Reviving Giants

About Reviving Giants

What does it take to rescue a company from the brink of collapse? In Reviving Giants, veteran turnaround expert Drew Mcmanigle takes you behind the closed doors of boardrooms and courtrooms to find out.

Publisher

Reviving Giants

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Nov 2025

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Inside Canada's Biggest Bankruptcies with Restructuring Lawyer Robert Thornton

   In this episode of Reviving Giants, host Drew McManigle sits down with Robert “Bob” Thornton, founding partner of Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP (TGP) and one of Canada's most respected restructuring lawyers. Bob reflects on his unexpected path into insolvency law, the thinking behind building his firm, and some of the landmark cases that shaped his career and Canadian restructuring law. He also explains how Canada's approach to restructuring differs from the U.S. system and shares his perspective on where the profession is headed in an era of rapid disruption and AI. Throughout the conversation, Bob makes the case that creativity, sound judgment, and a steady hand under pressure matter as much as legal expertise. He also provides a thoughtful look at how restructuring is about leadership in times of crisis, as well as saving companies. 🎧 Episode Highlights [12:18] Chapter 11 vs. CCAA: Rules versus judicial power [15:01] Post-Purdue: Why Canada is a restructuring destination [21:45] The Tobacco Case: Canada's most complex restructuring ever [23:50] The fee debate and the TGF guarantee [39:50] Restructuring's Future: Disruption, AI, and real-time litigation 🔑 Key Takeaways: •Many clients don't know what their true problem is, so good restructuring starts with diagnosis. In the Coopers & Lybrand case, the realization that they'd lost 200 straight motions made the solution obvious: move the case to a different forum. •Canadian judges can make "any order they think appropriate," which gives the CCAA a flexibility that Chapter 11 lacks. This allows solutions unavailable in the U.S., including third-party releases that were ruled out after Purdue. •Creativity is one of the most valuable skills in restructuring, especially when there's no playbook to follow. The best outcomes often come from counsel willing to set new precedents rather than simply follow existing ones. •When professional fees approach a company's actual value, the restructuring process itself starts to break down. Fee models built around delivering value, like TGF's guarantee, offer a practical alternative. •Thornton expects technological change and AI to create more distress and compress timelines. That will make restructuring professionals, who are already trained to solve complex problems in real time, more essential than ever. 🎙️ About the Guest Robert Thornton, Founding Partner, Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP Robert "Bob" Thornton is a founding partner of TGF, a Toronto firm specializing in commercial litigation, insolvency, and restructuring. He is widely recognized as a leading figure in Canadian insolvency law and regularly leads the firm's most complex and high-stakes mandates. Chambers Canada highlights his work on major restructurings on behalf of corporations, monitors, and creditors. His recognitions include being named Insolvency Litigator of the Year at the 2025 Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards and a Global Elite Thought Leader in Restructuring & Insolvency by Who's Who Legal in 2021. He has also served as President of the Insolvency Institute of Canada. Stay Connected: •MACCO.group •www.tgf.ca Produced by Speakerbox Media

2. 

