Nancy A. Peterman is Chair of the Chicago Restructuring & Special Situations Practice. She focuses her practice on complex corporate restructurings and M&A transactions involving distressed companies. Nancy represents private equity funds, debtors, sellers, purchasers, investor groups, and creditors in these matters. Nancy has deep experience in health care restructuring.
Nancy has been recognized by Chambers USA as a leading restructuring lawyer. Clients describe her as “brilliant, strategic, and highly effective,” and praise her ability to “navigate complex issues, unite parties, and drive results with professionalism and focus.”
Concentrations
•Corporate restructurings
•Distressed mergers and acquisitions
•Special situations and distressed transactions
•Health law
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Team Member, The M&A Advisor, 'Consumer Discretionary Deal of the Year (under US $1billion),' 2025
•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America
•'Lawyer of the Year,' Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Chicago, 2023
•Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2007-2026
•Health Care Law, 2022-2024, 2026
•Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2006-2025
•Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Illinois Super Lawyers, 2005-2025
•Listed, “The Top 10 Lawyers in Illinois,” 2023-2025
•Listed, “The Top 100 Lawyers in Illinois,” 2015-2020, 2023-2025
•Listed, “Top 50 Female Lawyers in Illinois,” 2005, 2007, 2009-2020, 2023-2025
•Listed, Leading Lawyers Network, 2006-2025
•Listed, “Among the Top 10 Commercial Bankruptcy Lawyers in Illinois,” 2014, 2018
•Listed, Lawdragon, '500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers,' 2020 and 2024-2025
•Listed, Lawdragon, '500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers,' 2022
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Finance Restructuring (Including Bankruptcy): Corporate, 'Other Key Lawyer,' 2022
•Member, Winning Team, TMA Chicago/Midwest Awards, “Small Transaction of the Year” for Premier Health Care Management, Inc., 2022
•Member, Winning Team, Turnaround Management Association, “TMA Annual Turnaround/Transaction of the Year Award,” 2021
•Member, Winning Team, The M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards, “Restructuring of the Year ($500 MM - $1B),” for the restructuring of American Addiction Centers, 2021
•fellow, American College of Bankruptcy
•Named, “Top 100: Restructuring & Turnaround Professionals,” Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas Awards, 2014
•Recipient, Seventh Circuit Bar Association’s Pro Bono & Public Interest Service Award, 2014
•Selected, “Restructuring Lawyer of the Year - Middle Markets,” Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas Awards, 2013
•Board Certified, Business Bankruptcy Law, American Board of Certification
•Member, teams working on deals that received the following awards:
•Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas Awards
•“Chapter 11 Restructuring of the Year (Mid-Markets)” for Senior Care Centers, 2021
•“Chapter 11 Restructuring, Mid-Market Segments (100-250)” for Lombard Public Facilities Corporation, 2019
•“Consumer Services Restructuring of the Year” for Last Call Guarantor, LLC, 2017
•“Private Equity Turnaround of the Year - Middle Markets,” for The Wet Seal, Inc., 2016
•“Cross Border Special Situation M&A Deal of the Year' for AgFeed Industries, 2014
•“Insolvency Deal of the Year - Middle Markets,” for ShengdaTech, Inc., 2013
•“Private Equity Turnaround of the Year” for American Laser Skincare LLC, 2012
•TMA Chicago/Midwest Awards Program, “Small Transaction of the Year” for Lombard Public Facilities Corporation, 2018
•M&A Advisor’s Turnaround Awards
•“Refinancing Deal of the Year” for Lombard Public Facilities Corporation, 2019
•“Sec. 363 Sale of the Year ($25MM to $100MM)” for Last Call Guarantor, LLC, 2017
•“Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year (Under $500MM)” for The Wet Seal, Inc., 2016
•M&A Advisor Awards, “Retail Manufacturing and Distribution Deal of the Year” for The Wet Seal, Inc., 2015
American College of Bankruptcy
Noteworthy Experience
•Assisted in drafting the health care bankruptcy provisions of Public Law No. 109-8 (the 2005 amendments to the Bankruptcy Code), which was signed into law by President Bush in 2005.
