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Associate — Grand Rapids

616/336-6132

[email protected]


Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 2021

Calvin University
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.A., International Relations & International Development, 2017

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Attorney

Trent is a member of Varnum’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights Practice Team. His practice focuses on corporate restructuring, Chapter 11 reorganizations, and out-of-court workouts. He represents debtors, creditors, bondholders, committees, and other stakeholders in insolvency matters across industries including energy, manufacturing, transportation, health care, agriculture, and retail.

Trent has experience managing large debtor cases from pre-filing preparation through post-confirmation matters. His work includes advising on DIP financings, coordinating internal and external teams, and presenting first day motions and other court appearances. He regularly drafts and responds to pleadings and motions, including discovery motions, motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment, and has negotiated settlements in bankruptcy-related litigation.

He also has experience with distressed asset sales both in and out of court, including Section 363 sales, UCC sales, state-court receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors.

In addition to his restructuring work, Trent advises clients on commercial law matters such as financings, contract negotiations, and vendor, customer, and landlord relationships. He also counsels boards of directors on risk management and dispute resolution.

Trent is admitted in Illinois. His admission to the State Bar of Michigan is currently pending.

Experience

Represented Yellow Corporation, a national trucking and logistics company with a 100-year history, and its subsidiaries in their Chapter 11 cases before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware involving $1.2 billion in funded debt and a $1.52 billion stalking horse sale of real estate assets.

Represented SunPower Corporation, a leading residential solar energy provider, and its subsidiaries in their Chapter 11 cases before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to restructure more than $2 billion in debt through a going-concern sale supported by a stalking horse agreement.

Represented Prima® Wawona, the nation’s largest producer of stone fruit, and its affiliates in their Chapter 11 cases before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware involving approximately $1 billion in debt. The confirmed plan carried out an equitization transaction transferring ownership of the company’s real estate to secured lenders and its operating assets to a liquidating trust, facilitating a global settlement among lenders, creditors, and equity holders.

Represented Pipeline Health System, LLC, an operator of safety-net hospitals and clinics across multiple states, and its affiliates in their Chapter 11 cases before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas to restructure more than $600 million in obligations while maintaining essential healthcare operations.

Represented an ad hoc group of unsecured noteholders in the Chapter 11 cases of Talen Energy Supply, LLC, one of North America’s largest independent power generation companies, before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The restructuring achieved a $2.7 billion deleveraging and new majority equity ownership following a $1.4 billion recapitalization.

Represented QualTek Services Inc., a provider of infrastructure and renewable energy project solutions to the telecommunications and power industries, and its subsidiaries in their Chapter 11 cases before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The consensual restructuring cut total debt nearly in half, from $625 million to $318 million, and improved liquidity.

Professional Affiliations

American Bankruptcy Institute

Chicago Bar Association

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