   3 Sept 2026

   Crisis Communications 101: The Real Cost of Staying Silent

   Reviving Giants kicks off Season 2 with Ben Rosner, senior advisor at MACCO and founder of Anabasis Partners. This conversation on crisis communications delves into why the decisions companies make in the first hours of a crisis can shape their fate for years. Drew McManigle and Ben trace Ben's unique path from diplomacy to the Israeli military to corporate crisis advising, and what that journey taught him about communicating under pressure. The conversation moves from the anatomy of an effective crisis "war room," to why silence is read as an admission of guilt in the social media era, to real cases — a distressed Midwest hospital, the Activision Blizzard fallout — that show what's at stake when companies get the narrative wrong. 🎧 Episode Highlights ● [00:01:00] Ben's background: growing up on a Kibbutz in Israel, not speaking English until age 8, and a childhood surrounded by diplomats. ● [00:02:45] The blocked-number phone call that led to Ben joining the IDF Spokesperson's Unit — and eventually advising the Chief of the General Staff. ● [00:05:26] The biggest mistake companies make in a crisis: there's no real infrastructure in place to make fast, coordinated decisions. ● [00:06:14] Anatomy of an effective "war room" — roughly six people, including the CEO, COO or chief of staff, internal and external legal counsel, and dedicated crisis communications counsel. ● [00:08:47] The WARN notice: why every stakeholder needs a message built for them specifically. ● [00:11:00] Why the traditional news cycle no longer exists, and the Reuters Institute stat that 54% of Americans now get their news from social media. ● [00:13:00] The rise of anonymous finance meme accounts like Litquidity, and how they've flipped the power dynamic between traditional and social media. ● [00:16:00] A leadership story: preparing General Herzi Halevi to brief 20 European ambassadors, and the moment that reframed how Ben saw communication at the highest levels. ● [00:20:00] Why silence is increasingly read by the public as an admission of guilt — and the legal reasoning that sometimes drives companies to go quiet anyway. ● [00:26:00] The Activision Blizzard cautionary tale: winning every legal battle, losing $8 billion in value and the company's independence. 🔑 Key Takeaways ● Silence creates a vacuum, and someone else — employees, competitors, or the press — will fill it with their own narrative. In a crisis, not communicating can be a costly strategy. ● Winning in court doesn't guarantee survival. Companies can win every legal battle and still lose their reputation, their workforce, and ultimately their independence — the Activision Blizzard example shows how fast that can happen. ● Crisis response needs dedicated infrastructure before crisis hits. A small, standing "war room" of business decision-makers, internal and external legal counsel, and experienced crisis communications counsel. 🎙️ About the Guest Ben Rosner, Senior Advisor, MACCO / Founder, Anabasis Partners Ben Rosner advises CEOs and boards on communication as it relates to crises, restructuring, and litigation. His background spans corporate, military, and diplomatic communications. He studied at Columbia University, represented Israel at the UN Security Council, and served as a policy advisor and speechwriter in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs before moving into corporate communications at FGS Global, one of the top crisis and financial communications firms in the world. He later joined the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, eventually advising senior generals across the Navy, Intelligence, and Air Force, including the Chief of the General Staff. Today, through Anabasis Partners and as a senior advisor at MACCO, he helps companies navigate high-stakes moments where reputation and enterprise value are on the line. Stay Connected ● MACCO.group ● anabasispartners.com Produced by Speakerbox Media.

3. 

   7 May 2026

   Why Liability Maneuvers Fail: Judge Kaplan on Spirit Airlines, Rite Aid, and Overleveraged Giants