Associated News & Events
Press Releases
04.07.17 Greenberg Traurig Receives Multiple Honors at 2017 Turnaround Atlas Awards
01.31.17 Greenberg Traurig Wins M&A Advisor Turnaround Award
01.24.17 56 Greenberg Traurig Chicago Attorneys Recognized by Leading Lawyers
01.13.17 35 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Recognized in 2017 Edition of Illinois Super Lawyers
08.16.16 23 Greenberg Traurig Chicago Attorneys Listed in the 2017 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
06.08.16 20 Greenberg Traurig Chicago Attorneys Recognized in the 2016 Edition of Chambers USA
05.18.16 Greenberg Traurig Received Multiple Honors at the 2016 Turnaround Atlas Awards
02.02.16 36 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Recognized in 2016 Edition of Illinois Super Lawyers
01.29.16 Greenberg Traurig Wins Two M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards
11.30.15 Greenberg Traurig's David D. Cleary and Nancy A. Peterman to Speak at ABI's Winter Leadership Conference
Published Articles
01.06.16 PCOs and the Ongoing Debate over Cost: 10 Years Later
11.03.15 SECTION 506 - SECURED CREDITORS' CLAIMS - LIEN STRIPPING
09.04.15 The Good Faith Transferee Defense and Publicly Traded Securities
10.01.14 Talking Point: Credit Bidding Challenges in Bankruptcy
08.01.14 Recovering Assets in China: Practicalities and Pitfalls
04.30.14 Claims Trading: Taking The Good With The Bad
04.01.14 Section 506 - Secured Creditors' Claims
01.01.14 Investing in Distressed or Underperforming Companies: Recent Challenges to Favored Deal Structures
03.01.13 Debtor-In-Possession Financing in US Bankruptcy Cases
02.01.13 Investing in China: What Every Investor Must Know
Alerts
04.01.05 Business Bankruptcy Provisions of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005
04.01.05 The Healthcare Bankruptcy Bill Member: Professional & Community Involvement
•Board Member, HFS Chicago Scholars
•Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
•Former Member, Board of Directors
•Former Member, Executive Committee
•Former Co-Chair, High Tech and Telecom Committee
•Former Co-Chair, Committee on Health Care Insolvency
•Former Chair, Chicago Bar Association's Bankruptcy & Reorganization Committee
•Former President and Former Board Member, Women's Health Executive Network Fellow: American College of Bankruptcy
Associated News & Events
Press Releases
01.31.17 Greenberg Traurig Wins M&A Advisor Turnaround Award
01.24.17 56 Greenberg Traurig Chicago Attorneys Recognized by Leading Lawyers
01.13.17 35 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Recognized in 2017 Edition of Illinois Super Lawyers
08.16.16 23 Greenberg Traurig Chicago Attorneys Listed in the 2017 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
06.08.16 20 Greenberg Traurig Chicago Attorneys Recognized in the 2016 Edition of Chambers USA
05.27.16 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys, Practices Included in the 2016 Chambers USA Guide
05.18.16 Greenberg Traurig Received Multiple Honors at the 2016 Turnaround Atlas Awards
02.02.16 36 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Recognized in 2016 Edition of Illinois Super Lawyers
01.29.16 Greenberg Traurig Wins Two M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards
11.30.15 Greenberg Traurig's David D. Cleary and Nancy A. Peterman to Speak at ABI's Winter Leadership Conference
Published Articles
01.06.16 PCOs and the Ongoing Debate over Cost: 10 Years Later
11.03.15 SECTION 506 - SECURED CREDITORS' CLAIMS - LIEN STRIPPING
09.04.15 The Good Faith Transferee Defense and Publicly Traded Securities
10.01.14 Talking Point: Credit Bidding Challenges in Bankruptcy
