Shari L. Heyen

Shari L. Heyen: Attorney with Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Shari L. Heyen is Senior Vice President, Co-Chair of the firm’s Global Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, and Co-Regional Operating Shareholder of Texas. Shari has experience in complex restructuring, bankruptcy, insolvency and complex commercial litigation matters. She has represented numerous creditors' committees, debtors, bank groups, acquirers and other significant constituencies in national Chapter 11 cases and workout proceedings, including complex oil, gas and energy cases. Shari has broad experience in the prosecution and defense of fiduciary litigation, real estate, oil and gas, health care, receiverships and alternative energy matters.

Concentrations

•Litigation
•Commercial
•Corporate reorganization
•Business restructuring
•Creditors' rights
•Energy, oil and gas
•Commercial complex bankruptcy
•Real estate insolvency
•Health care insolvency
•Foreclosures and workouts
•Global energy and infrastructure

Judicial Clerkships

•Hon. Randolph F. Wheless, Jr., Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas
•Hon. Karen K. Brown, Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas
•Hon. Manuel D. Leal, Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas

Recognition & Leadership

Awards & Accolades

•Listed, IFLR1000, 'Highly Regarded,' Restructuring, 2024-2025
•Listed, Thomson Reuters, 'Stand-Out Lawyers,' 2024-2025
•Named, Porsche West Houston, 'Inspiring Women of Houston,' 2024
•Listed, Profiles in Diversity Journal, “Women Worth Watching,” 2022
•Listed, Houston Business Journal, “Outstanding Diversity Champions,” 2022
•Member of Recognized Team, U.S. News - Best Lawyers 2022 ‘Best Law Firms’ Report, “Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency Reorganization Law and Litigation -Bankruptcy,” 2022
•Member, teams working on deals that received the following Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas awards:
•“Community & Social Impact Award of the Year,” for work with Bridgeman Sports and Media 363 asset acquisition of Ebony Media Holdings, 2021
•“Chapter 11 Restructuring of the Year (Mid-Markets)” for Senior Care Centers, 2021
•“Energy Services Restructuring of the Year (Mid-Markets)” for Shale Support Global Holdings, 2021
•“Restructuring of the Year - Middle Markets,” 2019
•“Turnaround of the Year,” 2019
•“Corporate Turnaround of the Year” for the Chapter 11 plan of reorganization for C&J Energy Services, multi-billion restructuring, 2017
•“Chapter 11 Restructuring of the Year - Middle Markets,” for the Global Geophysical Services Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, 2016
•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2010-2026
•Texas's Best Lawyers, 2010-2021
•Shortlisted, Euromoney, “Women in Business Awards - Best in Insolvency & Bankruptcy,' 2020 and 2022-2024
•Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2015 and 2022-2025
•Listed, Euromoney's Expert Guides: “Women in Business Law,” 2021-2022
•Named, Global M&A Network,
•“Restructuring Woman Leader,” 2023
•“Top USA Woman Dealmaker,” 2019
•Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Texas Super Lawyers, 2004-2025
•Corporate Counsel (Business Edition), “Top Attorneys in Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights,” 2009-2018
•Recommended, The Legal 500 United States
•Finance - Restructuring (Including Bankruptcy) - Corporate, 2019-2022
•General Commercial Disputes, 2017
•Named, Houston Business Journal, Women Who Mean Business, “Outstanding Leader in Law,” 2019
•Team Member, a U.S. News - Best Lawyers, “Law Firm of the Year” in Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2013
•Rated, AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0

Texas Bar Foundation

•Member, American Bankruptcy Institute

•Member, American Bar Association

•Member, Bar Association of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

•Member, Commercial Finance Association

•Member, Federal Bar Association

•Member, Houston Bankruptcy Conference

•Member, Houston Bar Association

•Member, State Bar of Texas

•Member, Turnaround Management Association Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation

• Member, American Bankruptcy Institute

• Member, American Bar Association

• Member, Bar Association of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

• Member, Commercial Finance Association

• Member, Federal Bar Association

• Member, Houston Bankruptcy Conference

• Member, Houston Bar Association

• Member, State Bar of Texas

• Member, Turnaround Management Association

Awards & Recognition

• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2010-2014
- Texas' Best Lawyers, 2010-2013

• Team Member, a U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, "Law Firm of the Year" in Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2013

• Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Texas Super Lawyers, 2004-2013
- Corporate Counsel (Business Edition), "Top Attorneys in Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights," 2009-2012

• Rated, AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5

Professional Experience

Significant Representations

• Counsel for Ameriquest Mortgage in case of first impression involving the interpretation of the Home Equity Amendment to the Texas Constitution. These decisions are reported at Doody v. Ameriquest Mortgage Co., 49 S.W.3d 342 (Tex 2001); Doody v. Ameriquest Mortgage Co., 242 F.3d 286 (5th Cir. 2001).

• Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Bigler Petrochemical, et al.

• Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Renaissance Hospital Grand Prairie, Inc., et al.

• Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center Corporation.

• Counsel for the Official Committee of Administrative Claimants, LTV Steel, Inc.

• Counsel for Chapter 11 debtor, PS America, Inc.

• Counsel for Chapter 11 debtor, Universal Automotive.

• Counsel for Chapter 11 debtor, CSC Steel.

• Counsel for Chapter 11 debtor, Glasstech Holding Co., et al.

