Bradford J. Sandler

Bradford J. Sandler is a distinguished figure in bankruptcy law and complex reorganizations, celebrated for his extensive expertise and innovative approach to finding value-maximizing solutions to financially distressed situations. As a prominent member of PSZJ’s management and long-term planning committees and co-chair of its renowned creditors’ committee practice group, Brad has built a reputation as a leading authority in efficiently handling financially distressed situations in and out of court across the United States.

With over 25 years’ experience, Brad is a trusted advisor to a wide range of clients, including debtors, equity holders, creditors’ committees, acquirers, and fiduciaries such as directors, receivers, and trustees. His career is marked by a commitment to delivering exceptional results in some of the most challenging bankruptcy and restructuring situations.

Brad’s outstanding achievements have earned him widespread recognition within the legal community. Business Insider named him one of the top sixteen bankruptcy lawyers in the United States, and he consistently receives top rankings from leading legal rating organizations, including Chambers USA, Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers,” International Financial Law Review’s “IFLR1000” for Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell, which has bestowed upon him its “AV Preeminent Peer Rating”-the highest accolade for ethical standards and legal ability.

Chambers USA, which ranks Brad in its highest “band,” highlights his deep expertise in complex chapter 11 proceedings, noting the following:

“He’s exceptionally good at what he does and is unbelievably hard-working”

“He’s a superb bankruptcy lawyer.”

“Brad is a pleasure to work with, he’s practical, down-to-earth and a problem-solver.”

He’s a “creative, calm, effective lawyer” who is also “quick, smart, and aggressive.”

He’s able to “blend traditional legal skills with commercial negotiating and business acumen.”

Brad’s innovative and aggressive representations have been instrumental in maximizing recoveries for creditors and equity holders across diverse industries, including retail, food and hospitality, entertainment, energy, real estate, financial services, technology, and manufacturing. His recent high-profile committee representations include SunPower, Conn’s, Red Lobster, Bed Bath & Beyond, Party City, Cyxtera, David’s Bridal, Cineworld, Washington Prime Group, FedNat Holdings, Sungard, Ascena, J Crew, Ditech Holdings, Corsicana Bedding, Rockdale Marcellus, and the Woodbridge Group. Notably, he served as lead counsel in the LifeCare Hospital cases, achieving a substantial recovery for unsecured creditors and setting a new precedent in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals with a groundbreaking “class skipping” decision. Many of his cases have won awards from prestigious organizations, such as the Turnaround Management Association, M&A Advisors, and the Global M&A Network.

While Brad acknowledges that bankruptcy is an important tool for addressing financial difficulties, he advocates for it as a last resort. Many of his company-side representations have involved nonpublic distressed situations, during which he successfully worked to restructure the challenged capital structure, avoiding a formal insolvency proceeding.

In addition to serving his clients, Brad is actively involved in national organizations and frequently speaks on insolvency-related topics at conferences hosted by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference), the American Bankruptcy Institute, the International Bar Association, the Turnaround Management Association, the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors, the American Bar Association, the Credit Research Foundation, and the National Association of Credit Managers, among others. He is also a prolific author, contributing insightful articles on insolvency issues, serves on the editorial board of Bankruptcy Law360, and has been interviewed by numerous publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, NPR, the Legal Intelligencer, Law360, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Boston Globe, Business Insider, the Athletic (a New York Times company), the New York Post, and Women’s Wear Daily (WWD).

Brad’s practice actively reflects a results-oriented blend of legal expertise, commercial acumen, creative problem-solving, and a steadfast commitment to achieving value-maximizing outcomes for his clients, solidifying his status as a leader in insolvency and complex reorganizations.

Programs & Lectures

National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, American Bankruptcy Institute, Turnaround Management Association, Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference, International Bar Association, National Association of Credit Managers, Credit Research Foundation, Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors, Temple University School of Law (adjunct professor of law), Hildebrandt Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, New York State Bar Association, Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference, Philadelphia Bar Association (among others)

