Alexandria, Va.— ABI announces that Thomas Kessler of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (New York) has been selected as one of ABI’s “40 Under 40,” ABI’s award program that recognizes 40 of the top insolvency industry professionals under the age of 40. The honorees will be recognized at a special ceremony on Dec. 13 during ABI’s 2024 Winter Leadership Conference at The Phoenician Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Kessler is a partner at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, LLP in New York, where he represents debtors, creditors and other parties-in-interest in a broad range of restructuring matters, including bankruptcy proceedings, out-of-court restructurings and bankruptcy-related transactions. He leads teams on a number of bankruptcy matters, including under chapters 11 and 15, as well as several out-of-court matters. Kessler’s practice spans a variety of industries and geographies, with a particular focus on cross-border matters, including acting as U.S. counsel in foreign restructurings and lead counsel in chapter 15 proceedings.

Kessler is a member of the International Insolvency Institute’s NextGen program, and he was named Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer in 2023 by Turnarounds & Workouts. In addition, he was named one of Lawdragon 500’s Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers for 2024. He also has authored more than a dozen articles and has spoken on and/or chaired panels for ABI, INSOL and GRR.

Kessler’s pro bono work has focused on representing immigrants and pursuing LGBTQ+ rights (which has included a three-week jury trial against a conversion therapy outfit, representing asylum-seekers, and an amicus brief at the Tenth Circuit). He also has a role as the staffing partner for his group at his firm, where he focuses on balancing associates’ workloads to make sure they have a healthy mix of assignments. Outside of the office, Kessler served on the board of a Brooklyn-based theater company, which launched an initiative to produce historically overlooked classical plays, principally those written by women and playwrights of color. Similarly, as a member of the board of directors and the co-chair for membership of WorkOUT, he enjoys helping to further diversify the legal profession and lead the next generation of LGBTQ+ professionals into the insolvency field.

“We are honored to celebrate the exceptional leaders within the 2024 class as they continue to make a significant impact both in their practice and in their communities,” said ABI Executive Director Amy Quackenboss. “As bankruptcy practice continues to evolve, this diverse collection of honorees will propel ABI and the insolvency community forward.”

The “40 Under 40” winners are distinguished by professional achievements and service and were selected by a group of experienced professionals from ABI’s current leadership. Now in its eighth year, the goal of ABI’s “40 Under 40” award program is not simply to create a one-time ceremony, but to fully engage those selected as future leaders in the insolvency profession and to build on the initiative each year.

Click here to view the full list of the 2024 “40 Under 40” honorees.

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ABI is the largest multi-disciplinary, nonpartisan organization dedicated to research and education on matters related to insolvency. ABI was founded in 1982 to provide Congress and the public with unbiased analysis of bankruptcy issues. The ABI membership includes nearly 10,000 attorneys, accountants, bankers, judges, professors, lenders, turnaround specialists and other bankruptcy professionals, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information. For additional information on ABI, visit www.abi.org. For additional conference information, visit http://www.abi.org/calendar-of-events.