Orrick Partners Named to Top Municipal Lawyers List for Second Consecutive Year

Orrick public finance partner John Knox and restructuring partner Marc Levinson were once again named to the Daily Journal's Top 25 Municipal Lawyers list, which recognizes lawyers who have excelled in the practice of municipal and public law in the State of California.

The two partners, who have been advising struggling cities in California for the past several years on how to work through financial difficulties, were highlighted for their work on behalf of the City of Stockton. In its first month, the Stockton chapter 9 case generated two published opinions on cutting edge issues – one relating to the new California mediation law and the other addressing the statutory and constitutional limits of the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court in chapter 9 cases.

In the Stockton case, Mr. Knox is focusing on the public financing side, involving creditors, banks and the restructuring of the debt. Mr. Levinson served as the lead insolvency lawyer for the City in the California-mandated mediation process, and is serving as the lead bankruptcy lawyer in the chapter 9 case.  While all nine of the City’s unions have agreed to new collective bargaining agreements, Mr. Levinson is still dealing with the bond creditors, as well as with others who have judgments against the City.

Last year, both Mr. Knox and Mr. Levinson were acknowledged for their work in representing the City of Vallejo in its bankruptcy case. Stockton, with a population of just fewer than 300,000, has since eclipsed Vallejo as the largest city to ever file for bankruptcy relief.