Publications

•The Purdue Pharma Ruling - Some Clear Rules, Some Grey Areas, and the Implications for Victims Creditor Rights Coalition, 2024
•Distressed Investor Considerations in E&P Oil and Gas Restructurings Thomson Reuters Practical Law, March 7, 2023
•Distressed Investor Considerations in E&P Oil and Gas Restructurings Practical Law, July 2020
•Navigating the Retail Apocalypse 262 New York Law Journal No. 59, September 23, 2019
•The Enforceability of a Make-Whole Provision in Bankruptcy: It Says What It Says Journal of Corporate RenewalMay 9, 2017
•Getting Paid to Play: Incentivizing Distressed Investors to Participate in a Sale Process 30 Journal of Corporate Renewal 16 (Jan/Feb 2017)
•2017 Likely to Bring Change-And Opportunities 30 Journal of Corporate Renewal 3 (Jan/Feb 2017)
•Not for the Unwary: Claims Trading Strategies, Risks Journal of Corporate Renewal, February 2015
•Third Circuit Holds Philadelphia Newspapers LLC’s Lenders Do Not Have a Right to Credit Bid Absolute Priority BlogMarch 23, 2010
•Alan Greenspan Acknowledges Government Failures and Proposes New Bankruptcy Scheme for Financial Institutions Absolute Priority BlogMarch 20, 2010
•Coauthor, “Suggested Amendments to US Bankruptcy Code,” Law360 (February 3, 2009)
•Coauthor,”‘Decoupling’ Issues in Bankruptcy,” Business Bankruptcy Newsletter (ABA Business Law Section January 2009)
•Author, “Corporate Guidance in M&A Transactions From Chancery Court,” 8 Delaware Law Weekly No. 36 (Sept. 14, 2005)
•Coauthor, “Statutory Employer Immunity Under Pennsylvania Law,” Pennsylvania Bar Quarterly (Winter 1998)
•Coauthor, Statutory Employer Immunity in Tort Cases Involving Work-Related Injuries, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association Pub. No. 148-1997 (1997)
•Coauthor, “Recent Significant Case Decisions Involving Design Professionals,” in program materials for 36th Annual Meeting of Invited Attorneys (Schinnerer & Co. 1997)
•Regular law columnist for the monthly national magazine, The Construction Specifier
•Author, “Alcan Revisited: Does the Denial of a De Minimis Defense Help Achieve a ‘Polluter’s Pay’ Policy?” 8 Temple Environmental Law & Technology Journal 141 (1994)

News

Bradford J. Sandler Quoted in Vogue Business, WWD, TheStreet, and Glossy on Saks Global’s Potential Bankruptcy

January 9, 2026

Bradford J. Sandler Named 'Legal Advisor of the Year' at 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards

November 21, 2025

Brad Sandler Named to 2026 American College of Bankruptcy Class

October 16, 2025

PSZJ Named Finalist in Eleven Categories for 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards

September 30, 2025

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones Named a 2025 “Delaware Regional Powerhouse” by Law360

Law360September 11, 2025

Eighteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to the Lawdragon '500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers' Guide for 2025

LawdragonJune 27, 2025

PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers USA Guide

Chambers USAJune 5, 2025

Bradford J. Sandler Quoted in Financial Times Article on Potential American Transit Insurance Company Insolvency

P&C Commercial SpecialistMay 29, 2025

Bradford J. Sandler Speaks to Restaurant Dive on TGI Fridays Bankruptcy Filing

Restaurant DiveNovember 4, 2024

Nine PSZJ Attorneys Named to 2024 New York Metro 'Super Lawyers' List; Three Recognized as 'Rising Stars'

October 24, 2024

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones Named a 2024 “Delaware Powerhouse” by Law360

Law360September 17, 2024

PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

August 15, 2024

PSZJ, Six Attorneys Recognized in IFLR1000

IFLR1000July 31, 2024

Brad Sandler Interviewed by Forbes About the Supreme Court’s Recent Purdue Pharma Decision

June 28, 2024

Eighteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers for 2024

LawdragonJune 14, 2024

PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers Guides Chambers Global, Chambers USA

June 4, 2024

Bradford J. Sandler Named to the New Chapter 11 Local Rules Committee by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey

January 1, 2024

PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers in America

August 17, 2023

Eighteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers for 2023

LawdragonJune 16, 2023

PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers Guides

Chambers Global, Chambers USAJune 1, 2023

PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America

August 18, 2022

Bradford J. Sandler Selected as Co-Chair of the 39th Annual Conference of the Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors (AIRA)

August 1, 2022

Insider Recognizes Richard Pachulski and Bradford Sandler as Top Bankruptcy Lawyers

InsiderAugust 5, 2022

PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers Guides

Chambers USA, Chambers GlobalJune 1, 2022

Fourteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to 2022 Lawdragon '500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers' Guide

LawdragonJanuary 14, 2022

Eight PSZJ Attorneys Named to New York Metro “Super Lawyers” and 'Rising Stars' Lists for 2021

September 1, 2021

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones Wins Prestigious 2021 TMA Turnaround/Transaction of the Year Award

September 1, 2021

Brad Sandler Speaks on Loss Prevention at CRF 2021 Virtual August Forum

Credit Research FoundationAugust 1, 2021

PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers in America

August 19, 2021

Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among Leading Law Firms

May 20, 2021

Judge Walrath Approves Weinstein Co. Plan of Liquidation, PSZJ Lawyers Rep Committee

January 1, 2021

PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers in America

August 20, 2020

Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among Leading Law Firms

April 23, 2020

Brad Sandler Speaks to The Hollywood Reporter on Entertainment Industry Bankruptcies

The Hollywood ReporterApril 9, 2020

PSZJ Attorneys Named in Best Lawyers in America

August 15, 2018

Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among Leading Law Firms

April 25, 2019

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones Receives 17th Annual M&A Advisor Award for Bon-Ton Restructuring

