Troutman Pepper Locke Expands Bankruptcy and Restructuring Group With Additions of Three Partners in Boston and Charlotte

Arrivals Enhance CMBS Servicing Capabilities and Strengthen Firm’s Competitive Edge 

BOSTON and CHARLOTTE — Michael Cecka, David Fialkow, and Melissa Kato have joined Troutman Pepper Locke as partners and members of the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) special servicer team within the firm’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice. Their additions to the CMBS team will further fortify the firm’s competitive edge in the special servicing and litigation sectors nationally.

Cecka, Fialkow, and Kato join Troutman Pepper Locke from K&L Gates, where their practices focused on real estate finance and loan servicing, CMBS and collateralized loan obligation (CLO) defaults and enforcement, and CMBS and CLO special servicing issues.

“We are so pleased to welcome Michael, David, and Melissa to our team. They are highly regarded and sophisticated practitioners with deep experience and market knowledge in their sectors. Their arrivals continue the growth and development of our CMBS platform, while also opening up multiple opportunities for our team to collaborate with other practice groups and service offerings across the larger firm,” said Jonathan Young, leader of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice. “Their arrivals, following Chris Fernandez’s recent addition to our group, underscore our commitment to expanding our top-tier presence in the commercial mortgage servicing space, while also positioning us to meet growing market demand.”

Cecka, based in the firm’s Charlotte office, focuses his practice on real estate finance and special servicing matters for all asset classes. He represents national, international, and regional lenders, primary, master, and special servicers, and other investors in connection with various structured finance transactions, including CLOs, CMBS and balance sheet mortgage loans, mezzanine debt, and other credit facilities secured by single or multi-property portfolios secured by all commercial asset classes.

“The firm’s expansive litigation resources and esteemed presence in the CMBS special servicing arena provide an outstanding platform to further develop innovative solutions for clients,” remarked Cecka.

Fialkow, based in the firm’s Boston office, is a distinguished litigator with experience representing financial institutions and service providers in disputes involving commercial and consumer finance products. His consumer experience consists of handling litigation, class actions, arbitrations, and regulatory compliance matters for national banks and other financial service providers. On the commercial side, Fialkow advises on lender liability actions, loan transaction disputes, and risk mitigation.

“Troutman Pepper Locke’s commitment to this group’s continued growth, its deep industry knowledge, and bench of leading attorneys made it an extremely attractive destination. I am thrilled to join the firm and reunite with Michael, Melissa, and Chris,” said Fialkow.

Kato, based in the firm’s Charlotte office, brings a wealth of experience advising and representing institutional lenders, servicers, investors, and financial institutions, with a particular focus on CMBS securitizations, CRE CLOs, loan servicing-related matters, and complex loan restructurings. She represents clients in a variety of secured and unsecured financial transactions, including the purchase and sale of servicing rights, loan restructurings, and asset management. Additionally, Kato has significant experience representing servicers in CMBS special servicing issues tied to SASB defaulted loans.

“I am eager to join a team where I can leverage the multifaceted skill set of my colleagues to address clients’ servicing, litigation, receivership, and bankruptcy needs,” added Kato.

“Michael’s wealth of knowledge, particularly in representing special servicers in loan modifications and workouts, combined with Melissa’s experience handling nuanced CMBS special servicing issues, especially those related to SASB defaulted loans, and David’s litigation proficiency in lender liability defense, builds on the momentum of our growing team and strengthens our capacity to deliver top-tier service in this niche market,” added Mark Silverman, partner and leader of the CMBS special servicer team within the firm’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice. “Together, their industry and market experience position the firm as a market-leading resource for managing complex CMBS transactions and maturity defaults.”

Troutman Pepper Locke’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring group provides secured lender and CMBS servicer and special servicer clients with creative solutions that prioritize recovery on defaulted loans. Clients impacted by distressed situations rely on the team’s know-how to enforce their rights and maximize value. The group’s deep understanding of pre- and post-insolvency issues from every stakeholder’s perspective enables them to help clients prevent and prepare for a financial crisis and, when needed, serve as trusted advisors to respond effectively to financial distress.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.