Daniel J.Merrett (Dan)

Partner

Atlanta + 1.404.581.8476

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Dan Merrett has substantial experience representing clients in some of the most significant corporate and municipal restructurings in recent years. He represents companies across a variety of industries, municipalities, secured lenders, unsecured creditors, potential purchasers, and other significant constituencies in distressed situations. In the course of these representations, Dan regularly assists clients navigating all manner of transactions, disputes, and other business activities, including issues relating to acquisitions and divestitures, credit facilities, securities, environmental obligations, suppliers, vendors, contractors, customers, employees, labor, taxation, corporate governance, and executive compensation.

Among Dan's latest representations, he served as counsel to a subsidiary of Adecco Group in its acquisition of Hired, Inc. and OmniMax International in connection with its acquisition. Dan also recently represented owners of several significant projects in connection with contractor bankruptcies, including the owner of a $7 billion LNG liquefaction project in Louisiana, and Georgia Power and the other owners of the Alvin W. Vogtle nuclear power plant. Dan's chapter 11 debtor representations include leading roles in the cases of PET producer M&G Chemical; Alpha Natural Resources, one of the country's largest coal companies; and aftermarket automotive distributor, Transtar. Dan was also an important member of the restructuring teams in the historic bankruptcies of the City of Detroit and Chrysler.

Dan has written and presented extensively on bankruptcy topics. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and is recognized in the field of restructuring by Chambers USA.

Experience

  • Flowers Foods acquires Koffee Kup BakeryJones Day advised Flower Foods, Inc. in the acquisition of Koffee Kup Bakery, Inc.
  • Transtar Holding Company sold to Blue Point Capital PartnersJones Day advised Transtar Holding Company, a portfolio of industry-leading automotive aftermarket and original equipment businesses with a focus on high-quality products and unmatched customer service, in the sale of majority ownership to Blue Point Capital Partners.
  • Vettery acquired Hired, Inc.Jones Day advised Vettery, Inc., a subsidiary of Adecco Group, in the acquisition of Hired, Inc., the leading marketplace for technology talent.
  • OmniMax sells company to SVPGlobalJones Day advised OmniMax International, Inc., the leading national manufacturer of residential roof drainage systems and a top supplier of products for outdoor living, recreational vehicle, and other building end markets, in its acquisition by Strategic Value Partners, LLC and its affiliates ("SVPGlobal").
  • OmniMax to sell Euramax Coated Products to ParcomJones Day is advising OmniMax International, Inc. in the sale of its Euramax Coated Products Business, a provider of aluminum coil coating services to the architectural products, recreational vehicles, and transportation markets, to Parcom Capital.
  • Exide Technologies completes $1.1 billion comprehensive new financing and recapitalizationJones Day represented Exide Technologies, a global leader in stored energy solutions for the automotive and industrial markets, in connection with a comprehensive new financing and recapitalization transaction.
  • M&G debtors confirm chapter 11 plan of liquidation and close sale of Corpus Christi plant for $1 billionOn December 17, 2018, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware entered an order confirming the Third Amended Plan of Liquidation (the "Plan") of Jones Day client M&G USA Corporation and eight of its affiliates (the "M&G Debtors"), which prior to the chapter 11 filing, were, along with their affiliates in Mexico, Brazil and Europe, one of the largest producers of polyethylene terephthalate resin – used for packaging applications – in the world. On December 28, 2018, after receiving antitrust approval, the M&G Debtors closed the sale of their partially constructed manufacturing facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, (the "Corpus Christi Plant") with a deal value in excess of $1 billion.
  • Smith & Nephew acquires Rotation Medical Inc. for up to $210 millionJones Day advised Smith & Nephew plc in its acquisition of Rotation Medical Inc., a developer of a novel tissue regeneration technology for shoulder rotator cuff repair, for an initial cash consideration of $125 million and up to $85 million over the next five years, contingent on financial performance.
  • Alpha Natural Resources plan confirmed by U.S. Bankruptcy CourtOn July 12, 2016, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia entered an order confirming the Second Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. and 148 of its debtor affiliates, less than one year after Alpha, one of the largest coal companies in the United States, entered chapter 11 with liabilities of approximately $7.1 billion amidst the most challenging economic environment for coal producers in decades.
  • Alpha Natural Resources plan goes effective; Sale of certain assets to Contura Energy Inc. closesJones Day represented Alpha Natural Resources Inc., which emerged from bankruptcy on July 26, 2016, less than one year after the commencement of its chapter 11 cases.
  • Alpha Natural Resources sells Pennsylvania Land ResourcesJones Day assisted Alpha Natural Resources in the $339.5 million sale of certain oil and natural gas assets in Southwest Pennsylvania to Vantage Energy Appalachia II, LLC in connection with Alpha's chapter 11 cases.
  • Birch acquires Primus Telecommunications assets in CanadaJones Day advised Birch Communications, Inc. in its acquisition of select assets and customers of Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. and its affiliates.
  • SP Fiber acquired by WestRock for $288.5 millionJones Day advised SP Fiber Holdings, Inc. in the sale of the company, a producer of recycled containerboard and kraft and bag paper with mills located in Dublin, Georgia, and Newberg, Oregon, to WestRock Company for $288.5 million.
  • Alpha Natural Resources closes $692 million DIP financing packageJones Day represented Alpha Natural Resources Inc. ("ANR"), a large diversified coal supplier, and substantially all of its subsidiaries in connection with their $692 million debtor-in-possession superpriority secured financing arrangement.
  • AFA Foods retains Jones Day in chapter 11 casesJones Day represents AFA Foods, Inc. and eight affiliated entities ("AFA") in their chapter 11 cases, which were filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
  • City of Detroit's chapter 9 plan of adjustment confirmedJones Day served as lead restructuring counsel to the City of Detroit in connection with its chapter 9 bankruptcy case filed in July 2013 and its ongoing restructuring efforts.
  • City of Detroit obtains $120 million post-petition bond financing in chapter 9 proceedingsJones Day represented the City of Detroit in connection with a $120 million post-petition bond financing in the City's on-going chapter 9 bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Jefferson County, Alabama files largest municipal bankruptcyJones Day represents National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation ("National") with respect to the enforcement and protection of National's rights and remedies in connection with the November 2011 chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy filing by Jefferson County, Alabama.
  • Chrysler sold to Fiat-led "New Chrysler" after historic court proceedingsAfter a historic battle all the way to the United States Supreme Court, Chrysler LLC sold substantially all of its assets to Fiat-led "New Chrysler" (Chrysler Group LLC) on June 10, 2009, providing the opportunity for its iconic brands and U.S. operations to survive.
  • Georgia Gulf completes successful debt-for-equity exchangeJones Day represented Georgia Gulf Corporation in its successful exchange of 92% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $736 million owing in respect of three series Senior Notes.
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    September 2021 Newsletters

