Overview
A cofounder of the firm recognized as a leader in bankruptcy and maritime law, Stewart Peck’s practice is focused on:
- Bankruptcy, restructuring and creditors’ rights
- Admiralty and maritime
- Marine and asset-based finance
- Commercial litigation
- Corporate and M&A
- Oil and gas
Stewart has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in a wide array of reported cases in the federal and state courts. He has participated in oral argument before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 19 times, as well as before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the Louisiana courts of appeal and the Louisiana Supreme Court.
He is either presently acting or has previously acted as debtor’s lead counsel or creditors’ counsel in a number of Chapter 11 bankruptcies involving companies operating within and outside of the Gulf Coast region. Stewart has also handled significant marine finance transactions, as well as substantial mergers and acquisitions. For a number of regional businesses, he provides legal expertise and support as outside general counsel.
Stewart has an ability to see the battlefield, take strategic control of his client’s best interests and drive things to a conclusion for their benefit.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring Client – Chambers
Outside the Office
Stewart is an avid art collector and member of an art museum board, enjoys attending college and professional sporting events, and loves to travel.
- Served as Debtors’ Lead Counsel for Gulf Fleet Holdings, Inc. and 10 of its subsidiaries and affiliates in a Chapter 11 proceeding with over $35,000,000 in assets and approximately $65,000,000 in claims.
- Served as Debtor’s Lead Counsel for Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc. in a Chapter 11 proceeding with more than $100,000,000 in assets and $100,000,000 in claims.
- Served as Debtor’s Lead Counsel for Torch Offshore, Inc. in a Chapter 11 proceeding with more than $125,000,000 in claims and $100,000,000 in assets.
- Served as Debtor’s Lead Counsel for East Cameron Partners, LP in a Chapter 11 proceeding with assets of more than $100,000,000 and debt of approximately $185,000,000.
- Served as Debtor’s Lead Counsel for Conmaco/Rector, LP in a Chapter 11 proceeding.
- Served as Debtor’s Lead Counsel for Sun Drilling Products Corporation in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
- Recently placed Cox Operating, with over $400 million in debt, into involuntary bankruptcy.
- Served as Lead or Special Unsecured Creditors’ Committee in the Chapter 11 bankruptcies of Saratoga Resources, Inc., Trico Marine Group, Force Energy, Equinox Energy, and Virgin Oil Company, Inc., as well as many others.
- Represented Citicorp North America, Inc. in the foreclosure of Oakwood Mall, a shopping mall in metropolitan New Orleans.
- Represented Secured Creditors in numerous Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.
Professional
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- New Orleans Bar Association
- Past Bankruptcy Committee Chair
- Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
- Maritime Law Association
- Special Advisory Committee, Louisiana Law Institute
Community
- Chair, Stewardship Committee, St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church
- Member, Alumni Council, Kenyon College
- Co-Chair, 50th Reunion Committee, Kenyon College
- Member of the Board of Directors of The Gund (art museum)
- Benchmark Litigation: United States (National); Louisiana Litigation Star
- Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy & Maritime Law (2010-2024)
- Louisiana Super Lawyers: Top 50
- Best Lawyers (2009-2024)
- Chambers USA Guide, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2011-2024)
- New Orleans Magazines “Top Lawyers” (2016-2023)
- Inside New Orleans Reader’s Favorite “Elite Lawyers” (2022-2023)
- Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Co-presenter with Benjamin Kadden, “Financing Debt and Equity: Overcoming Obstacles” and “Top Mistakes Made During an Acquisition and How to Avoid Them, “National Business Institutes’ program: “Buying and Selling a Business: Start-to-Finish,” December 9, 2016
- “Marine Finance and Liens,” A Panel Discussion, Golden Rules: Tulane Admiralty Law Institute and Maritime Law Association’s 50-Year Reunion, October 2016
- “Bankruptcy issues are becoming increasingly prevalent in all areas of practice. Are you ready for when they knock on your door?” University of Texas School of Law’s 25th Annual Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference, August 2016
- “Proving Damages in Commercial Cases,” New Orleans Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference, March 2016
- “When is Involuntary Bankruptcy an Option?” Blog, October 12, 2015
- Coauthor, “What is a Vessel?: Implications for Marine Finance, Marine Insurance, and Admiralty Jurisdiction,” 89 Tul. L. Rev. 1103 (June 2015)
- “Navigating the Murky Waters of Admiralty and Bankruptcy Law,” 87 Tul. L. Rev. 955 (June 2013)
- “Navigating the Murky Waters of Admiralty and Bankruptcy Law,” 24th Admiralty Law Institute, Tulane University Law School, March 14, 2013
- “Taking Advantage of the Louisiana Oil Well Lien Act (LOWLA),” July 10, 2009
