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Jeff Dutson is a partner in King & Spalding's Leveraged Finance and Restructuring group. Jeff represents banks and other investors in connection with their most complex restructurings, bankruptcy, and finance matters. Jeff also frequently represents corporate debtors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases throughout the country as well as buyers and sellers in distressed M&A transactions. Jeff’s practice spans a wide variety of industries, including the restaurant, real estate, healthcare, energy, transportation, manufacturing, and aviation industries.

Jeff was recently recognized by the American Bankruptcy Institute as part of its 40 Under 40 list of emerging leaders in the insolvency industry. He has also been recognized for his work in Bankruptcy and Restructuring by Chambers USA 2020, and he was selected as a “Rising Star” for Financial Restructuring in IFLR 1000’s Financial & Corporate Guide. He is a fellow of the American College of Investment Counsel, and is currently serving as the Co-Chair for the ACIC Spring Investment Forum. Jeff currently serves as the Co-Chair for the Advisory Board of the Southeastern ABI Workshop.  

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Jeff is a graduate of the University of Chicago (where he earned his law degree, with honors) and the University of Georgia (where he earned his bachelor's degree, with honors). Prior to joining the firm, Jeff served as a law clerk for the Honorable E. Grady Jolly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Selected Publications

Unitranche Credit Facilities and the LSTA New Form AAL, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, May 2019, with Sarah R. Borders and Jeffrey Misher.

Fifth Circuit Denies Post-Petition Default Interest to Fully Secured Creditors, The Banking Law Journal, September 2019, with Sarah Primrose and Nadia Saleem.

Order's Up!: Navigating Complex Restaurant Restructurings, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, July 2018, with Sarah R. Borders.

When Cash Might Not be King: Acquiring Nonprofit Hospitals in Bankruptcy, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, September 2017, with Paul K. Ferdinands.

Going Once, Going Twice, Sold! (Maybe): Reopening Auctions, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, February 2014, with W. Austin Jowers.

Successor Liability under the FLSA: Buyers of Distressed Companies Beware, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, June 2013, with Paul K. Ferdinands.

“Unfinished Business" after Geron and Coudert Brothers, Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review, September 11, 2012, with Mark M. Maloney.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., University of Chicago, with honors

B.A., University of Georgia, cum laude

Georgia

Law Clerk, Hon. E. Grady Jolly, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Recognized as Up-and-Coming for Bankruptcy/Restructuring


CHAMBERS USA 2020 GUIDE

Rising Star: Financial Restructuring


IFLR 1000 US, 2018 and 2020

Close

Recognition

Recognized as Up-and-Coming for Bankruptcy/Restructuring


CHAMBERS USA 2020 GUIDE

Rising Star: Financial Restructuring


IFLR 1000 US, 2018 and 2020

Matters

Served as Debtors' counsel to DCL Corporation, and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the District of Delaware.

Served as Debtors' counsel to The Krystal Company, and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Northern District of Georgia.

Representing Truist Bank (successor to SunTrust Bank) and SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing in SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing v. International Speedway Corporation (M.D. Fla.).

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Matters

Served as Debtors' counsel to DCL Corporation, and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the District of Delaware.

Served as Debtors' counsel to The Krystal Company, and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Northern District of Georgia.

Representing Truist Bank (successor to SunTrust Bank) and SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing in SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing v. International Speedway Corporation (M.D. Fla.).

Represented The Prudential Insurance Company of America, as senior secured noteholder, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of The Legal Coverage Group (E.D. Penn.).

Represented Citizens Bank, as secured lender, in connection with the pre-petition restructuring and Chapter 11 case of Schramm, Inc. (D. Del.), a manufacturer and supplier of branded land-based hydraulic drilling equipment.

Represented Citizens Bank, as administrative agent for senior secured lenders, in out-of-court restructuring of large mechanical design and manufacturing firm.

Representing SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing in connection with the Chapter 11 case of Dean Foods, America's larges milk producer.

Represented TD Bank, as LC Issuer and Lender, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (N.D. Cal.), the nation's largest utility.

