Dewey & LeBoeuf, which shook the legal community when in May it became the largest law firm to collapse in U.S. history, has petitioned a bankruptcy court to retain Sitrick and Company, along with two restructuring firms and collection agency, through Chapter 11.
Sitrick handled crisis communications for the firm, which had 1,400 lawyers, as it teetered under the weight of a large debt load and onerous contracts earlier this year.
The law firm filed the application in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on June 15 to retain Sitrick for corporate communications counsel.
Sitrick has worked with D&L since March 19 and collected a $35K retainer. Its contract calls for hourly billings from $185 to $895.
A judge will consider the application on July 9.
D&L told the court Sitrick will be able to assist the firm in “protecting, retaining and developing the goodwill and confidence of a number of constituency groups and stakeholders during the wind down process.”
Services to be rendered include writing and distributing press releases, consulting on PR strategy, media relations and media monitoring in connection with the Chapter 11 case, and advising on communications programs for various constituents, including clients.
Michael Sitrick, in a court declaration, said the “cooperative participation” of groups like employees, clients, vendors and creditors will be necessary for the law firm to wind down its operations in bankruptcy.
D&L filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 28.