Gianfranco Finizio

FRANCO is a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, where he advises and represents a diverse range of clients, including official committees of unsecured creditors, indenture trustees, debtors, bank agents, and major secured and unsecured creditors in complex chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings and other distressed situations. One of his most significant accomplishments has been leading the Gold’s Gym creditors’ committee, which yielded a $100 million sale at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and, subject to the claims reconciliation process, is projected to pay unsecured creditors in full. Similarly, his efforts on behalf of the creditors’ committee of Trident USA, which he co-led, resulted in a reorganized company, the preservation of jobs and cash distributions to unsecured creditors. As a result, the Trident case professionals were awarded TMA’s Large Company Turnaround Award for 2020. He also has successfully represented indenture trustees in several high-profile chapter 11 cases, including Washington Prime Group and Toys “R” Us.

Franco has been listed in the 2021 and 2022 editions of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Up & Coming) and recognized as a New York “Rising Star” for the past eight years for Business Bankruptcy in Super Lawyers. In his spare time, he writes articles for industry publications, participates on panels for CLE courses and popular industry conferences, discusses emerging issues on bankruptcy-specific podcasts, and is assisting with a renewed effort to update ABI’s Preference Handbook.

Franco is a member of ABI. His pro bono activities include working with KIND (Kids in Need of Defense), a nonprofit that offers legal counsel to unaccompanied refugees and immigrant children; through the organization, he provides legal services to children in need. He also mentors new Kilpatrick Townsend associates, including participating in coaching sessions and yearly reviews.