Bankruptcy and restructuring attorney recruiters
We recruit bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys for Am Law 100 and Am Law 200 firms as well as midsize and regional firms. Tell us about your practice and we'll show you where it fits.
- We recruit for Am Law 100 and Am Law 200 firms and midsize and regional firms.
- Posted base pay ranges from $135,000 for staff attorneys up to $300,000 for Am Law 200 associates.
- Firms prioritize real Chapter 11 experience and adversary proceedings.
- Confidential representation at no cost to you, with fees paid by the hiring law firm.
- 2,900+
- Lawyers at firms ITG recruits bankruptcy attorneys for
- 24
- States, plus DC, where those firms have offices
- Am Law 100
- to bankruptcy boutiques
- +38%
- Business Chapter 11 filings, Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025 (U.S. Courts)
Why bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys work with ITG
Ideal Talent Group recruits bankruptcy and restructuring lawyers for Am Law and midsize firms. We evaluate law firm platforms against your courtroom goals and compensation expectations.
- Firm caliber and reach
- Our clients include Am Law 100 and Am Law 200 firms, midsize and regional firms, and a bankruptcy boutique. Together they employ more than 2,900 lawyers across offices in 24 states and Washington DC.
- Who we interview
- Creditor-side work is the most common background among the bankruptcy attorneys we interview. Some handle both sides, including trustee and creditor committee work.
- What hiring partners screen for
- Firms look for real Chapter 11 experience and adversary proceedings. Larger firms also review law school transcripts and class rank before scheduling an interview.
- Where our pay data comes from
- Our compensation data comes directly from ranges posted by hiring firms and our interviews with practicing attorneys. Candidate interview numbers reflect self-reported earnings.
What do bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys make in 2026?
Posted base ranges in roles we've recruited for run from $135,000 to $165,000 for staff attorneys in Atlanta with three or more years of experience. Mid-level commercial litigation roles with a bankruptcy focus in Orlando post base salaries from $140,000 to $160,000 for three to eight years. For associates at an Am Law 200 firm in Atlanta or Washington DC, posted base pay reaches $225,000 to $300,000 for three to five years of practice. In our candidate interviews, the median current base salary across all experience levels is $120,000, while candidates seek a median base of $172,500.
The bankruptcy attorneys we interview practice in New York City, Washington DC, Atlanta, South Florida, Delaware and other major markets. For filing trends and hiring, see our guide to restructuring and bankruptcy hiring in 2026.
Associate billable targets in roles we've recruited for run 1,800 to 1,850 hours, and staff attorney roles carry lower hours. Some firms pay hours-based bonuses that start above the billable target. Most roles were hybrid, some were in office and none were fully remote. Our guide to 1,800, 1,900 and 2,000 billable hours compares those targets.
Commercial Chapter 11 lawyers ask for more than consumer Chapter 7 and 13 lawyers. Any ask above a posted band needs a book of business, for partners and associates alike.
| Experience or role | Base pay |
|---|---|
| 3 to 5 years, Am Law 200 associate (posted) | $225,000 to $300,000 |
| 3 to 8 years, commercial litigation with a bankruptcy focus (posted) | $140,000 to $160,000 |
| 3+ years, staff attorney (posted) | $135,000 to $165,000 |
| Median asked for, 3 to 7 years (interviews) | $159,000 |
| Median current base, all levels (interviews) | $120,000 |
| All lawyers, all employers, U.S. mean (BLS) | $185,840 |
Posted ranges: roles ITG recruited for, July 2024 to July 2026; bonuses not included. Interview figures: base pay bankruptcy attorneys reported to ITG; the pool includes creditor-side and consumer practices, which pay less than large-firm Chapter 11 work. As of October 2026.
How we got these numbers: Pay figures come from law firm searches from July 2024 to July 2026 and ITG candidate interviews from February 2024 to August 2026. Candidate figures are self-reported. The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 put the U.S. median for all lawyers at $159,670, a figure that covers every employer type and excludes nonproduction bonuses.
Updated
What bankruptcy and restructuring firms screen for
Substantive Chapter 11 background
Firms look for real Chapter 11 experience. Consumer Chapter 7 credit card work alone does not qualify a candidate for these commercial roles.
Courtroom and motion practice
Firms look for active time in bankruptcy court, including contested hearings and adversary proceedings. Experience arguing stay motions and claims objections gives lateral candidates a clear advantage.
Debtor and committee representation
Associate roles call for debtor-side or creditor committee experience.
Academic credentials and transcripts
Larger law firms screen closely for law school performance and class standing. These firms regularly ask for law school transcripts alongside an application.
Bar admission and tenure
Firms require active bar admission in the jurisdiction where the office operates. Firms also want stable tenure.
Moving from commercial litigation into bankruptcy
Some firms are open to strong commercial litigators who want to move into bankruptcy and restructuring. Second-chair trial experience helps.
Hiring committees evaluate specific courtroom exposure when reviewing commercial litigators. Experience with contested hearings, adversary proceedings, and stay or claims motions directly translates to bankruptcy practice. In contrast, consumer Chapter 7 credit card work alone does not carry enough weight for commercial restructuring roles.
Why bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys change firms
Bankruptcy attorneys move over uneven workflow or a thin team after a partner leaves, and over pay and feeling undervalued. Others have hit a ceiling in a niche creditor practice and want a larger platform with bigger Chapter 11 matters and more time in court.
The deal-breakers bankruptcy candidates name are pay below their floor, a lateral move with no raise, another small firm, a long commute and having to sit for a new bar.
Bankruptcy experience doesn't always transfer to other practices, so target bankruptcy-specific roles.
Real recruiters who know the legal market.
You work with one person who specializes in your practice and keeps your search confidential.
Common Questions
What is the typical bankruptcy associate salary?
Is bankruptcy law in demand in 2026?
What is the difference between debtor-side and creditor-side bankruptcy work?
Are bankruptcy attorney jobs remote or hybrid?
How much does it cost to use a legal recruiter?
Will my current firm find out I'm talking to a recruiter?
Talk to a recruiter who knows your market
Tell us what you practice and what you'd want in a next seat. A recruiter will reach out, usually within one business day. It's confidential and free, and we don't share résumés or names without your permission.