O’Melveny Worldwide
Areas of Focus
Areas of Focus

Lou Strubeck, Chair of O’Melveny’s US Restructuring Practice, has a diverse and sophisticated national practice with an emphasis on representing major parties, including banks, insurance companies, private equity funds, hedge/distressed funds and other large institutional lenders, noteholders, and bondholders in complex commercial restructurings and reorganizations throughout the country.

Lou is lauded by his clients and peers, and has been described as “one of the most talented bankruptcy lawyers in Texas” and “one of the most prominent bankruptcy experts in the United States.” (Chambers USA and Texas Lawbook)

Recent significant matters in which he has been involved and represented major parties include Brazos Electric Cooperative, Boy Scouts of America, National Rifle Association, Chesapeake Energy, Aegean Marine Petroleum, Valaris Group, Danaos Corporation, Gold’s Gym, CHC Helicopters, Adeptus Health, Samson Energy, Sabine Oil and Gas, Quicksilver, Overseas Shipholding Group, EF Holdings, Enron, World Com, Mirant Corporation, Calpine, Dynegy, Pilgrim's Pride, General Motors, Chrysler, North American Petroleum, Vitro, SuperMedia, and ASARCO.

Prior to joining O’Melveny, Lou spent more than three decades working at a global full-service law firm, where he served as global and domestic Head of Financial Restructuring and Insolvency for its US offices.

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Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • Texas

Education

  • Temple University, J.D.
  • College of Charleston, B.A., Political Science and Government

Honors & Awards

  • Recognized by Chambers USA for Bankruptcy/Restructuring in Nationwide (2011-2024) and Texas (2005-2024)
  • Recommended by The Legal 500 US for Restructuring (including Bankruptcy): Corporate and Municipal (2016-2020, 2022-2024)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, and Litigation - Bankruptcy in Dallas, TX (2005-2025)
  • Chambers Global, USA: Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chambers & Partners (2023)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2019 Lawyer of the Year, Litigation - Bankruptcy, Best Lawyers (2019)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Dallas: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Best Lawyers (2017)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers (2017-2021)
  • IFLR1000 – United States, Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC (2021)
  • Texas Super Lawyer, Bankruptcy: Business, Thomson Reuters (2003-2020)
  • The Lawdragon 500, Leading Global Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers, Lawdragon, Inc. (2020)
  • Who's Who Legal, Restructuring & Insolvency, Law Business Research Ltd. (2018)
  • AV Preeminent, Texas Top-Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Hubbell

Professional Activities

Co-Author

  • “Introduction to Health Care Bankruptcies: What Makes Health Care Bankruptcies Different and Why to Expect More in 2018,” Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference (February 22, 2018)
  • “Corporate Fiduciary Duties in Times of Financial Distress,” 33rd Annual AIRA Bankruptcy and Restructuring Conference (June 3, 2017)
  • “In the Oil Patch, 363 Sales Ain't What They Used to Be,” American College of Bankruptcy Annual 5th Circuit Conference (April 2, 2016)
  • “Analyzing Potential Bankruptcies in the Upstream Sector,” Texas Lawyer (March 9, 2015)

Member

  • Advisory Board, Contested Issues in Valuation (VALCON) 
  • Fee Dispute and Judiciary Subcommittee, Dallas Bar Association
  • Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy
  • Fellow, International Insolvency Institute
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • American Bar Association
  • State Bars of New York and Texas

Presenter

  • Co-author and presenter, “Introduction to Health Care Bankruptcies: What Makes Health Care Bankruptcies Different and Why to Expect More in 2018,” Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference (February 22, 2018)
  • Presenter, “The Market and Trends Related to Distressed Companies,” NYSE Governance Services Webcast (August 2016)
  • Co-author and presenter, “Current State of the Oil & Gas Industry: Recovery or Drilling Down,” AIRA 32nd Annual Bankruptcy and Restructuring Conference, San Diego (June 10, 2016)