Practice Profile: Jamila Justine Willis's practice focuses on restructuring. Having extensive experience in complex restructurings across industries, Ms. Willis primarily represents corporate debtors in a wide range of insolvency matters, including cases under Chapters 11 and 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and cross-border insolvency proceedings.

In addition, Ms. Willis represents distressed investors, sponsors, and purchasers of distress assets in distressed asset sales and acquisitions, including under Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 foreclosure sales and Bankruptcy Code §363 sales.

Leadership, Pro Bono and Civic Work: Before starting her career as a restructuring attorney, Ms. Willis worked as a human rights attorney at an organization dedicated to ending criminal investigatory torture by building legal aid systems in developing nations. Ms. Willis now focuses much of her pro bono work on human rights and the development of legal systems throughout the world. In addition, Ms. Willis is a leader within the firm. She currently serves as co-chair of the New York Office Diversity Committee, sits on the New York Office pro bono and hiring committees, and is an active member of the Leadership Alliance for Women. Outside of the firm, Ms. Willis sits on the board of the Harlem Tech Fund and is the former chairwoman of the junior board of High Water Women.

Prior Experience:Ms. Willis was elevated to partner in April 2019. She joined the firm as an associate in 2014. At the outset of her legal career, she was a human rights attorney and began practicing bankruptcy law in 2010.

Education:

J.D., University of Virginia

B.A., economics and communications, University of Pennsylvania

What advice would you give to young lawyers? The practice of law is best when you are challenged, learning and in service to others. Seek a constant measure of all three consistently.