   In this episode, we sit down with Hon. Michael B. Kaplan of the District of New Jersey to go inside the rarely seen world of bankruptcy from the judge’s chair. Drawing on years of overseeing high-profile Chapter 11s and small consumer cases, Judge Kaplan talks through what actually happens in those “first day” hearings, why so many liability management deals and quick restructurings fall short, and how often operational problems get ignored in favor of balance-sheet fixes. The conversation explores the human side of the work: what it’s like to carry the weight of decisions that affect jobs, communities, and families, and the tension between what feels fair and what the Bankruptcy Code demands. Judge Kaplan also reflects on how the practice has evolved with private equity, private credit, rising fees, and faster timelines, and what those shifts mean for the future of Chapter 11. 🎧 Episode Highlights [03:02]: The high stakes of decisions that reshape lives and companies [05:08]: “How can I help?:” as his courtroom philosophy [08:55]: Why liability management deals often fail struggling companies [13:40]: The human toll of foreclosures, evictions, and underwater homes [17:33]: How Chapter 11 shifted from reorganization to runway extension 🔑 Key Takeaways: ● Bankruptcy, in Judge Kaplan’s view, is fundamentally a problem‑solving arena rather than a ritual of failure. He emphasizes that judges sit at the crossroads of law, business, and human impact, making rapid decisions that can determine whether companies survive, liquidate, or quietly wind down. The stakes are measured not only in dollars, but in jobs, homes, and entire communities that live with the consequences of each ruling. ● Many high-profile restructurings fail because they treat Chapter 11 as a way to “extend the runway” instead of fixing the underlying business. Judge Kaplan sees too many liability management exercises and quick, milestone-driven cases that focus on capital structures and buzzword excuses—COVID, interest rates, tariffs—while ignoring core operational issues like broken business models, footprints, labor costs, and management failures. Without confronting those realities, he argues, even the most sophisticated financial engineering simply delays an inevitable collapse. ● Great outcomes in bankruptcy depend on the quality and mindset of the professionals in the room. Judge Kaplan looks for counsel, CROs, and advisors who truly understand the business, manage client expectations, listen to the court’s questions, and can translate complex financial and operational stories into clear evidence. Reputation, preparation, and candor matter: the best practitioners help the judge make informed decisions, while recognizing that the law, not personal preference, ultimately constrains what “fair” can look like in any given case. 👤 Guest Spotlight: Hon. Michael B. Kaplan Hon. Michael B. Kaplan is a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of New Jersey and a former chief judge of the court, with decades of experience deciding some of the nation’s most complex restructurings and liquidations. Before taking the bench, he served as a practitioner and Chapter 7 and 13 trustee, giving him a ground-level view of both business reorganizations and consumer financial distress. Known for his practical, problem‑solving approach, Judge Kaplan has presided over high-profile Chapter 11 cases while remaining deeply attuned to the human impact of foreclosures, evictions, and failed turnarounds on ordinary people. Stay Connected: ● ⁠https://www.macco.group⁠ ● ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmcmanigle⁠ ● ⁠https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/content/honorable-michael-b-kaplan⁠ Produced by Speakerbox Media.

4. 

   2 Apr 2026

   Corporate Crisis Playbook: The Turnaround Strategy Becky Roof Uses to Save Businesses

   Drew sits down with turnaround veteran Becky Roof to explore the high-stakes world of corporate restructuring and the accidental career paths that lead people into it. Becky shares stories from decades of crisis leadership, including stepping in as interim CFO during Kodak’s bankruptcy and navigating complex negotiations with creditors, pensions, and global stakeholders to preserve value and jobs. The conversation dives into what it really takes to lead when companies run out of liquidity, employees fear for their futures, and the path forward isn’t clear. Becky also looks back on mentorship, the evolution of the restructuring industry, and what it meant to build a career as a woman in a historically male-dominated field. 🎧 Episode Highlights: [06:28]: The bankruptcy that pulled Becky into restructuring [07:17]: The mentors who shaped Becky’s career [29:44]: Becoming Kodak’s interim CFO during bankruptcy [38:57]: The case that almost got Becky arrested in Italy [45:00]: Becky’s advice for the next Generation of turnaround leaders 🔑 Key Takeaways: ● While restructuring often focuses on capital structures and liquidity, Becky emphasizes the human side of crisis leadership. Communicating honestly with employees, acknowledging uncertainty, and preserving as many jobs as possible are central to responsible turnaround work. For Becky, the day telling someone their job is eliminated stops hurting is the day it’s time to leave the profession. ● Successful restructurings require creativity under extreme pressure. Cases like Kodak showed how turnaround leaders must constantly search for unconventional solutions when time and liquidity are running out. By identifying hidden pockets of value and negotiating complex compromises, such as separating business units and resolving pension claims, teams can create paths to survival that initially seem impossible. ● Effective turnarounds require a disciplined crisis playbook. Becky emphasizes starting with a clear understanding of the business, maintaining constant communication with stakeholders, and aligning management, creditors, and advisors around a realistic strategy. Transparency, liquidity management, and prioritizing what is urgent versus what is truly important are critical steps in stabilizing a company and creating a path toward recovery. 👤 Guest Spotlight: Becky Roof Becky Roof is a former Partner and Managing Director at AlixPartners and one of the most respected turnaround and restructuring leaders in the industry. With decades of experience as an advisor and interim CFO in complex, high-stakes situations, she has helped companies navigate bankruptcies, strategic restructurings, and financial transformations across global markets. Becky also played a key role in building AlixPartners’ Houston office and is known for her ability to step into crisis situations, earn trust quickly, and guide leadership teams through pivotal decisions. Stay Connected: ⁠https://www.macco.group/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmcmanigle/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-roof/⁠ Produced by Speakerbox Media.

