Latham & Watkins on Monday announced the addition of O'Melveny & Myers' U.S. restructuring practice chief, buttressing its own turnaround practice at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has put bankruptcy and restructuring specialists in high demand.

Suzzanne Uhland is joining Latham's ranks in New York as a partner in its restructuring and special situations practice. At O'Melveny, Uhland was one of several lawyers who represented the government of Puerto Rico as the U.S. territory stares down more than $100 billion in debt.

Uhland said her practice had been widening to cover both international restructuring and more debtor-side representations, areas in which Latham was also expanding its focus.

"There was this great synchronicity of where I was trying to move my practice and Latham was making investments and getting real traction," Uhland said. "It worked out perfectly well."

Uhland's move to Latham began in early March when she met up with George Davis, a former O'Melveny colleague of hers who is the global chairman of Latham's restructuring and special situations practice. Davis said Uhland was a "perfect fit" for the work Latham is doing.

At that point in time, the coronavirus pandemic was on people's radar but hadn't yet caused the mass shutdowns that have taken place across the United States and the world. Uhland said she was able to visit a Latham office before law firms began working remotely en masse.

The hire comes as partners who specialize in bankruptcy, restructuring and leveraged finance find themselves increasingly busy, with the U.S. economy struggling under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past month, at least seven companies have hired Kirkland & Ellis to handle their respective bankruptcy filings. Two Kirkland restructuring partners jumped to Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. A 20-year Akin Gump veteran moved over to Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. Greenberg Traurig poached bankruptcy and restructuring lawyers from Dorsey & Whitney and Holland & Knight.

Uhland said she has seen an uptick in her work due to the pandemic. She's also fielding multiple questions from clients she hasn't spoken to in years.

"Even deals that should have been easily closed two months ago are taking 10 times as much work given the uncertainty," Uhland said.

An O'Melveny spokesman said the firm wished Uhland well.

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