Our Experience

We take considerable pride in our work but are never prideful. The highest praise we can earn is that from our clients.

“We had the good fortune to work hand-in-hand with Rich in his capacity as the sole independent director of the Crowne Plaza Times Square in New York. Rich was instrumental in the successful restructuring, which saw a significant deleveraging of the company’s balance sheet, unification of disparate ownership in one new owner, and the resolution of numerous creditor disputes. Rich is a thoughtful and responsive leader who provides a steady hand irrespective of the circumstances and we look forward to the next opportunity to work together.”
— John Ashmead and Bob Gayda, Seward & Kissel
“We appointed Rich to one of our portfolio company boards to offer an experienced, mature and independent perspective.  He was instrumental in helping the company navigate its discrete challenges, avoid operational disruption and craft a successful resolution.”
— Michael Sanford, Global Head of Private Equity, Cerberus Capital Management
“We worked with Rich in a difficult situation involving an apparel retailer facing significant challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including declining sales and burdensome financial obligations.  He was adept at navigating the competing objectives of the company’s management team, ownership and its primary lease counterparty, and successfully guided the company through this difficult period.  His stewardship helped to place the company on a sounder financial and operating footing, with the opportunity to thrive in the future.”
— Sean O’Neal, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
“Theatine Partners was a critical resource to us as we navigated the complexities of our creditor position (ensuing from a co-development agreement) in PhaseBio’s chapter 11 proceedings. While Rich offered us practical, actionable advice, just as critical to achieving a successful outcome was the credibility he enjoyed with various constituents and their advisors. His help in negotiating a successful resolution of our claims was inestimable, and we would happily work with him again.”
— Bob DeBenedetto, Executive Chairman, SFJ Pharmaceuticals (a Blackstone portfolio company)
“Theatine Partners played an essential role in navigating a period of capital structure complexity for us as Wiline experienced rapid growth. Rich and his team assisted us in two successful capital raising exercises, which allowed us to refinance our debt and secure additional growth capital, respectively. His expertise in negotiating with both incumbent and prospective investors was a key factor in achieving our desired outcomes.”
— David Hertgen, President and Chief Financial Officer, Wiline Networks Inc.
“I have collaborated with Theatine Partners to address a variety of challenging restructuring matters, both in and out of court. Rich’s ability to handle the fraught situations that often arise in distressed scenarios, and the personalized attention he provides clients, are invaluable. He is equally adept at negotiating with experienced restructuring professionals as at advising officers and directors navigating insolvency for the first time. Rich’s depth of experience, sophistication, practicality, and versatility are a powerful and effective combination that drives excellent results.”
— Abigail O'Brient, Covington & Burling LLP