5. 

   5 Mar 2026

   When the Banks Failed: Lessons from the 1980s Texas Oil Bust Part 2

   In part two of this episode, Drew, Berry, and Charlie look back on the cases that shaped modern restructuring: from the chaotic El Paso refinery bankruptcy to the high-stakes battles inside Enron. They share firsthand stories of IRS shutdowns, courtroom showdowns, copper price crashes, and creditor warfare that redefined how Chapter 11 works in practice. The episode explores how bankruptcy evolved from a scrappy, Wild West profession into a complex, high-dollar industry driven by sophisticated capital structures and venue strategy. Along the way, they debate lender-on-lender violence, mass tort bankruptcies, and whether the system still rewards creativity or just balance sheet engineering. It’s a candid look at how the biggest collapses built today’s restructuring playbook. 🎧 Episode Highlights ● [03:52]: A Risk That Recovered $30M ● [05:24]: The Refinery Case That Shook Texas ● [08:30]: When the Court Demanded Proof ● [14:29]: Patience, Copper, and a Comeback ● [33:01]: Enron and the New Era of Restructuring 🔑 Key Takeaways: ● The El Paso refinery collapse showed how an unprepared Chapter 11 filing can accelerate failure instead of prevent it. When IRS liens triggered a reactive bankruptcy without evidence, financing, or a clear strategy, the court’s refusal to bend the rules led to an immediate shutdown and hundreds of lost jobs. In restructuring, process, preparation, and proof matter as much as urgency. ● The four-year Asarco bankruptcy demonstrated that restructuring is often a long game shaped by external forces like commodity cycles. Rising and falling copper prices completely changed creditor leverage, settlement dynamics, and ultimate ownership. Sometimes survival depends less on legal maneuvering and more on understanding markets and waiting for the right moment to act. ● From Enron’s creditor committee infighting to today’s lender-on-lender battles and complex capital structures, bankruptcy has evolved into a high-stakes arena dominated by sophisticated players. Yet beneath the balance sheet engineering, the core tension remains: is the goal to truly fix the business, or simply to rearrange financial claims? The answer continues to shape the future of the restructuring profession. 👤 Guest Spotlight: Berry Spears Berry D. Spears is a partner at Keller Benvenutti Kim LLP with a nationally recognized bankruptcy and restructuring practice rooted in decades of hands-on experience. Over the course of his career, he has represented virtually every stakeholder in a financial crisis from debtors and creditors to boards, lenders, and committees, bringing pragmatic, creative solutions to complex restructurings across industries including energy, healthcare, financial services, and real estate. Charles Beckham Charles Beckham is a partner at Haynes Boone and a nationally respected restructuring and bankruptcy lawyer with deep roots in complex financial crises. He built his career during the West Texas oil collapse of the 1980s, representing banks, the FDIC, and other stakeholders through some of the region’s most consequential failures. Stay Connected: ● https://www.macco.group/ ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmcmanigle/ ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/berryspears/ ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-beckham-753b1a32/

6. 

