CHICAGO - Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is pleased to announce that Michael C. Rupe, a partner in the Firm’s Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Creditors’ Rights Practice, has been named among the 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch by Law Bulletin Publishing Company, publishers of Chicago Lawyer magazine and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Mr. Rupe is featured, along with the other recognized attorneys, in a special supplement to Chicago Lawyer and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, currently available.

For the last seven years, Law Bulletin Publishing’s "40 Under Forty" has honored Illinois attorneys who show a passion for their profession, have had a series of successful outcomes and, above all, demonstrate a dedication and commitment to the legal profession. Honorees are chosen in a nomination process that evaluates candidates’ career achievements, advancement in their fields and community involvement. In recognizing Mr. Rupe, Law Bulletin Publishing wrote that, "He has, before the age of 40, already crafted an impressive legal career, serving as lead counsel for an array of lenders, private equity funds and their portfolio companies, and syndicated loan agents." It also noted that, "Thanks in large part to Rupe’s work, Katten is now a preferred provider to a Fortune 10 company."

"I am very pleased to see Michael honored as one of Illinois’ finest young attorneys," said Vincent A.F. Sergi, Katten’s National Managing Partner. "Michael is an excellent attorney and this recognition is a testament to the quality of his work and his career achievements."

Mr. Rupe, 36, concentrates his national practice in corporate bankruptcies, workouts and restructurings. He has acted as lead counsel for secured lenders, syndicated loan agents and participants, venture capital concerns and their portfolio companies, and borrowers/debtors in all aspects of in-court and out-of-court workout, restructuring and reorganization matters, including DIP financing and cash collateral matters. Mr. Rupe also represents sellers and buyers in connection with acquisitions and divestitures of distressed properties, with transactions occurring both in bankruptcy and outside of bankruptcy, including assignments for the benefit of creditors, receiverships and UCC sales. He also regularly acts as lead counsel for secured, unsecured and undersecured institutional lenders in workouts and bankruptcies involving a wide array of industries. Some recent matters in which Mr. Rupe has been involved include the bankruptcies of: Protocol Communications, Conseco, Archibald Candy (Fannie May), Jays Foods, United Airlines, Clark Retail, Gingiss Formalwear, Fleming Companies and Republic Storage. For his work in representing Archibald Candy, Mr. Rupe’s team received the M&A Advisor "2004 Deal of the Year Award" as well as the Chicago Turnaround Management Association’s "2004 Transaction of the Year Award."

Mr. Rupe received his B.A. from The Ohio State University and his J.D. from University of Cincinnati College of Law. He also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable R. Guy Cole of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP (www.katten.com) is a full-service law firm with offices in the nation's largest centers of business, government, finance and technology and an affiliated entity in London. With over 650 attorneys in more than 40 areas of practice, Katten provides timely and cost-effective counsel to clients in numerous industries. Katten provides advice for a wide range of public and private companies – from entrepreneurial, emerging-growth, and middle market firms to global Fortune 100 corporations – as well as government entities, institutions of higher learning, museums and a host of other charitable and cultural organizations.