Clerkship

• Law Clerk, Honorable Randolf F. Wheless, Jr., Chief Judge for the Southern District of Texas, the Honorable Manuel D. Leal and the Honorable Karen K. Brown

Publications & Presentations

Articles, Lectures & Publications

Articles

• Shari has written articles on international bankruptcy proceedings and the protection of creditors in insolvency proceedings, and has lectured on various real estate, banking and bankruptcy topics. She frequently lectures on various bankruptcy, litigation and restructuring topics.

• Author, "Contract-Assumption Defense Can Aid Creditors," Texas Lawyer, April 2011

• Author, "Transnational Bankruptcy Proceedings: Making Sure Creditors Worldwide Get An Equitable Recovery," Currents: International Trade Law Journal, Summer 1996

Lectures

• CLE Speaker, "Hot Topics in Bankruptcy and Claims Litigation," HPA Annual CLE, Galveston, TX, May 3, 2013

• CLE Speaker, "Bankruptcy Litigation," Norton Bankruptcy Institute, February 2012

• CLE Speaker, "Drafting Disclosure Statements and Chapter 11 Plans," Norton Bankruptcy Institute, April 21, 2011

• CLE Speaker, "Liquidating Trusts," Norton Bankruptcy Institute, February 27, 2011

• CLE Speaker, "Drafting Disclosure Statements and Chapter 11 Plans," Norton Bankruptcy Institute, February 26, 2011

• CLE Speaker, "First Day Motions and Orders in Complex Chapter 11 Cases," Norton Bankruptcy Institute Seminar, April 15, 2010

• CLE Speaker, Association of Women lawyers, "Bankruptcy Basics," Houston, TX, March 2004

• CLE Speaker, Association of Probate and Tax lawyers, "The Bankruptcy Practice" Houston, TX, October 2002

• CLE Speaker, Texas Association of Bank Counsel, "A Practitioner's View of Oral Argument Before the Texas Supreme Court," Austin, TX, faculty, October 2001

• In-House CLE Speaker, "Successful Workout for the Failed Dot Com," July 2001

• CLE Speaker, "The Bankruptcy Code and Its Impact on Leases," CLE International, Austin, TX, faculty, January 2001

• CLE Speaker, "The Implications of the Proposed Bankruptcy Code Changes on Leases," CLE International, Austin, TX, faculty, October 1999

Miscellaneous

• Participant, 2006 Bankruptcy Law Roundtable, Texas Lawyer Roundtables, Houston, TX, October 3, 2006

Member: Houston, Federal and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; Houston Bankruptcy Conference; Turnaround Management Association; American Bankruptcy Institute.

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Areas of Practice (7)

  • Restructuring & Special Situations
  • Litigation
  • Health Care & FDA Practice
  • Infrastructure
  • Energy & Natural Resources
  • Energy Transactions
  • Complex Torts

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Oklahoma Christian University, B.S., magna cum laude, 1984; University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Law School Attended:
University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 1990
Year of First Admission:
1990
Admission:
1990, Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas; Supreme Court of the United States
Memberships:

Professional & Community Involvement

•Member, Greater Houston Partnership’s Executive Women’s Partnership
•Member, Women's Energy Network, 2018-2024
•Commissioner Judge for City of Houston, Houston Police Officers’ Civil Service Commission (appointed by Mayor of Houston), 2008-2024
•fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
•Advisory Board Member, Institute of Energy Law
•Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
•Member, American Bar Association
•Member, Bar Association of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
•Member, Commercial Finance Association
•Member, Federal Bar Association
•Member, Houston Bankruptcy Conference
•Member, Houston Bar Association
•Member, State Bar of Texas
•Member, Turnaround Management Association
•Faculty Member, Norton Bankruptcy Institute, 2009-2012
•Board of Directors, Association of Women Attorneys for the Houston Bar Association, 2005-2007

Birth Information:
1961
Reported Cases:
Experience: Representative Matters: Counsel for successful buyer of over $150 million of alternative energy facilities in national Chapter 11 case.; Counsel for Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Alpha Entertainment (XFL Football).; Counsel for MUJI USA, Ltd.; Counsel to ad hoc noteholders in Brazos Electric.; Counsel for Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Senior Care Centers, LLC, et al.; Counsel for Plan Administrator, Cobalt International Energy, Inc., et al.; Counsel for Creditor Representative, Linn Energy, LLC, et al.; Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, CJ Holding Co., et al.; Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Ryckman Creek Resources, LLC, et al.; Counsel for Ameriquest Mortgage in case of first impression involving the interpretation of the Home Equity Amendment to the Texas Constitution. These decisions are reported at Doody v. Ameriquest Mortgage Co., 49 S.W.3d 342 (Tex 2001); Doody v. Ameriquest Mortgage Co., 242 F.3d 286 (5th Cir. 2001).; Counsel for Mississippi Development Authority in the KiOR, Inc. bankruptcy proceeding in Delaware.; Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Global Geophysical, et al.; Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Buccaneer Resources, et al. (Australian publicly traded company).; Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Piccadilly Restaurants, LLC, et al.; Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Bigler Petrochemical, et al.; Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Renaissance Hospital Grand Prairie, Inc., et al.; Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center Corporation.; Counsel for the Official Committee of Administrative Claimants, LTV Steel, Inc.; Counsel for Chapter 11 debtor, PS America, Inc.; Counsel for Chapter 11 debtor, Universal Automotive.; Counsel for Chapter 11 debtor, CSC Steel.; Counsel for Chapter 11 debtor, Glasstech Holding Co., et al.
ISLN:
906505142

Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact Shari L. Heyen

Contact Information:

713-374-3505  Fax

www.gtlaw.com/People/Shari-L-Heyen

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