   25 Feb 2026

   When the Banks Failed: Lessons from the 1980s Texas Oil Bust Part 1

   This episode looks back at the historic Texas oil crash of the early 1980s, bringing with it a full-scale financial collapse that reshaped careers, communities, and an entire industry. In the midst of it all were Berry Spears, Charlie Beckham, and host Drew McManigle who were just starting out as young lawyers and operators in West Texas. Over four decades later, they recount firsthand stories of failing banks, collapsing rig counts, FDIC interventions, and the monumental changes that followed in bankruptcy and restructuring law. This conversation sets the stage for how survival, trust, and hard lessons in the 80s shaped the modern restructuring world. 🎧 Episode Highlights ●[00:54]: Berry Spears’ and Charles Beckham’s early careers in 1980s West Texas ●[07:40]: Life inside the oil service business as the downturn begins ●[12:48]: Failure of major West Texas banks and the role of the FDIC ●[17:16]: Public reaction to bank closures and the run on deposits ●[29:26]: How the crisis shaped bankruptcy and restructuring careers 🔑 Key Takeaways: ●The Texas oil crash of the early 1980s was not an isolated energy downturn but a systemic financial crisis that collapsed banks, wiped out businesses, and destabilized entire communities across West Texas. The failure of major institutions like the National Bank of Odessa and First National Bank of Midland, followed by widespread FDIC intervention, exposed how aggressive lending and unrealistic assumptions about oil prices amplified the fallout. ●The crisis became an unintended training ground for a new generation of professionals. With little precedent under the newly revised bankruptcy code, young lawyers and operators like Berry Spears and Charles Beckham were forced to learn restructuring, workouts, and creditor negotiations in real time, shaping the foundations of modern bankruptcy and restructuring practice. ●The experience permanently reshaped how participants approached risk, trust, and decision-making. Scarcity of capital, public bank runs, and survival-driven compromises instilled a practical, relationship-based mindset that continues to influence how they navigate complex restructurings and business challenges decades later. 👤 Guest Spotlight: Berry Spears Berry D. Spears is a partner at Keller Benvenutti Kim LLP with a nationally recognized bankruptcy and restructuring practice rooted in decades of hands-on experience. Over the course of his career, he has represented virtually every stakeholder in a financial crisis from debtors and creditors to boards, lenders, and committees, bringing pragmatic, creative solutions to complex restructurings across industries including energy, healthcare, financial services, and real estate. Charles Beckham Charles Beckham is a partner at Haynes Boone and a nationally respected restructuring and bankruptcy lawyer with deep roots in complex financial crises. He built his career during the West Texas oil collapse of the 1980s, representing banks, the FDIC, and other stakeholders through some of the region’s most consequential failures. Stay Connected: ●https://www.macco.group/ ●https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmcmanigle/ ●https://www.linkedin.com/in/berryspears/ ●https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-beckham-753b1a32/

7. 

   8 Jan 2026

   Rock N Roll Judge: Former Chief Judge of Southern TX Talks Law’s Spirit, Evolution & Future

