Roy
Leaf

"My passion is helping others. The challenge of finding solutions to people’s most complex problems motivates me every day."

The ability to help shape the world and to solve clients’ problems is the foundation of Roy Leaf’s law practice.

In his bankruptcy and creditor rights practice, Roy represents a broad array of clients in restructuring matters. His work starts often before a bankruptcy filing and continues through to collection of a judgment or claim. In his restructuring practice, Roy works through the diverse overlap between federal and state laws that underlie many matters. He also considers the far-reaching transactional, tax, and litigation issues involved. “So many areas of law intersect in bankruptcy,” he says. “And there’s often conflict among these areas of law. These conflicts provide opportunities to craft creative arguments and solutions for clients.”

Attentive and driven, Roy works to get the best result for his client. “I want to make sure that what we’re doing is right,” he says. “I make sure it’s not only legally founded, but it’s also going to achieve the best result possible.”

In addition to his bankruptcy practice, pro bono work is an integral part of Roy’s career. “In pro bono cases, you’re working with clients who often need help the most but are least able to access it,” he says. Roy’s pro bono representations have included defending low-income residential tenants fighting unlawful evictions, leading research projects for the University of Iowa College of Law Legal Clinic, and representing Illinois prison inmates bringing civil rights claims as a result of unconstitutional prison healthcare practices.

“My passion is helping others,” he says. “The challenge of finding solutions to people’s most complex problems motivates me every day.”

Advised Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. and related affiliates, a pharmaceutical company focused on antibiotic medications, in its chapter 11 proceedings in Delaware.

Advised Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its affiliate, a pharmaceutical company which produced novel gastrointestinal therapies, in its chapter 11 proceeding and section 363 sale in the Southern District of New York.

Advised EMAS CHIYODA Subsea Ltd., an international subsea construction company in its Chapter 11 restructuring of almost $1 billion in liabilities in the Southern District of Texas.

Advised Key Safety Systems, Inc. (“KSS”) as to its $1.6 billion cross-border acquisition of a substantial portion of Takata Corp.’s global assets pursuant to a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization and successfully achieved a channeling injunction for KSS’s benefit to shield it from potential tort claims (following the transaction, KSS emerged as the world’s second-largest airbag manufacturer).

Advised members of a board of directors on collateral consequences of the company’s Chapter 11 filing in relation to lawsuits against the directors stemming from unlawful conduct by the company’s founder.

Drafted pre-packaged Chapter 11 materials for vote solicitation in a pharmaceutical company’s successful Canadian and U.S. restructuring plan.

Advised Skadden non-restructuring professionals on retention and fee matters related to a client’s Chapter 11 filing in the Southern District of Texas.

Represented multiple prison inmates in their federal § 1983 claims related to high-risk prostate cancer and patella tendon ruptures against Illinois’ for-profit correctional healthcare provider.

Successfully defended tenants in eviction proceedings on behalf of Lawyers Committee for Better Housing (“LCBH”). For example, secured more than $3,000 for a client and $15,000 in attorneys’ fees for the organization in a retaliatory eviction proceeding.

For legal clinics, gave presentations to Archer Daniels Midland (“ADM”) in-house counsel and staff. Legal clinics involved Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Lawyers Committee for Better Housing; and ADM.

Successfully secured Social Security disability benefits for claimant following hearing before an administrative law judge.

Guided client through a low-income home purchase program.

Achieved settlement resulting in the cancellation of an expulsion hearing for a high school student.

Served on Immigration Impact Project leadership team at Skadden.

Represented detained undocumented immigrants at Immigration Court bond hearings and secured release from detention.

Partnered with faculty of the University of Iowa Immigration Clinic and guided Skadden associates with respect to researching and drafting memoranda on the constitutionality of recently enacted Iowa statute.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2024-2025

Great Plains Super Lawyers
Rising Stars, 2024

Order of the Coif

Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in Property

Iowa Law Review

Senior Online Editor

Military and National Security Law Society

President

Turnaround Management Association

Johnson County Pheasants Forever

OVERVIEW

The ability to help shape the world and to solve clients’ problems is the foundation of Roy Leaf’s law practice.

In his bankruptcy and creditor rights practice, Roy represents a broad array of clients in restructuring matters. His work starts often before a bankruptcy filing and continues through to collection of a judgment or claim. In his restructuring practice, Roy works through the diverse overlap between federal and state laws that underlie many matters. He also considers the far-reaching transactional, tax, and litigation issues involved. “So many areas of law intersect in bankruptcy,” he says. “And there’s often conflict among these areas of law. These conflicts provide opportunities to craft creative arguments and solutions for clients.”

Attentive and driven, Roy works to get the best result for his client. “I want to make sure that what we’re doing is right,” he says. “I make sure it’s not only legally founded, but it’s also going to achieve the best result possible.”

In addition to his bankruptcy practice, pro bono work is an integral part of Roy’s career. “In pro bono cases, you’re working with clients who often need help the most but are least able to access it,” he says. Roy’s pro bono representations have included defending low-income residential tenants fighting unlawful evictions, leading research projects for the University of Iowa College of Law Legal Clinic, and representing Illinois prison inmates bringing civil rights claims as a result of unconstitutional prison healthcare practices.

“My passion is helping others,” he says. “The challenge of finding solutions to people’s most complex problems motivates me every day.”

REPRESENTATIVE TRANSACTIONS

Advised Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. and related affiliates, a pharmaceutical company focused on antibiotic medications, in its chapter 11 proceedings in Delaware.

Advised Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its affiliate, a pharmaceutical company which produced novel gastrointestinal therapies, in its chapter 11 proceeding and section 363 sale in the Southern District of New York.

Advised EMAS CHIYODA Subsea Ltd., an international subsea construction company in its Chapter 11 restructuring of almost $1 billion in liabilities in the Southern District of Texas.

Advised Key Safety Systems, Inc. (“KSS”) as to its $1.6 billion cross-border acquisition of a substantial portion of Takata Corp.’s global assets pursuant to a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization and successfully achieved a channeling injunction for KSS’s benefit to shield it from potential tort claims (following the transaction, KSS emerged as the world’s second-largest airbag manufacturer).

Advised members of a board of directors on collateral consequences of the company’s Chapter 11 filing in relation to lawsuits against the directors stemming from unlawful conduct by the company’s founder.

Drafted pre-packaged Chapter 11 materials for vote solicitation in a pharmaceutical company’s successful Canadian and U.S. restructuring plan.

Advised Skadden non-restructuring professionals on retention and fee matters related to a client’s Chapter 11 filing in the Southern District of Texas.

PRO BONO PRACTICE