Jack Murray recently joined the firm as an associate in the Banking, Finance, & Lending Department. His practice focuses on bankruptcy and insolvency issues, as well as other corporate matters.
Why did you become a lawyer?
Growing up, I noticed that, for better or for worse, lawyers were always involved in most of the important issues in our society and some of the important events in life.
Tell us about your career path.
When I started law school, I thought I would become a district attorney. During law school, my first internship was with a judge on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, drafting bench memoranda for appellate cases. After my 4th consecutive drug trafficking case, I asked for another assignment and was handed my first bankruptcy appeal. Improbably as it may sound, I was hooked. I found the bankruptcy system and the ability to restructure entire companies completely fascinating. I subsequently interned with a Bankruptcy Judge and the U.S. Trustee’s Office, and after graduation, I clerked for a Bankruptcy Judge. Diving into private practice, I worked at Kirkland & Ellis in New York, doing mega-Chapter 11 debtor side work, and then at Ropes & Gray in Boston, doing high-level creditor representation. For the past four years I was at Nixon Peabody, doing a mix of mid-market debtor and creditor work, as well as non-distressed M&A.
Tell us about your practice.
My bankruptcy and insolvency practice is broad and diverse. I have represented nearly every constituency in bankruptcy cases, from debtors to creditors to bidders and purchasers of distressed assets. I have represented clients in multi-billion dollar retail Chapter 11 cases, reorganizations of regional hospitals, and corporate wind-downs in Chapter 7. Unlike many of my contemporaries at large law firms, I have extensive experience litigating consumer Chapter 7 and 13 cases.
Outside of bankruptcy, I also represent clients in a range of distressed and other insolvency situations, including Article 9 Sales, foreclosures, out-of-court workouts, and receiverships.
In addition to my insolvency practice, I represent clients in healthy, non-distressed strategic transactions and acquisitions.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
As a bankruptcy and insolvency specialist, I work with clients in various fields, so the work is never repetitive, and I learn about different industries. But the toolbox is not one-size-fits-all–distressed situations require creative thinking. Sometimes, that may mean filing for bankruptcy relief, and sometimes, another out-of-court strategy is the right solution.
Why did you choose the firm?
I was attracted to Ruberto, Israel & Weiner’s reputation in the Boston legal community and the firm’s collegial culture. I worked opposite the firm’s bankruptcy team on a contentious insolvency issue and was impressed with how they handled a delicate issue with passionate clients on both sides.
Tell us a fun or surprising fact about you.
I’ve lived or worked in every state between Washington, DC, and Boston, Massachusetts.
What do you do in your free time?
When I’m not chasing my toddler around or hiking with my wife and son up in Maine, I’m a passable squash player.
