In a major move to bolster its national restructuring footprint, Lowenstein Sandler LLP has announced the addition of Christopher Ward as a partner in its Bankruptcy & Restructuring Department.
Ward, the immediate past president of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) and former co-chair of Polsinelli’s restructuring practice, will spearhead the opening of Lowenstein’s new office in Wilmington, Delaware. The expansion is a key component of the firm’s “Vision 2030 Strategic Plan,” aimed at scaling its debtor-side representation to match its powerhouse creditors’ committee practice.
By establishing a physical presence in Wilmington—one of the nation’s busiest and most influential jurisdictions for Chapter 11 filings—Lowenstein Sandler is positioning itself to capture a larger share of middle-market debtor cases.
Jonathan Wishnia, Lowenstein’s managing partner, emphasized that the move is a top priority for the firm. “Expanding our debtor practice to complement our world-class creditors’ committee practice has been a strategic priority,” Wishnia stated. “Adding a lawyer of Chris’s caliber… is a large step in meeting that priority.”
For Ward, the move marks a return to his professional roots. He began his career as a first-year associate with Lowenstein’s bankruptcy group 25 years ago.
“This is a full circle moment in my career,” Ward said. “I anticipate growing Lowenstein’s new Delaware presence significantly in the very near future to offer counsel to creditors’ committees, debtors in Chapter 11 proceedings, and the whole range of corporate clients facing financial challenges.”
Ward brings over two decades of experience navigating high-stakes financial distress, including:
- Corporate Restructuring: Guiding companies through Chapter 11 proceedings and asset sales.
- Fiduciary Investigations: Handling complex business divorces and litigation.
- National Leadership: Leveraging his tenure as ABI President to provide high-level insights into national insolvency trends.
Jeffrey Cohen, chair of Lowenstein’s Bankruptcy & Restructuring Department, noted that he has known Ward for nearly 25 years. “It has always been one of our goals to expand our debtor representations,” Cohen said, calling Ward’s arrival a “natural extension” of the firm’s current work.
The launch of the Wilmington office follows a banner year for Lowenstein Sandler. In 2025, The American Lawyer ranked the firm among the top five nationally for retentions by Unsecured Creditors’ Committees.
With the addition of Ward and a new Delaware outpost, the firm is now uniquely equipped to handle every side of the bankruptcy table in the country’s most critical legal corridors.
