Robert Burns concentrates his practice on U.S. and international corporate restructurings and insolvency matters. Bob brings a unique and diverse background to the table, as he has advised distressed debt investors in acquisitions, restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings and the purchase of distressed assets and securities; counseled boards of directors and senior managers of financially troubled companies regarding fiduciary duties and restructuring strategies; and represented debtors in complex "mega-company" bankruptcies. He has broad restructuring experience over several industries, with a particular focus on energy, shipping and transportation.
Bob serves as chair of our New York-based Maritime Investment and Restructuring Practice. He has maritime law experience dating back to his tenure as the general counsel of American Commercial Lines, where he advised the company on legal issues such as vessel acquisitions, vessel charters and contracts of affreightment, shipbuilding contracts, domestic and international ship finance matters and U.S. Coast Guard and MARAD regulatory compliance. He has also executed dozens of shipping transactions in the U.S., South America, Europe, and Asia.
Bob served as lead bankruptcy counsel in two of the largest energy industry bankruptcies (NRG Energy and Calpine). In this capacity, he worked directly with company leadership on all aspects of these complex restructurings, including DIP financing, domestic and international asset divestitures, individual project finance reorganizations, and numerous complex issues involving conflicts between the Bankruptcy Code and state and federal energy regulations.
Prior to joining Bracewell, Bob was the general counsel of a $5 billion distressed debt hedge fund, where he worked closely with the portfolio team in the legal assessment of investment opportunities. He also provided the business and finance teams with legal guidance structuring reorganization transactions, devising implementation strategies, leading negotiations and deal execution. Bob regularly served as one of the fund's representatives on ad hoc lender groups and official committees of unsecured creditors.