November 7, 2018

PSZJ Attorneys Named in Best Lawyers in America

August 15, 2019

Restructuring of the Year Award

May 1, 2018

Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among the Best Law Firms

May 7, 2018

Brad Sandler a Guest on ABI Podcast Spotlighting the Retail Industry

October 11, 2017

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones Wins TMA Turnaround Transaction of the Year Award for Work on Aeropostale

October 2, 2017

Thirty-Five PSZJ Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America

August 15, 2017

Recent Bankruptcy Court Rulings Significantly Impact Supply Chain Issues

PSZJ BulletinJuly 1, 2017

Brad Sandler Interviewed By Practical Law

May 5, 2017

Current Insolvency Issues for Finance and Credit Professionals

September 15, 2016

Nineteen PSZJ Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America

August 1, 2016

Brad Sandler Speaks to The Deal on Supermarket Industry

The DealApril 18, 2016

Brad Sandler Guest Editor of Journal of Corporate Renewal

February 1, 2016

Delaware Bankruptcy Court Indicates That Directors and Officers of an Insolvent Company May Be Liable for Breaches of Fiduciary Duty for Failing to Provide Timely WARN Act Notice

January 7, 2016

Seventeen PSZJ Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America

August 17, 2015

Authoritative Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among the Best

May 19, 2015

Thirteen PSZJ Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America

August 1, 2014

Three PSZJ Attorneys Named Delaware Super Lawyers

Philadelphia MagazineJune 1, 2014

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones: Five M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards

February 1, 2014

PSZJ Selected as Committee Counsel in LifeCare Holdings Chapter 11 Case

December 1, 2012

Watch Out Directors and Officers: Third Circuit Keeps 'Deepening Insolvency' Action Alive

November 30, 2011

Events

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group V (Insolvency Law)’s 66th Session

National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees New York, NY
May 12, 2025

The Impact of Purdue

AIRA Annual Advanced Restructuring and Plan of Reorganization Conference New York, NY
November 18, 2024

Dealing With Franchise Systems in Distress

IFA 2024 Legal Symposium Washington, DC
May 7, 2024

Working Together: Collaboration Between Secured Creditors and Unsecured Constituents

ABI Annual Spring Meeting Washington, DC
April 20, 2024

Bankruptcy Issues Before the U.S. Supreme Court & Other Circuit Court Splits

The Bar Association of the City of Richmond’s Bankruptcy Section Richmond, VA
January 23, 2024

Lights, Camera, Action! A Case Study of the International Restructuring of Cineworld Group

International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference Paris
November 2, 2023

Corporate Valuation: Before, During and Post Pandemic

ABI VALCON 2023 New Orleans
May 2, 2023

Serving on a Board of Directors

New York Institute of Credit Fall Program New York
October 27, 2022

The Role of Independent Directors Serving on the Board of Distressed Companies

AIRA 38th Annual Bankruptcy & Restructuring Conference Cleveland
June 8, 2022

Examining the Expanding Role of Independent Directors in Modern Chapter 11 Bankruptcies

48th Annual Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute Atlanta
March 24, 2022

Bearing the Burden of a Debtor’s Stint in Bankruptcy (aka Managing the Risks of an Administratively Insolvent Debtor)

48th Annual Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute Atlanta
March 23, 2022

Loss Prevention: Hot Topics for Senior Credit Managers

Credit Research Foundation
August 1, 2021

Retail Rodeo: Reflections on Yet Another Unprecedented Dynamic Year in Retail

Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference 2021: The COVID Credit Cycle - A New Paradigm Zoom
April 9, 2021

The Retail Apocalypse Continues: Now With Challenges From COVID-19

National Association of Credit Management Webinar
June 24, 2020

Hot Topics in Valuation & Creditworthiness Analyses

VALCON 2019: Cutting Edge Valuation Solutions Las Vegas
February 28, 2019

Best Practices on Communicating With Troubled Customers

National Consumer Products Credit Group Phoenix
February 21, 2019

I’m Tired of Being at the Back of the Line: How Trade Vendors Can Help Prevent a Customer’s Bankruptcy and Get Paid

National Association of Credit Management Central Region Credit Conference St. Louis
September 13, 2017

The Future of Retail: How Rapid Changes in the Retail Economy Are Affecting Creditor Strategies

National Association of Credit Management National Home Centers Credit Group Kansas City MO
May 16, 2017

The Future of Retail: How Rapid Changes in the Retail Economy Are Affecting Bankruptcy Practice

American College of Bankruptcy First Circuit Fellows and Boston College of Law School Boston
March 31, 2017

The Details of Retail: Can You Reorganize Middle-Market Retailers?

12th Annual American Bankruptcy Institute Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop Cambridge MD
August 5, 2016

So You Don't Want to File for Chapter 11? Exploring the Pros and Cons of Common Alternatives to Chapter 11

National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Chicago
October 10, 2014

Advanced Committee Issues

86th Annual National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges San Diego
October 26, 2012

Starting Up a Foreign Business

Pennsylvania Bar Institute Philadelphia
September 28, 2010

Look Who's Showing Up to the Party: Examining the Pros and Cons of Bankruptcy Examiners

Philadelphia Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association Wilmington DE
September 27, 2010