USA Law Firm Rankings
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April 3, 2008
Capital Markets Crisis Group Expansion
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December 17, 2007
Turnarounds & Workouts Selects Stroock Partner Kris Hansen as an Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer for 2007.
Publications
Back To Full Bio-
June 2014
“Aurelius Decision: Creditors of an Insolvent Texas Company Can’t Sue Directors Until After It’s Too Late”
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April 3, 2014
"Bankruptcy Issues The Defense Industry Should Think About"
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December 9, 2013
"‘Allied’ May Expand Circumstances for Reopening a Bankruptcy Auction"
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September 9, 2013
"Stroock Prevails in Subordination Dispute Over Post-Petition Interest"
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April 2013
“Post-Petition Lock-Up Agreements and Designation Standards Clarified”
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May 29, 2012
"Supreme Court Affirms Secured Creditors’ Right to Credit Bid in a Plan Sale"
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December 7, 2011
"Amended Bankruptcy Rule 2019 Goes into Effect"
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October 2011
"ABN Amro Bank NV v. MBIA Inc. — New York Court of Appeals Allows Policy Holders’ Fraudulent Conveyance and Common Law Claims Against MBIA to Continue in State Court"
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July 5, 2011
"Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Secured Creditor’s Right to Credit Bid in a Plan Sale"
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June 30, 2011
ABN Amro Bank NV v. MBIA Inc. – NY Court of Appeals Allows Policy Holders’ Fraudulent Conveyance and Common Law Claims Against MBIA to Continue In State Court
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September 2, 2008, Vol. 2, No. 35
“‘Free and Clear’ Bankruptcy Sales Do Not Extinguish Claims of Patent Infringement”
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August 29, 2007
"Enron Ruling on Claim Transfers Reversed"
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March 16, 2007
"New York Bankruptcy Court Requires Full Public Disclosure of Trading Records of Ad Hoc Committee Acting in Chapter 11 Case; Refuses to Permit Filing Under Seal"
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July 31, 2005
"The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005: A Summary of Key Provisions Affecting Business Bankruptcies"
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April 26, 2005
"The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005: A Summary of Key Provisions Affecting Business Bankruptcies"
Events
Back To Service-
May 22, 2019
ABI's New York City Bankruptcy Conference
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May 18, 2017
American Bankruptcy Institute's 19th Annual New York City Bankruptcy Conference
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May 14, 2015
American Bankruptcy Institute’s 17th Annual New York City Bankruptcy Conference
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March 27, 2014
The Defense Industry in a Time of Change
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April 18-21, 2013
American Bankruptcy Institute's 31st Annual Spring Meeting
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February 22, 2013
9th Annual Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference
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March 22-24, 2012
Thirty-Eighth Annual Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute
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May 16, 2011
Kellogg Turnaround Management Conference
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April 14-15, 2011
Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute Conference
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February 18, 2011
Wharton Restructuring and Turnaround Conference
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January 27-28, 2011
2011 TMA Distressed Investing Conference
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Urban Land Institute New York - Young Leaders Group: Bankruptcy 101 Seminar - An Overview of the Process and How to Navigate Through it
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Thursday, October 30, 2008
Bloomberg Finance Law Seminar - Finance Law in the Distressed Market
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Wednesday, March 5 - Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Distressed Debt Conference 2008 (Deal Flow Media Event)