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, with a particular focus on representing debtors and other key constituencies in chapter 11 proceedings.
Among Dan's recent representations, he served as counsel to M&G USA Corporation and eight affiliates in their chapter 11 cases, including the successful sale of the debtors' partially constructed polyethylene terephthalate plant with a deal value in excess of $1 billion. He also recently represented Georgia Power Company, on behalf of itself and the other owners of the Alvin W. Vogtle nuclear power plant, in connection the chapter 11 cases of contractor Westinghouse Electric Company and its affiliates. Previously, Dan played a leading role as debtors' counsel in the chapter 11 cases of Alpha Natural Resources, one of the country's largest coal companies, and in the successful prepackaged chapter 11 case of aftermarket automotive distributor, Transtar Holding Company. He 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. His articles have been published in the Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice, the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, and Pratts Journal of Bankruptcy Law, among other authorities.
Experience
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
- Georgia State University (J.D. magna cum laude 2007; Managing Editor, Georgia State University Law Review); University of Leeds, England (B.A. Hons. in French & Linguistics 1995)
- Georgia and solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
- Judicial intern to: the Honorable Marvin H. Shoob, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia (2006) and the Honorable John J. Goger, Fulton County Superior Court, Georgia (2005)
- French