Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, a national law firm with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Miami, announced that Frank A. Merola has joined the Financial Restructuring Practice Group as a Partner in the Los Angeles office, effective immediately.

Mr. Merola comes to Stroock from investment banking firm Jefferies & Company, where he was a Managing Director in the Recapitalization and Reorganization Group. His recent representations included the Trustees of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust; the Debtors in ATP Oil & Gas, Crusader Energy and Insight Health; the Official Committees of Unsecured Creditors in Tronox, Inc., Herbst Gaming, Innkeepers USA Trust and MSR Resorts Golf Course LLC; and significant creditor groups in Gateway Casinos and Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

Prior to Jefferies, Mr. Merola was an attorney with the Los Angeles boutique of Stutman, Treister & Glatt, P.C. for over 20 years. As a restructuring lawyer, he has experience advising debtors, creditors, acquirers and equity holders in both Chapter 11 and out-of-court restructurings across a range of industries. Among other areas, Mr. Merola is known for his work in the real estate, gaming and leisure space and has had major roles in the casino restructurings of Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Trump Hotel & Casino Resorts, Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Gateway Casinos, Herbst Gaming, Sands Atlantic City, Resort at Summerlin, Gold River Hotel & Casino, and Arizona Charlie’s.

“Frank is a true talent in the restructuring community and is a wonderful addition to our west coast practice,” said Kristopher M. Hansen, partner and co-chair of Stroock’s Financial Restructuring Practice Group. “His work within the real estate, gaming and leisure industries complements our outstanding restructuring and real estate practices” he added. Stroock’s co-Managing Partner Stuart Coleman noted that “Frank’s depth of experience and multitude of relationships make him a true asset for Stroock.”

“I am excited to return to the practice of law at a national firm with such an accomplished restructuring team,” said Mr. Merola.

Mr. Merola has been repeatedly listed in Super Lawyers in the area of Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights, as well as in Best Lawyers in America. In 2007, he was co-recipient of the Large Company Transaction of the Year Award from the Turnaround Management Association following his work with USA Capital First Trust Deed Fund. Mr. Merola received his undergraduate degree in business administration from Georgetown University and a J.D. from University of California at Los Angeles School of Law.

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