Elyssa S. Kates

Counsel

New York
T +1.212.589.4227
F +1.212.589.4201

Overview

Elyssa Kates concentrates her practice in the areas of domestic and international corporate finance and financial restructuring. She has extensive experience in insolvency, including bankruptcy and receiverships, secured transactions and financing, multi-tranche loans, commercial litigation, financial fraud and debtors' and creditors' rights. She represents contract counterparties, creditors, debtors, trustees, asset purchasers, transferees and landlords/lessors in bankruptcy, district and state courts. Elyssa's practice spans such industries as financial services, real estate, retail, media, shipping and logistics, public relations, hospitality and healthcare.

Before joining the firm, Elyssa represented some of the largest national and international financial institutions, insurance companies, manufacturers, landlords and real property holders in commercial, bankruptcy, creditors' rights and banking litigation and mediations, including contract issues, asset purchases, injunctions, reclamation claims, avoidance actions, actions to withdraw references, rejection claims, bond offerings, loan restructuring, banking regulations and automatic stay issues.

Select Experience

  • Currently is involved in the investigation and litigation of issues on behalf of the Trustee for the Securities Investor Protection Act liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC.
  • Represents the Official Committee of Tort Claimants in the PG&E bankruptcy case, which is the largest privately owned utility in the U.S.
  • Represents the plan trustee of a mortgage lending firm on such issues as judgment collection, foreclosure and creditor representation in various bankruptcy cases.
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Experience

Specific Representations
  • Currently is involved in the investigation and litigation of issues on behalf of the Trustee for the Securities Investor Protection Act liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC.
  • Represents the Official Committee of Tort Claimants in the PG&E bankruptcy case, which is the largest privately owned utility in the U.S.
  • Represents the plan trustee of a mortgage lending firm on such issues as judgment collection, foreclosure and creditor representation in various bankruptcy cases.
  • Involved in the litigation of multiple issues on behalf of an e-commerce technology provider.
  • Represented a counterparty to an interest rate swap agreement with various financial service firm debtors.
  • Represented creditors and former clients of a former global law firm.
  • Represented a global transport and logistics company in an avoidance action brought on behalf of a pharmaceutical company.
  • Represented a wealth management firm as noninstitutional secured lenders of entities related to debtors of a privately-held qualified intermediary.
  • Represented medical care provider in a contract dispute.
  • Represented a vitamin and supplement supplier, a secured creditor of a major pharmaceutical company.
  • Represented an administrative creditor and landlord of an air conditioner manufacturer.
  • Represented transport and logistics companies, statutory secured creditors of various Las Vegas hotel and casino debtors.
  • Represented a statutory creditor in connection with a public improvement project.
Overview of Experience
  • Represented national and regional banks in claims involving lender liability, including issues arising under the Truth in Lending Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
  • Represented hard money lenders in claims involving loan documentation and securitization, including enforceability of guarantees.
  • Counseled commercial financers on matters relating to business lending including working capital and acquisition financing. Representation involved negotiating and litigating over matters concerning term loans, including balloon loans, revolving loans, letters of credit, forbearance, cross-collateralization, acceleration, foreclosure on collateral and collection.
  • Counseled banks and litigated claims involving negotiable instruments and Articles 3 and 4 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
  • Represented a mortgagee in connection with Alt-A and subprime loans and related bundling issues.
  • Counseled a mortgage lender on issues arising from data breaches.
  • Represented lenders in connection with regulatory issues, including areas of suspicious activity.
  • Represented an issuer in the preparation of placement documents.
  • Represented a broker-dealer in litigation stemming from a failed high-yield bond offering.

Recognitions and Memberships

News

News

Community

  • Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Federal Practice and Awards Committees: Co-Chair
  • American Bar Association, Anthony H. N. Schnelling Endowment Fund: Regional Co-Chair

Prior Positions

  • Law Clerk for the Honorable Rosemary Gambardella, former Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey and for the Honorable Ellen L. Koblitz, J.S.C.(Ret.), Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division (formerly P.J.F.P.)

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2005
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2002
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 2000
  • New Jersey, 2000
  • New York, 2001
  • Colorado, 2020

Education

  • J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, 2000
  • B.A., History, Ramapo College of New Jersey, 1996, cum laude

Blog

In The Blogs

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Blockchain Monitor
Financial Firms Integrate Crypto Offerings; Congressmen Address Bitcoin ETFs; NFT Boom Continues; Agencies Seek Crypto Oversight; Crypto Hacker Indicted
By Lauren Bass, Elyssa S. Kates, Keith R. Murphy, Robert A. Musiala Jr., Joanna F. Wasick
November 5, 2021
• Traditional Financial Firms Integrate Crypto Services, CBDC Reports Published • Congressmen Advocate for Bitcoin Spot ETFs, Australia Issues Crypto ETP Regs • Sports Franchises and Music Platforms Continue to Embrace NFTs • Government...
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