Tara Schellhorn has joined Porzio, Bromberg & Newman as a pincipal in the firm’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Department.
Schellhorn, who came to the firm from Riker Danzig, brings nearly two decades of experience guiding clients through complex bankruptcy, restructuring and financial distress matters.
Schellhorn advises businesses, financial institutions, and fiduciaries in financially distressed situations. Her practice spans all areas of bankruptcy and restructuring, including representing debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, financial institutions, secured creditors, and unsecured creditors. She also has significant experience representing indenture trustees and other parties in default and bankruptcy scenarios involving complex corporate lending structures.
In addition to restructuring strategy, Schellhorn has substantial experience in bankruptcy litigation, including preference and avoidance actions, nondischargeability disputes, and contested matters. Her practice also includes civil litigation in federal and state courts, including the representation of court appointed receivers, allowing her to guide clients through related disputes that often arise alongside insolvency proceedings.
“I’m excited to join Porzio’s highly respected bankruptcy and restructuring team,” she said. “After almost two decades in practice, I was drawn to Porzio’s dynamic, highly engaged team and its forward-thinking approach to restructuring matters. The firm’s collaborative culture and expanded platform will allow me to better serve my clients on a broader scale while continuing to grow my practice. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the group and helping clients address financial challenges with practical, strategic solutions.”
Porzio Managing Principal Vito Gagliardi feels her arrival underscores the strength of the firm’s platform and its reputation as a destination for top-tier talent.
“Tara’s decision to join Porzio speaks volumes about the caliber of our team and the collaborative, client-focused approach that sets us apart,” he said. “She brings a sophisticated yet practical approach to helping clients protect value and navigate financial distress, which aligns perfectly with how we serve our clients. She is known to many of us at Porzio as a quality lawyer and a quality person, and we are so pleased to have her join the firm.”
Rachel Parisi, co-chair of Porzio’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Department, applauded the announcement.
“Tara’s ability to represent stakeholders across the restructuring spectrum — from debtors and committees to financial institutions and indenture trustees — adds tremendous depth to our team,” she said. “Her leadership within the insolvency community and her hands-on experience in complex Chapter 11 cases will be an immediate asset to our clients.”
Schellhorn is a recognized leader in the insolvency community. Currently she serves as Vice Chair of the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), a global organization for women in the practice of insolvency and restructuring and a member of the Board of Directors for the American Bankruptcy Institute, the nation’s largest organization of bankruptcy professionals.
On a local level, Schellhorn contributes to the insolvency community as Vice Chair of the Lawyers Advisory Committee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey and a trustee for the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey. In addition, she remains active in her community, including serving as an elected member of the town council for Chester Township.