08.01.14 Recovering Assets in China: Practicalities and Pitfalls
04.30.14 Claims Trading: Taking The Good With The Bad
04.01.14 Section 506 - Secured Creditors' Claims
01.01.14 Investing in Distressed or Underperforming Companies: Recent Challenges to Favored Deal Structures
03.01.13 Debtor-In-Possession Financing in US Bankruptcy Cases
02.01.13 Investing in China: What Every Investor Must Know
Alerts
04.01.05 Business Bankruptcy Provisions of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005
04.01.05 The Healthcare Bankruptcy Bill
Noteworthy Experience
•Assisted in drafting the health care bankruptcy provisions of Public Law No. 109-8 (the 2005 amendments to the Bankruptcy Code), which was signed into law by President Bush in 2005. Member: Professional & Community Involvement
•Board Member, HFS Chicago Scholars
•Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
•Former Member, Board of Directors
•Former Member, Executive Committee
•Former Co-Chair, High Tech and Telecom Committee
•Former Co-Chair, Committee on Health Care Insolvency
•Former Chair, Chicago Bar Association's Bankruptcy & Reorganization Committee
•Former President and Former Board Member, Women's Health Executive Network Fellow: American College of Bankruptcy
Noteworthy Experience
•Assisted in drafting the health care bankruptcy provisions of Public Law No. 109-8 (the 2005 amendments to the Bankruptcy Code), which was signed into law by President Bush in 2005. Member: Professional & Community Involvement
•Board Member, HFS Chicago Scholars
•Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
•Former Member, Board of Directors
•Former Member, Executive Committee
•Former Co-Chair, High Tech and Telecom Committee
•Former Co-Chair, Committee on Health Care Insolvency
•Former Chair, Chicago Bar Association's Bankruptcy & Reorganization Committee
•Former President and Former Board Member, Women's Health Executive Network Fellow: American College of Bankruptcy
Areas of Concentration
•Business restructurings
•Creditor rights
•Debtor rights
•Health law
Noteworthy Experience
•Assisted in drafting the health care bankruptcy provisions of Public Law No. 109-8 (the 2005 amendments to the Bankruptcy Code), which was signed into law by President Bush in 2005. Member: Professional & Community Involvement
•Board Member, HFS Chicago Scholars
•Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
•Board of Directors
•Former Member, Executive Committee
•Former Co-Chair, High Tech and Telecom Committee
•Former Co-Chair, Committee on Health Care Insolvency
•Former Chair, Chicago Bar Association's Bankruptcy & Reorganization Committee
•Former President and Former Board Member, Women's Health Executive Network Fellow: American College of Bankruptcy
Noteworthy Experience
•Assisted in drafting the health care bankruptcy provisions of Public Law No. 109-8 (the 2005 amendments to the Bankruptcy Code), which was signed into law by President Bush in 2005. Member: Professional & Community Involvement
•Board Member, HFS Chicago Scholars
•Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
•Board of Directors
•Former Member, Executive Committee
•Former Co-Chair, High Tech and Telecom Committee
•Former Co-Chair, Committee on Health Care Insolvency
•Former Chair, Chicago Bar Association's Bankruptcy & Reorganization Committee
•Former President and Former Board Member, Women's Health Executive Network Fellow: American College of Bankruptcy
Noteworthy Experience
• Assisted in drafting the health care bankruptcy provisions of Public Law No. 109-8 (the 2005 amendments to the Bankruptcy Code), which was signed into law by President Bush in 2005.
