Debevoise Bolsters Restructuring Practice with Key Hires and Leadership Shifts

Event summary

  • Debevoise & Plimpton LLP adds three partners to its Restructuring Group, including Rachel Ehrlich Albanese as Co-Chair, effective February 16, 2026.
  • Firm appoints Ben Pedersen, Scott Selinger, and Erica Weisgerber as Co-Chairs of Liability Management and Special Situations, with Weisgerber also named Chair of Bankruptcy Litigation.
  • Natasha Labovitz, current Co-Chair of the Restructuring Group, will retire at the end of 2026, with Albanese and Sid Levinson ensuring a smooth transition.
  • New hires bring expertise in complex restructurings, distressed asset transactions, and high-stakes restructuring-related litigation.

The big picture

Debevoise's strategic investments in its restructuring practice come amid ongoing market pressures on balance sheets, particularly in the private capital space. The firm is positioning itself to advise clients across the full investment life cycle, from early-stage liability management to in-court restructurings. These moves reflect broader industry trends of heightened distressed situations and the need for coordinated, commercially focused advice throughout the business cycle.

What we're watching

Market Demand
How sustained client demand for restructuring capabilities, particularly in the private capital space, will impact Debevoise's growth strategy.
Succession Planning
Whether the transition from Natasha Labovitz to Rachel Ehrlich Albanese will maintain the firm's market-leading position in restructuring.
Competitive Positioning
The pace at which Debevoise can integrate new expertise to enhance its full-service offering and guide clients through complex distressed situations.