Sam Newman

Sam has represented debtors in significant Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings, including:

• Counsel to Wave Computing, Inc. in its Chapter 11 sale to an affiliate of Tallwood Venture Capital. 
• Counsel to Woodbridge Group of Companies, Natrol Inc., and The Standard Register Company in connection with each of their Chapter 11 cases. 
• Special Counsel to Lake at Las Vegas in connection with debtor-in-possession financing and other transactional matters in the restructuring of close to $1 billion in debt on a Las Vegas real estate development. 
• Special Counsel to ResMAE Mortgage Corporation for ResMAE’s asset sale under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code and debtor-in-possession financing. 
• Representation of several nationallyrecognized homebuilders in out-of-court restructurings of their credit facilities. 
• Credit Managers Association in its capacity as Assignee for the benefit of creditors of Westinghouse Digital Electronics LLC (“WDE”).

Sam has also represented investors in distressed assets:

• Macquarie Bank and Macquarie Securities (USA), Credit Suisse, Armory Credit Opportunity Fund, Capstone Equities, Lateral Investment Management, PDL Biopharma, Inc., and Creo Capital Partners, in connection with a variety of investments. 
• Macquarie Bank, as chair of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in Relativity Media chapter 11 case. a variety of investments.
• Credit Suisse, as member of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the People’s Choice Home Loan, Inc. bankruptcy.
• KS Automotive, Inc., as a member of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 case of auto parts manufacturer, Plastech, Inc.
• SK Telecom Americas, Inc., in its bid for the assets of Blockbuster Video, Inc. 
• Contec Corp., in its acquisition of the PowerBalance Corporation through a sale conducted pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.
• Ernst & Young LLP, in its capacity as independent consultant to one of the nation’s largest residential mortgage servicers in evaluating the servicer’s compliance with Federal bankruptcy laws.

Other transactional engagements include:

• Paulson & Co., in their successful stalking horse bid for the western states assets of TOUSA Homes, Inc. and certain of its affiliated debtors.
• Chriscott USA Inc., in closing their successful purchase of the assets of Barzel Industries Inc., a major steel tubing manufacturer with operations in the United States and Canada. 
• Vail Resorts, Inc., in several acquisitions of western-states resort properties. 
• Controlling noteholders in exercising remedies in connection with privately held $300 million manufacturing and distribution company. 
• Holder of secured debt issued by manufacturing company in an effort to force sale of company to third-party acquirer. 
• Defaulting debtor, in connection with foreclosure efforts by lender group.

*The above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

• Member, Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Clubs of America
• Member, Board of Directors, National Council of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
• Member, Board of Governors, Financial Lawyers Conference