Professional Bio:

Debra Grassgreen, immediate past president of the International Insolvency Institute, is a senior partner in Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones’ San Francisco office and chairs the firm’s international insolvency practice. She has significant experience representing debtors, trustees, and creditors’ committees in large and complex chapter 11 cases nationwide and internationally in the technology, media, telecommunications, and life sciences industries both in and out of court. Some of her more notable engagements include representing solar power manufacturer Solyndra, American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Mesa Airlines, and the creditors (including abuse survivors) in the Weinstein Company chapter 11 case. In addition, Ms. Grassgreen has represented high profile individuals, including boxer Mike Tyson and singer Toni Braxton, among others.

Ms. Grassgreen, an American College of Bankruptcy Fellow, has held a variety of leadership positions in prestigious insolvency organizations including the International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation and the American College of Bankruptcy, chairing its Insolvency Committee and, currently, is its 9th Circuit Regent. For the past ten years, she has participated in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law’s Working Group V and its expert group meetings as an NGO delegate. She is widely regarded as a leading expert on cross border restructuring matters and frequently speaks and writes on cross border matters and others.

Ms. Grassgreen has garnered several accolades for her work in the insolvency arena. Last year, the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal named Ms. Grassgreen to its list of "Top Bankruptcy Lawyers" in California and, for several years, has listed Ms. Grassgreen as one of its “Top Women Lawyers.” In 2021, the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation selected her as its 2021 “Woman of the Year in Restructuring.” She holds Chambers USA’s highest rank (Band 1) in Bankruptcy/Restructuring and Martindale-Hubbell’s highest recognition for ethical standards and legal ability (AV Preeminent). She is listed in Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders—Global Elite; Lawdragon as one of its 2023 and 2022 “500 Leading U.S.  Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers” and one of its 2020 “500 Leading Global Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers;” and in “Best Lawyers in America” (every year since 2001) for her work in both Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy.

Ms. Grassgreen is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she also received her J.D., and is admitted to practice in Florida as well as California.