LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2010) – Venable today announced another strategic addition to its expanding business practice with the arrival of well-known California bankruptcy attorney Hamid R. Rafatjoo. He brings a large practice focused on representing committees of unsecured creditors to Venable's nationally ranked Bankruptcy practice, which has been involved in many of the largest and most complex reorganizations in recent years. He was formerly a partner at Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP, a bankruptcy boutique based in Los Angeles.
“Hamid's practice adds another dimension to our Bankruptcy work, rounding out our national practice and paving the way for a larger footprint in the Los Angeles market," said Gregory Cross, chair of Venable’s Bankruptcy Group and an American Lawyer 2010 "Dealmaker of the Year."
Representing debtors, creditors' committees and trustees in both out-of-court and Chapter 11 restructurings, Rafatjoo also has substantial experience handling bankruptcy cases for some of the leading real estate developers, retailers and recreational vehicle manufacturers.
Cross added that Rafatjoo's broad experience greatly expands Venable's depth in retail bankruptcies.
“Venable's platform gives me access to some of the top practitioners in the country," said Rafatjoo. “I plan to leverage the firm's experience, as well as Venable's well-known business attorneys, so I can continue to serve my clients even after they emerge from bankruptcy."
Doug Emhoff, managing partner of Venable's Los Angeles office, says the addition of Rafatjoo demonstrates the strong brand Venable has established in the Southern California market. "Hamid's arrival is the latest milestone in our campaign to strategically expand our capabilities to more fully serve the needs of our current and future clients," said Emhoff. "Having worked with Hamid prior to his arrival at Venable, I'm certain his capabilities and deep bankruptcy experience – with companies small, large, public and private, as well as their creditors – are an ideal fit for the corporate and litigation practices in our L.A. office."
Venable's Bankruptcy Practice Group has received major plaudits from national industry publications, including its recent recognition by Law 360 as one of the nation's top five bankruptcy practices.
Rafatjoo has been involved in a leadership capacity in several Southern California legal organizations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Bankruptcy Forum, a National Board Member of the Iranian American Bar Association, and a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. He was an assistant editor of Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice. He has also been named as a Southern California Super Lawyer (2007-2010) and is AV® Peer Rated by Martindale Hubbell. He received his law degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1995 and his B.A. from University of California at Irvine in 1992.
###
Note: An American Lawyer top 100 law firm, Venable LLP has attorneys practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs. Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world from its headquarters in Washington, DC and offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia.