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ROBBIN L. ITKIN, PARTNER

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Robbin Itkin is a Partner and leader of Sklar Kirsh’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Department. Her experience restructuring billions of dollars of debt includes insolvency resolutions in chapter 11 cases and numerous restructurings outside the courtroom. As a mediator, Robbin uses her problem-solving strength to advise both healthy companies and those in distress, leading them to negotiate effectively with their own creditors and counterparties who are in fragile economic straits. Robbin’s excellence in complex matters has earned her recognition as a Chambers USA-ranked attorney in restructuring and a long-time fellow and 2023 International Committee Co-Chair of the honorary and prestigious American College of Bankruptcy.

Experienced at representing a range of parties in the bankruptcy process, Robbin has protected the claims and interests of debtors, creditors’, equity and bondholders’ committees, purchasers, trustees, and Ponzi scheme victims in corporate restructurings and bankruptcies. Her industry experience spans real estate, entertainment, sports, retail, transportation, manufacturing, and hospitality. Many of Robbin’s clients are high-profile individuals in entertainment, sports, and business. She discreetly guides them through out-of-court workouts and financial transactions, often advising at all stages of business growth and on early signs of distress.

Robbin has been involved in notable bankruptcy cases, including those involving Chrysler LLC, Lehman Brothers, the landmark Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, yoga guru Bikram Choudhury (where she serves as the Trustee for the entities Bikram Choudhury previously controlled), and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, she has represented leading talent in the Relativity Media and AOG Entertainment bankruptcy cases, among other matters.

Prior to joining Sklar Kirsh, Robbin was a partner with DLA Piper, and with Liner LLP where she served as chair of its Business Solutions and Financial Restructuring Group. She also led the West Coast business and financial restructuring team at Steptoe & Johnson LLP. Robbin received her undergraduate degree from University of California, Los Angeles, and her law degree from University of Southern California. She often speaks at leading bankruptcy events on topical issues, including women in the legal profession.

Super Lawyers has featured her since 2005 and has named her among Southern California’s Top 50 Women lawyers and Top 100 lawyers. She also is recognized by Best Lawyers in Southern California and Martindale Hubbell. Robbin was the recipient in 2013 of the Century City Bar Association’s “Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year” award and was featured on the inaugural list of LawDragon’s 2020 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers.  In 2021, the Los Angeles Business Journal honored Robbin among its Women of Influence – Attorneys. In 2021 and 2022, the Los Angeles Times’ “Business of Law” issue named Robbin a “Legal Visionary”.

Robbin uses her spare time to fly fish with her husband, a banking and finance lawyer, and to enjoy their two Labrador retrievers.

Robbin’s experience includes the following matters:

Exemplary Entertainment Matters

  • Rive Gauche Television and AfterShock Comics chapter 11 bankruptcy cases –  Counsel to official committees of unsecured creditors
  • AOG Entertainment, Inc./Core Media Group chapter 11 bankruptcy cases – Counsel to high-profile actors, producers, directors and writers in negotiating business transactions, distribution and production agreement resolutions, and protecting their claims
  • Relativity Fashion LLC (Relativity Media) and related entities – Counsel to high-profile actors, producers, directors and writers in negotiating business transactions and protecting their claims

Chapter 15 Matters

  • Counsel to domestic and international clients in various aspects of foreign ancillary proceedings under chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code

Representative Debtor and Fiduciary Matters

  • In re Bikram Choudhury Yoga Inc., Bikram’s Yoga College of India, LP, Bikram, Inc., Yuz, Inc. and International Trading Representative, LLC –  served as the appointed chapter 11 Trustee, and served as counsel to the chapter 7 Trustee
  • In re Zetta Jet USA, Inc. and Zetta Jet PTE, Ltd – Counsel to chapter 7 Trustee (and served as counsel to chapter 11 Trustee)
  • Solutia Inc. − Counsel to Solutia Inc. and its affiliates in their chapter 11 cases involving more than US$3 billion of funded debt and other obligations and complex liability issues, including environmental, mass tort, retiree, pension and indemnification issues
  • NRG − Counsel to over 29 related entities comprising one of the largest independent power generation companies in the world, both as debtors out of court and as debtors in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case, and successfully restructured over $11 billion in debt in seven months
  • Dividend Development Corp. − Counsel to one of the country’s largest home builders as debtor-in-possession. Confirmed plan of reorganization restructuring over US$300 million in liabilities, including US$55 million in unsecured claims
  • Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel − Counsel to this landmark hotel in Hollywood, California, in connection with its restructuring through Chapter 11 bankruptcy
  • Santa Barbara Star Motors, Inc., dba Gregg Motors, and Related Entities − Counsel to this automobile dealership as debtor-in-possession. Sold all assets, including multiple franchises, in controlled liquidation for the benefit of creditors
  • Pharmaceuticals distributor − Counsel to a wholesale distributor of pharmaceuticals in its out-of-court restructuring of over US$12 million in unsecured debt and US$20 million financing

Representative Committee Matters

  • Represented a court approved ad hoc committee of investors who were victims, along with other investors in different investment vehicles, of a Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Professional Financial Investors, Inc., and its 40 affiliated entities, all of whom became debtors in bankruptcy in the Northern District of California.  The firm received the 2022 Turnaround Transaction of the Year Award from the Turnaround Management Association for the work performed in the cases, recognizing the unique and collaborative approach to resolving the various competing interests in order to reduce litigation costs and maximize value for the benefit of the victims.
  • Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., dba Quantum Technologies – Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case
  • CTC Cable Corporation − Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of CTC Cable Corporation, which, with affiliated entities, manufactured and marketed innovative energy efficient and renewable energy products for the electrical utility industry
  • Pacific Energy Resources Ltd. − Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of Pacific Energy Resources Ltd., and certain of its affiliates, which engage in the acquisition, exploitation and development of oil and gas properties, primarily in the US
  • Store of Knowledge − Counsel to the committee of creditors in the bankruptcy case where the debtor operated a mall-based nationwide chain of 91 specialty retail stores in 26 states, offering educational and intellectually stimulating products geared toward interactive learning
  • Taxi Systems, Inc. − Counsel to the committee of unsecured creditors of this large taxi company in Southern California. General unsecured creditors included more than 400 personal injury claimants in addition to numerous trade creditors. Extensive negotiations resulted in a confirmed plan of reorganization providing for 100 percent payout on trade claims, with election offered to personal injury claimants either to continue to litigate their claims or to receive 100 percent of cash settlement amounts over time, such payments collateralized by assets of the debtor, the debtor’s parent and certain of the debtor’s principals
  • Babaeian Transportation Co., Inc., dba Checker Cab Company, dba Burbank Taxi, dba Pasadena Taxi, dba San Fernando Checker − Counsel to the committee of creditors of this taxi company possessing a fleet of taxi cabs in California’s San Fernando Valley. Caused appointment of a chapter 11 trustee to preserve the estate’s assets for sale; actively participated with the trustee who ultimately sold the assets and made distributions to unsecured creditors
  • Bell Brand Snack Foods, Inc. − Counsel to the committee of creditors of this snack food manufacturer and distributor. Negotiated a consensual plan of reorganization that provided for immediate 90 percent payout to general unsecured creditors before any payments on secured or unsecured debts owed to affiliates
  • C&L Properties − Counsel to the committee of creditors of the owner and operator of the fully encumbered commercial property known as the Continental Plaza in Southern California. Negotiated a consensual plan of reorganization in the extensively litigated case that provided for full payment plus interest within one year of confirmation to general unsecured creditors
  • Maguire Thomas Partners − Counsel to committees of creditors in extremely adversarial chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of the owner and operator of Gas Company Tower Building, a 52-story premier office building in downtown Los Angeles. As a result of the committee’s request for participation in mediation, settlement was reached and a plan of reorganization was confirmed that paid unsecured creditors in full plus 7% percent interest , while restructuring more than US$400 million in debt

Other Matters / Positions 

  • Certified Mediator: United States District Court, Central District of California (2014—present); United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California (1995—present)
  • 3507 JNA LLC, an affiliate of Sherwood Real Estate Partners, LLC – Counsel to 3507 JNA LLC in its acquisition of an airport hangar and related facilities within the Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Hawthorne, California as the stalking horse bidder. The property was purchased from the chapter 7  trustee in a bankruptcy proceeding in the Central District of California. SK handled all aspects related to the acquisition and expedited closing, including, without limitation, negotiation and resolution of claims of creditors related to the  acquired assets). The purchase price was $13,350,000.
  • Chrysler LLC − Counsel to one of the largest general unsecured trade creditors and member of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of Chrysler LLC and certain of its affiliates in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York; successfully obtained payment in full for the client through negotiations with purchaser of the debtors’ business operations
  • Lehman Brothers − Counsel to a fund that holds a credit linked note of several hundred million dollars issued as part of an integrated transaction with various US and foreign Lehman Brothers entities, as a creditor in the Lehman Brothers US and international insolvency proceedings
  • Cocopah Nurseries, Inc. − Counsel to a national bank in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of the largest grower and seller of palm trees in the country. Successfully negotiated the $78 million loan facility secured by farmland in Arizona and California
  • Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDC) − Counsel to MAEDC in representing its interests in the bankruptcy case of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation and its affiliates, with particular emphasis on Smurfit’s abrupt closure in early January 2010 of its paper mill in Missoula County, Montana
  • Ritter Ranch Development LLC − Appointed by the Office of the United States Trustee, and confirmed by the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court, as chapter 11 Trustee for the Estate of Ritter Ranch Development LLC and lead counsel in all aspects of the case involving Mello Roos Bond Financing; extensively litigated 363 sale proceedings and claims issues of principals and lenders; completed a 363 sale of the then largest available developable property in Los Angeles County (over 6,000 acres) for US$57.2 million after 75 rounds of bidding. Negotiated carveouts with secured creditors to satisfy administrative claims
  • State of California Ex. Rel. Department of Water Resources − Counsel to State of California Ex Rel. Department of Water Resources and handled all bankruptcy aspects regarding State of California in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of California Power Exchange, the operator of several types of markets for wholesale electricity who matched suppliers and purchasers of electricity
  • Estate of Thomas A. Hantges − Counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee for the Estate of Thomas A. Hantges, one of the former founding principals of USA Commercial Mortgage Company, a commercial loan underwriting, servicing and funding company whose principals were involved in an alleged fraud in the magnitude of over US$900 million – the largest bankruptcy filing to date in Nevada
  • Hartmarx Corporation − Counsel to the successful purchaser of substantially all of the assets of Hartmarx Corp. and certain of its affiliates, one of the largest manufacturers and marketers for men’s suits and sport coats in the United States, in bankruptcy proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Weld Wheels, Inc. − Counsel to American Racing, Inc., in its $24 million acquisition of the assets of Weld Wheels, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of premium aftermarket automobile, light truck, racing, and sport wheels to both domestic and international customers. Negotiated stalking horse bidder protections and purchase agreement, and advised client throughout sale process taking place through auction of assets in US Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Kansas. Successfully consummated client’s purchase as successful bidder
  • Aloha Airlines − Counsel to Japan Airlines (JAL) in the Aloha Airlines chapter 11 bankruptcy pending in Hawaii. JAL had service agreements with Aloha Airlines that were put at risk due to Aloha’s bankruptcy filing. The practice structured a successful result for JAL that allowed its contracts to remain fully intact with assignees whom JAL approved
  • In re Hyo Dong Kim – Appointed by the Office of the United States Trustee to serve as the chapter 11 Trustee and subsequently the chapter 7 Trustee
  • In re Jose Adolfo Montepeque and Maria Montepeque – Counsel to the chapter 7 Trustee
  • APP Winddown, LLC (f/k/a American Apparel, LLC) – Counsel to the landlord of the corporate headquarters and distribution center, member of Official Creditors’ Committee
  • RS Legacy Corporation fka RadioShack Corporation – Counsel to landlords
  • T-Asset Acquisition Company − Counsel to a secured lender in the bankruptcy case for the owner of the Terminator franchise pending in the Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California with respect to the debtors’ proposed sale of substantially all of the future Terminator sequel and remake rights
  • Syntax-Brillian Corp. − Counsel to Taiwan Kolin Co., Ltd., one of the largest manufacturers and sellers of electronic products in Taiwan, in connection with its asserted $270its chapter 11 cases pending in the Delaware bankruptcy court
  • Inspiris, Inc. – Counsel to Inspiris, Inc., as debtor-in-possession lender, stalking horse bidder and successful purchaser of substantially all of the assets of Care Level Management Group, LLC, a provider of in-home healthcare services for chronically ill and elderly patients, in a chapter 11 case pending in the Central District of California
  • Counsel to a landlord with respect to commercial shopping center leases involved in the Movie Gallery, Inc. and Big A Drugstores, Inc. chapter 11 bankruptcy cases filed in 2007
  • Counsel to high-profile individuals in the entertainment industry in out-of-court workouts and restructurings
  • Counsel to Sun Capital Partners in its acquisition of BMK, Inc. (debtor) through bankruptcy
  • Counsel to Sun Capital Partners in its acquisition of Wickes out of receivership
  • Counsel to American Healthcare Services, Inc. in its acquisition of Plastic Surgery Company
  • Counsel to CEO and President of Fredericks of Hollywood through the company’s chapter 11 bankruptcy
  • Counsel to Koo Koo Roo, Inc. in its acquisition of operating restaurants in Hamburger Hamlet Restaurant, Inc.’s chapter 11 case
  • Pacific EyeNet, Inc. − Counsel to Pacific EyeNet, Inc., A Medical Group, as a creditor in the chapter 11 (and subsequent chapter 7) bankruptcy case of its MSO