   They call him the Rock and Roll Judge; a man who could go from a courtroom to a concert stage without missing a beat. He's run marathons, played tuba, directed Broadway musicals, and reshaped how bankruptcy law is practiced in America— but Judge Richard Schmidt is known above all else for his deep respect for people and having a courtroom that ran like a symphony. In today’s episode, the retired Chief Judge of the Southern District of Texas discusses the evolution of Chapter 11, the human side of financial collapse, and the “rock and roll” spirit behind the bench. Key Insights & Timestamps: [00:00] Podcast begins [02:18] Broadway & the Bench: Serving as a judge while engaging in the community arts [06:00] Commander to Chief: Using air force leadership experience in the courtroom [17:12] Big Cost to Go Broke: Evolution of bankruptcy law into a high-cost game [28:06] Lessons Learned: Cases that tackled law & language barriers for Judge Schmidt [33:37] Advice for Law’s Next Generation: Managing the high stakes of bankruptcy law today Guest Spotlight: Judge Richard Schmidt Judge Richard Schmidt is a retired federal judge in Corpus Christi, TX, with 28 years of exemplary service on the Southern District of Texas bench. As a bankruptcy fiduciary, consultant, mediator, and arbitrator, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to assist bankruptcy cases across the United States. Key Takeaways: From the Big Stage to the Court Room: When Judge Schmidt became the first bankruptcy judge in Corpus Christi, he was new to the community and sought many ways to get involved outside of the court room, including tapping into his past experience in musicals and symphonies. I think the public is entitled to know their judge,” Schmidt says of his time in Christi, “To the extent that you can be involved in things that are not judging, then you get to know the community.” Complex Cases & Chapter 11: The first complex case filed in Judge Schmidt’s courtroom was Greyhound, and he learned quickly about the importance of multiple hearings, lawyers on call, and fast decision making. There are a lot of decisions that have to be made right in a hurry, and they need a judge that can handle a complex case,” Schmidt explains when discussing the Greyhound case. “Not all judges are meant for complex cases, so I started developing a system.” Navigating High Stakes Cases: Advice for today’s lawyers and judges hits home for Judge Schmidt, whose daughter currently practices bankruptcy law and has sought his wisdom in the past with high profile cases. “For most judges, the rules are very important,” Schmidt says of practicing bankruptcy law. “I think you need to know the judge, his staff or her staff, and the clerk of the court.” Resources Mentioned: Judgerss.com Connect with Judge Richard Schmidt: Judgerss.com/contact/ Produced by Speakerbox Media.

8. 

   4 Dec 2025

   No Guts, No Glory: Doug Brickley on the High-Stakes World of Turnarounds

   Restructuring a company is not a 9-to-5 job, it's more like working in an emergency room. What does it really look like when the phone rings at 5pm on a Friday night? 20-year advisory firm veteran Douglas Brickley, the current Managing Director at Stout, has been in the trenches. In today’s episode, Doug isn’t afraid to talk shop about what he’s learned, where things can go wrong, and why restructuring might be headed in a new direction. Key Insights & Timestamps: [00:00] Podcast begins [01:15] What Is a Restructuring Professional? Diverse skillsets & dynamic understanding [08:41] How Do You Manage a Crisis? The 24/7 job of a restructuring position [19:35] What About Private Equity? Liquidation costs & a lack of fixing businesses [31:50] Why Do These Companies Get In Trouble? Outsider perspectives on the industry [39:55] Who Stands Out? Personal experiences, lessons learned & victories made Guest Spotlight: Douglas Brickley Douglas Brickley is the Managing Director at Stout, a global advisory firm specializing in corporate finance. He held previous similar roles at The Claro Group, Jefferies, KPMG, and LECG. Key Takeaways: Finance or Operations? When it comes to background, Doug believes that a strong restructuring professional doesn’t have to have one type of background. “I think there's not one right background and one right path,” Doug explains. “I think that you need to supplement your core competencies with other areas. I need to make sure with my finance background, I have people on my team that are good at operations.” 9-to-5 or 24/7? Restructuring professionals are no stranger to a 5pm panicked phone call or a weekend crisis.” I think technology has been a little liberating in dealing with those crisis calls,” Doug acknowledges. “But it is usually a scramble. It’s almost impossible to have absolute boundaries in our business.” Management or Business Model? Outsiders to the industry always want to know how companies get to such a dire state of financial restructuring, but there’s never just one answer. “Overly aggressive lenders and private equity firms that want to leverage a business up doesn't help,” Doug clarifies. “If you are over-leveraged and there's any kind of hiccup in the business or the market, that’s very difficult to recover from.” Resources Mentioned: Stout | stout.com Connect with Douglas Brickley: LinkedIn For More Information: Produced by Speakerbox Media. [Insert Additional Links] Call to Action: If you want the unfiltered truth behind corporate collapse — and the lessons hidden in the fine print of Chapter 11 — hit follow on Reviving Giants. Share this episode with a colleague in finance, law, or operations, and join the conversation on where bankruptcy law is headed next.

9. 