Served as Debtors' counsel to Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc., and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Southern District of Texas.

Represented Ignite Restaurant Group in the successful out of court sale of its Macaroni Grill casual dining business.

Served as Debtor’s counsel to AstroTurf, LLC in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case and sale of its business.

Represented Medical Staffing Network Healthcare, LLC in the sale of its business.

Served as Debtors’ counsel to Cagle’s, Inc. and Cagle’s Farms, Inc. in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and sale of their businesses. King & Spalding was recognized in connection with the Cagle’s transaction, which was named 2013 National Transaction of the Year (Large Company Category) by the international Turnaround Management Association.

Served as Debtor’s counsel to MFM Industries, Inc. in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case (D. Del.) and sale of its business.

Served as Debtors’ counsel to Sea Island Company and its affiliates in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases (S.D. Ga.) and sale of their businesses.

Represented GE Capital as lender and debtor-in-possession lender in the Chapter 11 cases of Scovill Fasteners Inc. and its affiliates.

Represented GE Capital as lender in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Black Crow Media Company in the restructuring of several radio stations in the Middle District of Florida.

Matters

Served as Debtors' counsel to DCL Corporation, and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the District of Delaware.

Served as Debtors' counsel to The Krystal Company, and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Northern District of Georgia.

Representing Truist Bank (successor to SunTrust Bank) and SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing in SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing v. International Speedway Corporation (M.D. Fla.).

See more

Close

Matters

Served as Debtors' counsel to DCL Corporation, and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the District of Delaware.

Served as Debtors' counsel to The Krystal Company, and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Northern District of Georgia.

Representing Truist Bank (successor to SunTrust Bank) and SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing in SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing v. International Speedway Corporation (M.D. Fla.).

Represented The Prudential Insurance Company of America, as senior secured noteholder, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of The Legal Coverage Group (E.D. Penn.).

Represented Citizens Bank, as secured lender, in connection with the pre-petition restructuring and Chapter 11 case of Schramm, Inc. (D. Del.), a manufacturer and supplier of branded land-based hydraulic drilling equipment.

Represented Citizens Bank, as administrative agent for senior secured lenders, in out-of-court restructuring of large mechanical design and manufacturing firm.

Representing SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing in connection with the Chapter 11 case of Dean Foods, America's larges milk producer.

Represented TD Bank, as LC Issuer and Lender, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (N.D. Cal.), the nation's largest utility.

Served as Debtors' counsel to Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc., and its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Southern District of Texas.

Represented Ignite Restaurant Group in the successful out of court sale of its Macaroni Grill casual dining business.

Served as Debtor’s counsel to AstroTurf, LLC in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case and sale of its business.

Represented Medical Staffing Network Healthcare, LLC in the sale of its business.

Served as Debtors’ counsel to Cagle’s, Inc. and Cagle’s Farms, Inc. in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and sale of their businesses. King & Spalding was recognized in connection with the Cagle’s transaction, which was named 2013 National Transaction of the Year (Large Company Category) by the international Turnaround Management Association.

Served as Debtor’s counsel to MFM Industries, Inc. in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case (D. Del.) and sale of its business.

Served as Debtors’ counsel to Sea Island Company and its affiliates in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases (S.D. Ga.) and sale of their businesses.

Represented GE Capital as lender and debtor-in-possession lender in the Chapter 11 cases of Scovill Fasteners Inc. and its affiliates.

Represented GE Capital as lender in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Black Crow Media Company in the restructuring of several radio stations in the Middle District of Florida.

Credentials

J.D., University of Chicago, with honors

B.A., University of Georgia, cum laude

Georgia

Law Clerk, Hon. E. Grady Jolly, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Recognized as Up-and-Coming for Bankruptcy/Restructuring


CHAMBERS USA 2020 GUIDE

Rising Star: Financial Restructuring


IFLR 1000 US, 2018 and 2020

Close

Recognition

Recognized as Up-and-Coming for Bankruptcy/Restructuring


CHAMBERS USA 2020 GUIDE

Rising Star: Financial Restructuring


IFLR 1000 US, 2018 and 2020