    "Work-for-Hire" Film Production Agreement Not Executory Contract in Bankruptcy Due to Lack of Mutual Continuing Material Obligations

    September 2021 Newsletters

    Business Restructuring Review | Vol. 20 No. 5 | September–October 2021

    July 2021 Newsletters

    Setoffs Under Shari'a-Compliant Investment Contracts Not Safe Harbored in Bankruptcy

    July 2021 Newsletters

    Business Restructuring Review | July-August 2021

    May 2021 Newsletters

    Business Restructuring Review | May–June 2021

    May 2021 Newsletters

    Debate Intensifies on Substantial Contribution Claims in Chapter 7 Cases

    March 2021 Newsletters

    Business Restructuring Review | March–April 2021

    March 2021 Newsletters

    Tenant's Election to Retain Possession of Rejected Lease Premises Preserves Obligations Under Related Agreements

    February 2021 Commentaries

    Another Court Adopts Majority View in Approving Bankruptcy Trustee's Use of Tax Code Look-Back Period in Avoidance Actions

    February 2021 Newsletters

    Business Restructuring Review | January–February 2021
    View All

    Additional Publications

    • December 2016
      Taking Stock: United States Supreme Court Presented With Opportunity to Settle Meaning of Section 546(e), Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice, 25 No. 6 J. Bankr. L. & Prac. NL Art. 1 (December 2016)
    • May 2012
      Safe Harbor Supernova: Is Section 546(e)'s Stellar Protection of Private LBO Transactions About to Burn Out?, Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice, 21 J. Bankr. L. & Prac. 3 Art. 1 (May 2012)

    Speaking Engagements

    • September 30, 2020
      Key Bankruptcy Issues for Benefits Lawyers; ABA Tax Section Fall Meeting
    • January 13, 2017
      Sherlock Holmes and Ethical Rules Addressing Discrimination: A Cinematic Journey, Jones Day CLE Academy
    • April 23, 2015
      The Decline and Rebirth of Detroit
    • 1/24/2012
      Urban Fellows of Georgia State University and Georgia Institute of Technology

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