Blake Cleary continues to act on impressive Chapter 11 cases. His expertise on restructuring matters is highly sought after by distressed companies and is complemented by his broader experience in creditor-side mandates. "Blake is a great advocate and a very effective lawyer. He excels at helping clients with strategic decisions in bankruptcy and is a consummate team player." "He always finds a path out of the trickiest of situations - he works tirelessly to find creative solutions." "He is incredibly impressive in litigation and in his strategy."
– Extracts from the most recent edition of Chambers USA
M. Blake Cleary is the co-head of Potter Anderson's bankruptcy team. He is one of the elite of the Delaware bankruptcy bar and brings to each assignment a level of earned respect among the judges and fellow practitioners from the moment he gets involved. Whether representing debtors or creditors, Blake approaches the Chapter 11 process as a search for the best possible outcome. Favoring honest communication over hardened positioning, Blake sees litigation as a last resort, recognizing that litigation frequently erodes value or unduly damages one of the parties. Accordingly, he looks for the creative solution that moves beyond the simplistic notion that a bankruptcy must produce a binary “yes or no” result, to one that provides real value enhancement.
Education
Widener University Delaware Law School, J.D.
University of Virginia, B.A.
Bar & Court Admissions
- Delaware
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Professional Activities and Honors
The Deal, named as a "Top Bankruptcy Lawyer," 2009-Present
The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law, 2013 - Present
Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2014 - Present
American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
American Bar Association, Member
Delaware State Bar Association, Member
Delaware Bankruptcy American Inn of Court, Member
Turnaround Management Association, Member
Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors, Member