Articles, Publications, & Lectures
Articles
• Co-Author, Claims Trading - Taking The Good With The Bad, Law360, April 30, 2014
• Co-Author, Investing in Distressed or Underperforming Companies: Recent Challenges to Favored Deal Structures, Insights, Winter 2014
• Author, Debtor-In-Possession Financing in US Bankruptcy Cases, International Corporate Rescue, Volume 10, Issue 2, 2013
• Co-Author, Investing in China: What Every Investor Must Know, The Bankruptcy Strategist, February 2013
• Co-Author, Section 506,Norton Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law, 2005-2013 editions
• Co-Author, Highest Dollar Bid Not Always the Best,New York Law Journal, June 27, 2011
• Co-Author, In Such a Regulated Industry, Why So Much Fraud and Financial Impropriety?ABI Healthcare Committee Newsletter, April 2011
• Co-Author, Restructuring Challenges of Tax Exempt Bond FinancingAmerican Bankruptcy Institute Journal, December 2010/January 2011
• Co-Author, When Your Health-Care Facility Is Dead On Arrival,DBR Small Cap, September 15, 2010
• Co-Author, Continuing-Care Retirement Facilities: Are Residents' Deposits Recoverable?American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, May 2010
• Co-Author, Shaking the Tree: Using Negative Notice to Prime Mechanics,DBR Small Cap, May 26, 2010
• Roundtable Participant, Prospects For Restructuring in the U.S. Healthcare Sector,Financier Worldwide Magazine, February 2010
• Author, Health Care Reform: An Overview and Its Long-Term Financial Effects,ABI Committee News, December 2009
• Co-Author, Healthcare Industry Not Immune to Economic Realities,The Journal of Corporate Renewal, November/December 2009
• Co-Author, Healthcare Bankruptcy Cases: The Medical Malpractice Claim Dilemma,American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, October 2009
• Co-Author The Turnaround Operator's Perspective... Facing the Challenges & Opportunities in Today's Healthcare Industry,ABF Journal, July/August 2009
• Co-Author, The Challenges and Opportunities in Today's Healthcare Industry: The Turnaround Operator's Perspective,ABI Committee News, July 2009
• Co-Author, Challenges Facing Financially Troubled Health-Care Businesses,Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review, June 24, 2009
Books
• Contributing Author,ABI Health Care Insolvency Manual, Third Edition, June 2012
• Assistant Editor,West's Norton Bankruptcy Law & Practice treatise
• Assistant Editor and Contributing Author,ABI Health Care Insolvency Manual, First Edition, December 1997
• Former Co-Editor in Chief,Wiley Bankruptcy Law Update
Speeches
• Speaker, Restructuring, State of Affairs, Restructuring & Turnaround Intelligence Forum, Global M&A Network, Chicago, IL, June 24, 2014
• Speaker, Making the Return Trip: Recovering Assets in China, Mexico and Canada, ABI Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, Lake Geneva, WI, June 12-14, 2014
• Speaker, Hot Topics in Healthcare Restructuring by the Female Titans of Healthcare, International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation Meeting, Chicago, IL June 5, 2014
• Speaker, New Guidelines on Professional Fees/Compensation, Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors' Bankruptcy & Restructuring Conference, Denver, CO, June 4-7, 2014
• Speaker, Can You Hear me Now? Turnaround Management Association, The 2014 Senate, Chicago, IL, May 7-9, 2014
• Speaker, Managing for Private Equity, Women's Association of Venture and Equity Inc., Chicago, IL, May 1, 2014
• Speaker, Bankruptcy Litigation Updates in 2013, The Knowledge Congress Webinar, July 22, 2013
• Speaker, Latest Developments: Restructuring and Turnaround Practices, Distressed M&A, Restructuring Intelligence Program, Global M&A Network, Chicago, IL, June 25, 2013
• Speaker, Recent Trends in Valuation and Bankruptcy Litigation, West LegalEdcenter's Hot Topics in Bankruptcy Litigation Webcast, April 24, 2013