   6 Nov 2025

   Reviving Giants Trailer

   What does it take to rescue a company from the brink of collapse? Hosted by veteran turnaround expert Drew McManigle, Reviving Giants takes listeners behind closed doors of boardrooms, courtrooms, and crisis meetings where business survival hangs in the balance. Each episode dives into real stories of billion-dollar bankruptcies, high-stakes turnarounds, and the leaders who fought to pull companies back from the edge. With over three decades of experience guiding distressed businesses through complex recoveries, Drew brings an insider’s perspective to the strategy, pressure, and human decisions that define the art of the comeback. From oil and gas to retail, tech, and healthcare, Reviving Giants explores what happens when the numbers stop working—and what it takes to bring them back to life. No company is too big to fall—but some are built to rise again. A podcast from MACCO Restructuring Group.

10. 

    6 Nov 2025

    The Cost of Going Broke: John Melko on the Billion-Dollar Business of Bankruptcy

    The year was 1978. A new bankruptcy code hit the books, and suddenly, the playbook for American business failure was rewritten. 47 years later, we're still living in its shadow. John Melko is a seasoned restructuring attorney and partner of Foley & Lardner and has watched bankruptcy courts evolve from its reformist roots to the high stakes, high cost beast it is today. In this episode, John helps us unpack the rise of Chapter 11, the potential fall, the industries it has failed, and the billion dollar burn rate it now takes just to go broke. This isn't theory; it's the hard truth behind corporate collapse. Key Insights & Timestamps: [00:00] Podcast begins [01:53] Where Did We Start? John’s history with the Bankruptcy Reform Act [11:25] What Will Chapter 11 Do For Me? The expensive process of bankruptcy litigation [23:36] Do You Know What You’re in For? Experienced vs inexperienced bankruptcy clients [34:13] What About Venue? Why lawyers & corporations play the location game [46:11] How Expensive to File? Billing rates & the billion dollar reputation of business cases [01:05:48] Are There Going to be More Bankruptcies? The next cycle of failures to come Guest Spotlight: John Melko John Melko is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP. His practice focuses on complex sales, acquisitions, bankruptcies, and financings in the energy sector throughout the United States, as well as shipping-related issues in both foreign and domestic cases and financings. John has years of cross-border and multinational experience with oil and gas exploration and production, refining and marketing, airlines, telecommunications, electric utilities, manufacturing, retail, rig and ship finance, mass torts, and asset-backed securities. Throughout his career, John has helped guide clients through dislocations in the energy, shipping, telecommunication, real estate and health care markets, utilizing chapter 7, chapter 11, and chapter 15 procedures. John also serves as co-chair of the firm's Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice and vice-chair of the firm’s Oil & Gas Industry Team. Key Takeaways: Billion Dollar Broke: John doesn’t shy away from the expensive reality of Chapter 11: it's going to cost your company a lot of money. “You have to think of a chapter 11 filing like a lawsuit,” John says. “The thrust here is going to be to get your company in, reorganize it quickly, and get it out.” Running the Math on Rates: For a Chapter 11 case, John has had to turn clients away because the cost of training, overhead, and associates for a bankruptcy case can be so high. “The cost of the hourly rate and the number of lawyers that are put on has gotten very high,” John explains. “In the real big cases, you're gonna need a lot of different disciplines. I've been in depositions where there have been eight lawyers from the same firm.” Crystal Ball of Bankruptcy’s Future: When the future comes knocking, John believes that more failures are on the horizon. “There are industries that are import dependent that will be hit hard,” John hypothesizes. “They will have tariff issues, interest rate issues, consumer issues.” Resources Mentioned:Foley & Lardner LLP | foley.com Connect with John Melko: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-melko-82b1899a/ For More Information: Produced by Speakerbox Media. For more, visit https://www.macco.group/news Call to Action: If you want the unfiltered truth behind corporate collapse — and the lessons hidden in the fine print of Chapter 11 — hit follow on Reviving Giants. Share this episode with a colleague in finance, law, or operations, and join the conversation on where bankruptcy law is headed next.

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