Chambers USA 2021 Highly Ranks Freeborn’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice Group and Leader in Illinois

CHICAGO – Chambers USA has ranked Freeborn & Peters LLP’s Bankruptcy practice and Practice Group Leader in Illinois in its 2021 legal industry guide.

Freeborn was again ranked as among the top firms in Illinois for Bankruptcy, and Partner and Leader of the Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice Group, Shelly A. DeRousse, was once again ranked for Bankruptcy/Financial Restructuring. 

“We are honored to once again be recognized for our bankruptcy practice in the 2021 edition of the prestigious Chambers USA guide,” said Freeborn Co-Managing Partner William E. Russell. “We congratulate Shelly, as well as our entire Bankruptcy team, for consistently delivering high-quality legal services to our clients on multifaceted bankruptcy and creditor’s committee matters.” 

Freeborn’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice Group is well-known throughout the country for its aggressive, cutting-edge solutions. The Group advises clients affected by financial distress, providing creditor clients with a cross-functional team of bankruptcy, tax, restructuring, finance and litigation specialists who have extensive experience on creditors’ rights issues. The Group provides lender clients with the most cost-effective and practical workout solutions while zealously pursuing their fundamental business goal of achieving complete and timely repayment of loans or recovery of other assets. 

During the Chambers research process, a client noted: “It is a great team to work with. I will definitely recommend them to anyone needing bankruptcy attorneys. The firm is friendlier and more customer relationship-driven than other firms we have dealt with. They have a great reputation and experience.”

Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice Group Leader Shelly A. DeRousse was also ranked individually.  During the Chambers research process, a third party commented, “I have only the highest regard for her outstanding litigation skills, professionalism, ethics and resourcefulness when representing clients. This is why we chose her for a complicated litigation.” 

As lead counsel, Shelly has represented official creditors’ committees throughout the country in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Additionally, she represents companies and high earning individuals in their restructurings or workout negotiations with their lenders and other creditors. Additionally, she is known among banks and other financial institutions as a leading attorney for lenders in bankruptcy cases, out-of-court workouts of borrowers’ loans, and assignments for the benefit of creditors, using creative solutions to maximize the lenders’ recovery from collateral and other assets.   

Shelly is the President of the Women's Bar Foundation of Illinois and serves as the Co-Chair of the Turnaround Management Association's Committee for Networking of Women for the Midwest Region. In 2018, Shelly was elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and was one of six women in the nation named as finalist for the distinguished Chambers award for “Inspiring Role Model in Promoting Gender Diversity in the Legal Profession.”

Chambers and Partners ranks leading U.S. firms and attorneys based on in-depth research and interviews with attorneys’ clients and peers. Chambers assesses attorneys on attributes most valued by clients, including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, and commitment. The Chambers USA guide is widely read by industry-leading companies and organizations nationwide. For more information, visit https://www.chambersandpartners.com.