My Chi To is a partner at Debevoise and a member of the firm's Bankruptcy & Restructuring Group. She has experience representing debtors, creditors and investors in complex restructurings, bankruptcies and acquisitions of troubled companies. Ms. To advises a wide range of clients in connection with second-lien, mezzanine and real estate financings and restructurings.
Ranked as an up-and-coming lawyer in Chambers USA (2010), clients describe Ms. To as "extremely thoughtful and personable." She has also written articles on many bankruptcy-related topics. Her recent publications include: "Acheter une entreprise en difficultés aux Etats-Unis: les attraits de l'article 363 du Bankruptcy Code, à l'aune du plan de cession français," Revue Trimestrielle de Droit Financier (2009), "Anticipating the Downturn," Mergers & Acquisitions (2008), "Distressed Deals: Section 363 M&A: How to Play the Game," The Deal (2007), "Second-Lien Financings in Bankruptcy: Expectations vs. Reality," The Review of Banking & Financial Services (2007) and "Debt Recharacterization Looks Back on a Good Year," American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (2007). Ms. To is a major contributor to the Collier Business Workout Guide (Matthew Bender, 2005).
Ms. To also frequently speaks on intercreditor issues relating to complex financing structures as well as other bankruptcy-related topics. Her recent speaking engagements include: "Anticipating, Minimizing and Resolving Intercreditor Conflicts," American Conference Institute's 2nd National Forum on Commercial Loans (2010), "CMBS Issues - Securitization and Real Estate," 12th Annual American Bankruptcy Institute's New York City Conference (2010), "Recent Issues and Trends in Real Estate Restructurings," 11th Annual American Bankruptcy Institute's New York City Conference (2009), "Sibling Rivalry: Intra- and Inter-Creditor Disputes," 82nd Annual National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (2008), "Lessons from Recent Case Law: Calpine," ACIC Spring Forum (2008), "Section 363 Sales in the Next Downturn," The Distressed Debt Conference (2008), "Impact of Second Liens on Workouts and Bankruptcies," American Conference Institute's Forum on Commercial Loans (2008) and "Capitalizing on New Opportunities in Second Lien Lending and Maximizing your Returns," 6th Annual Distressed Investing Forum (2008).
Ms. To is a Fellow of the American College of Investment Counsel, a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and a member of the American Bar Association-Section of Business Law, where she is Vice-Chair of the Sub-Committee on Partnerships and Limited Liability Entities in Bankruptcy. She is a Board member of the Asian American Law Fund of New York, Inc.
Ms. To joined the firm in 1998 and became a partner in 2005. She received her LL.L. and LL.B. from the University of Ottawa in 1994 and 1995, respectively. From 1995 to 1996, Ms. To served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, Supreme Court of Canada. In 1998, she received an M.Phil. in Politics from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. Ms. To is bilingual in French and English.
Ms. To's recent representations include advising:
- Oaktree Capital Management in its investment in LNR Property Corp. in a comprehensive recapitalization of LNR.
- Oriental Trading Company, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, in its pending Chapter 11 proceedings.
- Holders of AMBAC-wrapped residential mortgage backed securities in the rehabilitation proceeding of AMBAC's Segregated Account.
- Noteholders in connection with an out of court restructuring of the private placement notes issued by a public international manufacturing company.
- The Hertz Corporation in connection with its successful Section 363 bid for Advantage Rent A Car.