Lowenstein Sandler LLP, which has a strong presence in New Jersey, announced a significant expansion of its Bankruptcy & Restructuring Department with the addition of a high-profile four-lawyer team in Wilmington, Delaware. The arrival of Partner Shanti Mulpuru Katona, Counsel Elisa Hyder and Associates Katherine Devanney and Michael DiPietro marks a major milestone in the firm’s “Vision 2030” strategic growth plan.
The team joins from Polsinelli and will be based in Lowenstein’s newly established Wilmington office, which opened just last month. This move reunited Katona with Christopher Ward, her former co-chair at Polsinelli, further cementing the firm’s presence in the critical Delaware bankruptcy market.
The new arrivals bring a wealth of experience that complements Lowenstein’s existing reputation as a powerhouse for unsecured creditors. The firm was recently ranked by The American Lawyer among the top five law firms in 2025 for retentions by Unsecured Creditors’ Committees.
- Shanti Mulpuru Katona (Partner): A veteran in complex restructuring, Katona has represented debtors, creditors, and purchasers across the country. Her expertise spans financial enforcement, real estate loan workouts, and high-stakes litigation involving fraudulent transfers and preference claims.
- Elisa Hyder (Counsel): Focuses on advising distressed borrowers and secured/unsecured creditors through Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 filings, as well as out-of-court restructurings.
- Katherine Devanney (Associate): A former Deputy Attorney General for the Delaware Department of Justice, Devanney advises on financial restructuring and commercial transactions.
- Michael DiPietro (Associate): Specializes in corporate restructuring, distressed asset sales, and insolvency matters, including Article 9 foreclosure sales and assignments for the benefit of creditors.
The expansion is a direct result of Lowenstein’s Vision 2030, a long-term plan to grow the firm’s footprint in key legal markets.
“The expansion of our national bankruptcy practice reflects the momentum we’re seeing across our practices,” Jonathan Wishnia, Lowenstein’s managing partner said. “Our strategic plan envisions growth throughout key markets where our clients expect sophisticated, business-focused counsel.”
Jeffrey Cohen, chair of the Bankruptcy & Restructuring Department, noted that the team’s debtor-side experience provides an “ideal complement” to the firm’s longstanding creditor-side practice, creating a more holistic service offering for clients in the mid-Atlantic region.
