Andrew C. Helman
Maine
Dentons US LLP
254 Commercial Street, Suite 245
Merrill’s Wharf
Portland, ME 04101
Tel: +1 207 619 0919
Email:
andrew.helman@dentons.com
Web:
www.dentons.com
Andrew Helman is a partner in the Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy practice group at Dentons and the Portland Office Managing Partner. He focuses his practice on bankruptcy and insolvency matters and works with all types of businesses, including those in the health care and cannabis sectors, to help them restructure and protect their assets.
Andrew has served as lead counsel to debtors, trustees, secured parties and others in chapter 11 cases, including having served as independent counsel to a state attorney general in several chapter 11 cases in New England and Delaware. He has particular experience as lead counsel representing rural hospitals in chapter 11 cases and has successfully confirmed chapter 11 plans that have allowed rural hospitals to continue operating with restructured balance sheets.
Andrew frequently writes articles for national insolvency publications and teaches seminars on bankruptcy and fraudulent transfer law. In addition, he is co-chair of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Health Care Committee and was a recipient of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2019. He was also selected as one of 40 attorneys nationally to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ 2016 NextGen Program. He is ranked by Chambers for bankruptcy and restructuring, and has been included in The Best Lawyers in America for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law since 2021.
Honors and Awards
- Named, Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2021-2023
- Ranked, Maine, Chambers USA, Bankruptcy and Restructuring, 2019-2022
- Honoree, 40 Under 40, American Bankruptcy Institute, 2019
- National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ Next Generation Program, 2016
- Selected for inclusion in the 2015-2020 issues of Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Maine)
- In re Fairport Baptist Homes et al. (Chapter 11 – Western District of New York, June 2022-present): Andrew is representing the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Fairport Baptist Homes et al. The debtor companies own and operate a 142-bed skilled nursing facility, independent living, and other businesses related to senior care.
- In re Community Eco Power, LLC, et al. (Chapter 11 – District of Massachusetts, July 2021-present): Andrew is lead counsel representing the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Community Eco Power, LLC, et al. The debtor companies own and operate municipal waste-to-energy facilities in the Springfield and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, areas.
- In re Springfield Hospital, Inc. (Chapter 11 – District of Vermont, June 2019-present): Andrew is lead counsel representing Springfield Hospital, Inc., in its successful chapter 11 case. The company recently confirmed a chapter 11 plan of reorganization (December 2020) and is now engaged in post-confirmation litigation to collect a pool of preference claims. During the case, Andrew led the team that obtained a permanent injunction against the U.S. Small Business Administration due to the agency’s improper exclusion of debtors from participating in the Paycheck Protection Program.
- In re Penobscot Valley Hospital(Chapter 11 – District of Maine, January 2019-present): Andrew serves as lead counsel for Penobscot Valley Hospital, which recently confirmed a chapter 11 plan that has restructured the company’s balance sheet, after operational improvements, which together has positioned the company to continue to provide health care services for years to come.
- In re Calais Regional Hospital (Chapter 11 – District of Maine, September 2019-present): Andrew is lead counsel to Calais Regional Hospital, a rural hospital on the Canadian border that is reorganizing in order to preserve business operations for its community.
- In re LRGHealthcare (Chapter 11 – District of New Hampshire, October 2020-present): Andrew is independent counsel representing the State of New Hampshire and various agencies, including the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Revenue, in the chapter 11 case of debtor LRGHealthcare.
- In re Gorham Paper and Tissue, LLC (Chapter 11 – District of Delaware, November 2020-present): Andrew is independent counsel representing the State of New Hampshire and various agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, in the chapter 11 case of a local paper mill.
- In re Springfield Medical Care Systems, Inc. (Chapter 11 – District of Vermont, June 2019-present): Andrew is lead counsel representing Springfield Hospital, Inc., in the chapter 11 case of its former affiliate, Springfield Medical Care Systems, Inc., which operates nine federally qualified health centers in Vermont.
When restructuring, insolvency or bankruptcy appears and financial distress threatens a business, rapidly maximizing values is key. Whether the challenge appears at headquarters or in a foreign jurisdiction, today’s global marketplace presents the decision-maker with a complex web of possible outcomes and legal strategies. Protecting your interests can be a daunting task when faced with conflicting economic interests, emotions and sometimes multiple legal systems and cultural norms. And it has never been more critical to be adroitly advised and flexibly responsive when considering which jurisdictions, laws and industry practices will result in the most ideal outcome.
Whether you’re managing a real estate portfolio, a distressed manufacturer or health care service provider; purchasing a weakened retail operation or struggling energy business; or simply a trader of heavily discounted sovereign and institutional debt and other securities, you can rely on us to take the edge off your anxiety. Dentons’ lawyers in offices around the world possess a deep understanding of your markets, wherever you trade and invest.
We grasp the complexities of your industry and bring a cross disciplinary team to assist. Side by side, we navigate intricate legal challenges and discover the best possible opportunities. Whether you need creative litigation or arbitration strategies, innovative negotiating tactics born from real-world experience or practical guidance in cross-border restructuring, we deliver the latest insights and known solutions so you can act with speed and confidence.
Dentons is the largest multinational law firm. The firm was founded in March 2013 by the merger of SNR Denton, Fraser Milner Casgrain and Salans. Following its merger with Chinese law firm Dacheng in November 2015, Dentons became the largest law firm in the world by number of lawyers and has the most offices of any law firm in the world, covering every continent.
As of 2022, Dentons operates in 77 countries, has 190 offices. The firm has no headquarters, although the firm’s senior leadership are primarily based in Beijing, London and Washington D.C. Dentons is structured as a Swiss Verein called Dentons Group. The verein encapsulates multiple co-operating legal entities, namely Dentons Canada LLP, Dentons Europe LLP, Dentons UK and Middle East LLP, Dentons US LLP, amongst others.