• Speaker, The PCO (Patient Care Ombudsman) Revisited, ABA Business Law Section 2013 Spring Meeting, Washington, D.C., April 4-6, 2013
• Speaker, Investing in China: What Every Investor Must Know, Association of Corporate Counsel, Chicago, IL, March 12, 2013
• Speaker, The Road Ahead: Looking Forward to 2013, M&A Advisor Distressed Investing Summit, Palm Beach, FL, March 6, 2013
• Speaker, American Bankruptcy Institute's 2012 Complex Financial Restructuring Program, Las Vegas, NV, September 13-14, 2012
• Speaker, Labour Relations Issues on Restructuring - The New Deal? ABI Canadian/American Cross-Border Insolvency Symposium, Toronto, Ontario, November 7, 2011
• Speaker, Rainmaking: Business Development for the Next Generation, 2011 Annual TMA Convention, San Diego, CA, October 26, 2011
• Speaker, How to Achieve a Successful Restructuring in Today's Changing Legal and Business Environment, 2011 Annual TMA Convention, San Diego, CA, October 26, 2011
• Moderator, Four Truths About Lending, Turnaround Management Association Breakfast Forum, Chicago, IL, November 5, 2010
• Speaker, Revisiting Chapter 11 Sale Strategies After Philadelphia Newspaper/Pacific Lumber, 84th Annual National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, New Orleans, LA, October 15, 2010
• Speaker, Valuation Methodologies of Distressed Assets and Companies: A Legal Overview, ABI Inaugural Professional Development Program, Chicago, IL, May 28, 2009
Associated News & Events
Press-Releases
07.10.14 Greenberg Traurig's Nancy Mitchell and Nancy Peterman Named 'Top 100: Restructuring & Turnaround Professionals' by Global M&A Network
06.30.14 Greenberg Traurig Receives Multiple Honors at 2014 Turnaround Atlas Awards
05.23.14 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys, Practices Included in 2014 Chambers USA Guide
05.19.14 Greenberg Traurig Receives Seventh Circuit Bar Association's 2014 Pro Bono & Public Interest Service Award
09.06.13 19 Greenberg Traurig Chicago Attorneys Recognized in 2014 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
06.28.13 Greenberg Traurig Receives 'Insolvency Deal of the Year' Award at 2013 Turnaround Atlas Awards
05.28.13 Chambers USA Guide 2013 Includes 176 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys, 33 Practice Areas
01.11.13 Forty-Seven Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Named to Leading Lawyers Network in Illinois
01.11.13 38 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Recognized in 2013 Edition of Illinois Super Lawyers
11.05.12 Greenberg Traurig Named 'Law Firm of the Year' in Two Bankruptcy Categories by U.S. News - Best Lawyers
Published Articles
04.30.14 Claims Trading: Taking The Good With The Bad
01.01.14 Investing in Distressed or Underperforming Companies: Recent Challenges to Favored Deal Structures
03.01.13 Debtor-In-Possession Financing in US Bankruptcy Cases
02.01.13 Investing in China: What Every Investor Must Know
06.27.11 Highest Dollar Bid Not Always the Best
12.01.10 Restructuring Challenges of Tax-Exempt Bond Financing for Health Care Facilities
05.03.10 Continuing-Care Retirement Facilities: Are Residents' Deposits Recoverable?
01.01.10 Section 506 --- Secured Creditors' Claims
12.11.09 Healthcare Industry Not Immune to Economic Realities
12.01.09 Health Care Reform: An Overview and Its Long-Term Financial Effects
Alerts
04.01.05 Business Bankruptcy Provisions of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005
04.01.05 The Healthcare Bankruptcy Bill
Professional & Community Involvement
• Board Member, HFS Chicago Scholars
• Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
• Board of Directors
• Executive Committee
• Former Co-Chair, High Tech and Telecom Committee
• Former Co-Chair, Committee on Health Care Insolvency
• Former Chair, Chicago Bar Association's Bankruptcy & Reorganization Committee
• Former President and Former Board Member, Women's Health Executive Network
