Chapter 9 and Municipal Financial Recovery (Act 47)
Bankruptcy & Restructuring
Strategic Guidance Through Municipal Financial Recovery and Restructuring
WH Burkley advises municipalities, public authorities, creditors, and other stakeholders navigating financial distress, recovery efforts, and public sector restructurings. With experience across Ohio and Pennsylvania, including matters involving Pennsylvania’s Act 47, we provide strategic, practical guidance in complex and highly visible situations.
Municipal distress presents unique legal, financial, operational, and political challenges. We work closely with clients to stabilize finances, address competing stakeholder interests, and support long-term sustainability.
Chapter 9 Municipal Bankruptcy
• Advising on eligibility, governance, and filing considerations
• Restructuring bonded debt and other municipal obligations
• Navigating labor agreements, pension liabilities, and retiree benefits
• Representing creditors, bondholders, and counterparties in municipal cases
• Developing and negotiating plans of adjustment
• Managing contested matters and related litigation
Pennsylvania Act 47 (Financially Distressed Municipalities)
• Advising municipalities during distress designation and recovery planning
• Counseling elected officials and administrators on governance and fiduciary responsibilities
• Structuring negotiated solutions with creditors, labor unions, and vendors
• Assisting with the implementation of recovery plans
• Coordinating Act 47 strategies with broader restructuring or financing initiatives
• Evaluating and preparing for potential transition to Chapter 9, where appropriate
Municipal Creditors and Stakeholders
We represent a diverse range of municipal stakeholders and leverage experience from multiple perspectives to navigate complex financial recovery matters, including:
• Bondholders and financial institutions
• Contract counterparties and vendors
• Labor organizations and pension stakeholders
• Developers and public-private partners
Integrated Capabilities
Our municipal restructuring practice is supported by attorneys across the firm, allowing us to address the full scope of issues involved in public sector recovery, including:
• Public finance
• Labor and employment
• Litigation and dispute resolution
• Tax and regulatory matters
• Real estate and development
Our Approach
- Align recovery and restructuring strategies with municipal priorities and stakeholder obligations
- Evaluate practical alternatives to improve financial stability and long-term sustainability
- Coordinate across legal, financial, operational, and governmental stakeholders
- Focus on balancing fiscal recovery with the preservation of essential public services
- Prioritize responsiveness, clear communication, and practical execution
Why WH Burkley
- Experience advising municipalities, public authorities, creditors, and stakeholders in complex financial recovery matters
- Practical guidance across Chapter 9 proceedings, Act 47 recoveries, and negotiated restructurings
- Understanding of the financial, operational, legal, and political considerations unique to municipal distress
- Ability to balance competing stakeholder interests while advancing long-term recovery objectives
- Integration with public finance, labor, litigation, tax, and real estate capabilitiese
Recognition
Best Law Firms | Cleveland
- Band 1 – Litigation – Bankruptcy
- Band 1 – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Band 1 – Banking and Finance Law
- Band 1 – Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Best Law Firms | Pittsburgh
- Band 1 – Litigation – Bankruptcy
- Band 1 – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Band 2 – Litigation – Commercial
Best Law Firms | US
- Band 2 – Banking and Finance Law
- Band 2 – Litigation – Bankruptcy
- Band 2 – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
*Certain recognitions displayed on this page were earned prior to the formation of WH Burkley LLP and may reflect the accomplishments of our legacy firms, Walter Haverfield LLP and Bernstein-Burkley, P.C.