Publications

Sample Presentations & Seminars

  • Panelist, “The Benefits of Restructuring Support Agreements,” California Bankruptcy Forum, May 2023
  • Moderator and Panelist, “The “F” Word. From The False Claims Act to Ponzi Schemes – Practical Tips For Identifying and Efficiently Addressing Fraud in Bankruptcy Cases (And Beyond),” American Bankruptcy Institute, March 2023
  • Panelist, “Business Restructuring to Survive Covid-19 and Beyond,” USC Gould School of Law – LACBA Business Law Section Institute for Corporate Counsel, December 2020
  • Speaker, “Women in Bankruptcy & Restructuring Presents: What A Difference A Year Makes: A Review of 2019 Hot Button Topics in Bankruptcy & Restructuring,” November 21, 2019
  • Speaker, “Climbing the Peak of Appellate Victory: Best Practices before the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel,” California Bankruptcy Forum Insolvency Conference, May 18, 2018
  • Speaker, “Ethics in Bankruptcy: Recent Court decisions on Legal Ethics – You Should Be Aware…,” 25th Annual Southwest Bankruptcy Conference, American Bankruptcy Institute, September 9, 2017
  • Speaker, “Women in Insolvency: Inspirational Stories to Develop Your Own Path,” International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation, June 12, 2017
  • Panelist, “Powerful Partnerships: Pairs of Women Clients and Their Outside Counsel,” The New Girls’ Network, September 14, 2016

Professional Memberships

  • American College of Bankruptcy, Fellow (2004—present)
  • American College of Bankruptcy, International Committee Co-Chair (2023)
  • International Insolvency Institute, Board Member, 2021
  • International Insolvency Institute, Co-Chair, North American Region (US, Canada and Caribbean)
  • International Insolvency Institute, 2013—present
  • Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE), Board of Directors, Los Angeles Chapter
  • State Bar of California – Insolvency Law Committee of the Business Law Section (previous)
  • Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Lawyer Representatives Coordinating Committee – Chair (2009—2010)
  • Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Lawyer Representative Committee, Chair-elect (2008)
  • Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Lawyer Representative Coordinating Committee, Vice chair, former co-chair of Central District of California Lawyer Representatives, 2006—2008
  • Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum
    • Board Member, 1995—present
    • President 2001—2002
    • Vice President, 2000—2001
    • Program Chair, 1999—2000
    • Secretary, 1998—1999
  • Century City Chamber of Commerce, Board Member – 2007—2010, 2012—present
  • Los Angeles Women’s Leadership Council, Board member 2007—present
  • City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Director Emeritus 2007—present; board member, 1997—2007

Recognitions

  • L.A. Times B2B Publishing Business of Law: Trends, Updates & Visionaries  – “Legal Visionary” (2021 – 2023)
  • Los Angeles Business Journal – Business Women Attorneys of Influence (2021, 2023)
  • Los Angeles Daily Journal – Top Bankruptcy Lawyers 2022
  • Best Lawyers (2022 – 2023)
  • Los Angeles Business Journal – Women’s Leadership Award Nominee (2022)
  • Los Angeles Business Journal Women’s Leadership Awards – “Champion of Women” Award Nominee (2021)
  • The Best Lawyers in America©
    • Women in the Law (2021)
    • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    • Litigation: Bankruptcy
  • LawDragon’s – Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers (2020, 2022, 2023)
  • Chambers USA, California Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2020-2023)
  • Los Angeles Magazine – Top 50 Women Attorneys In Southern California
  • Los Angeles Magazine Super Lawyers – Top 100 Lawyers in Southern California
  • Best Lawyers in Southern California, The Wall Street Journal
  • The American Registry – Top Women Attorneys in Southern California
  • Super Lawyers – Top List Achievement
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Status as a Top Rated Lawyer
  • Century City Bar Association – Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year
  • The Legal 500 United States, Finance: Corporate Restructuring (including bankruptcy)
  • Southern California Super Lawyers – Top 50 Women
  • Southern California Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
  • The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California has recognized Robbin with several mediation awards, including:
    • Mediator who settled the mediation conference with the most parties in the 2011 – 2012 term
    • Mediator who conducted the longest mediation conference in the 2011 – 2012 term
    • Mediator who conducted the conference involving the largest amount of money in the 2011-2012 term
  • Top Lawyers – Corporate Counsel
  • Century City Chamber of Commerce – Women of Achievement Award
  • B’nai Zion Foundation – Women of Accomplishment Award
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