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About Harold B. Murphy
Harry is the founder and Director of Murphy & King’s Restructuring Practice and has more than thirty-five years’ experience representing major stakeholders in the restructuring of financially troubled companies. He frequently represents debtor companies and entrepreneurs, creditors’ committees, trustees and receivers and acquirers in out-of-court restructurings and Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy cases. Recognized by Chambers USA as the Star Individual in the Massachusetts Band 1 rankings of bankruptcy practitioners, Harry has been cited as the ‘go to guy’ for debtor cases and for his expertise and creativity in delivering outstanding results for his clients. Harry is a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy, and he has been recognized as a Best Lawyer, Lawyer of the Year, and a Top 10 Lawyer in Massachusetts by local and national publications.
Representative Engagements
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtor, one of the largest owner-operators of offshore barges worldwide, in consolidated Chapter 11 cases. Prosecuted and resolved numerous disputed bankruptcy and bankruptcy-related claims and confirmed contested Chapter 11 Plan.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtors, owners and operators of two of Boston’s largest office towers. Obtained confirmation of Chapter 11 Plan that enabled the restructuring and refinancing of approximately $700 million of indebtedness and equity’s retention of ownership.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtor, the single largest contractor on the so-called “big dig” construction project in Boston that resulted in a confirmed Chapter 11 Plan resolving 14 open “big dig” contracts, numerous other open public works contracts, and over $1 billion in debt.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtors, importers and sellers of petroleum products in Puerto Rico through a retail chain of approximately 250 franchised service stations. Obtained confirmation of Plan that provided for equity’s retention of ownership.
- Represented Creditors’ Committee and Plan Trustee in wind down of 300-bed hospital. Prosecuted and resolved multi-million-dollar lawsuits against former officers and directors of hospital, hospital accounts receivable lender and failed pre-petition acquirer of hospital.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtor, a publicly traded company, and its affiliates, in the reorganization of a retail store chain with over 200 locations. Obtained confirmation of Plan that provided for equity’s retention of ownership.
- Represented Chapter 11 Trustee of telecommunications companies that operated a multi-level marketing pyramid scheme involving as many as a million participants.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtors that owned and operated a real estate project consisting of a large luxury hotel and more than 100 luxury residential condominium units. Confirmed Chapter 11 Plan that provided for full payment to creditors and substantial recovery for equity.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtor, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of a hemophilia treatment. Consummated two sales of substantially all assets, the total consideration of which, including royalties and milestone payments, exceeded $500 million, and confirmed Chapter 11 Plan.
- Served as Chapter 11 Trustee and counsel of more than 100-year old well-known candy manufacturer and distributor in New England. Consummated a distressed sale of substantially all assets and prosecuted and resolved claims against secured creditor, directors and officers, and shareholder.
- Represented Creditors’ Committee and Plan Trustee of general contractor with yearly revenue in excess of $300 million, liabilities in excess of $80 million and over 200 open contracts.
- Represented the Chapter 11 Debtor, one of the largest off-the-road, truck and specialty tire manufacturers in the United States and Canada, in successful reorganization.
- Represented the Chapter 11 Debtors, owners of multiple office buildings and hotels in the Greater Boston area. Confirmed Chapter 11 Plan that restructured approximately $200 million of debt and provided for equity’s retention of ownership.
- Served as Chapter 7 Trustee and counsel of three affiliated non-profit Debtors, operators of a full-service hospital that closed precipitously. Within a month of the bankruptcy filing, reopened the emergency room, radiology department, hospice care and other necessary emergency care. Following the sale of substantially all assets, prosecuted and resolved claims against the indenture trustee.
- Represented Creditors’ Committee and Plan Trustee of currency trading company. Prosecuted and resolved claims against failed acquirer and interim manager of currency exchange business.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtor, a biopharmaceutical research firm developing novel vaccines and immunotherapies for a range of diseases. Consummated sale of substantially all assets, confirmed Chapter 11 Plan, and effected an orderly wind down of business.
- Represented five Chapter 11 Debtors, owners and operators of waste collection and recycling facilities. Confirmed Plan that restructured approximately $100 million of debt and provided for equity’s retention of ownership.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtor, owner and operator of seafood processing facility. Developed and implemented competitive bidding process, consummated contested sale of substantially all assets, and confirmed Chapter 11 Plan.
- Represented Creditors’ Committee and Plan Trustee of automotive floorplan lender, whose business assets were sold. Confirmed joint Chapter 11 Plan and effected orderly wind down of business with significant recovery to creditors.
- Represented Creditors’ Committee in a Chapter 11 proceeding of six debtors providing home health care and pharmacy services in over 37 states.
- Represented Chapter 11 Debtors, operators of nine facilities providing acute (non-surgical), chronic, medical and rehabilitation services to over 900 patients and employed approximately 1,600 employees.
Professional Involvement
- Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy
- Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Boston Bar Association
- Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
- Member, Turnaround Management Association
Honors
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2004-2024)
- Super Lawyers Top 10 list for Massachusetts (2006)
- Super Lawyers Top 100 list for Massachusetts (2004-2016, 2021-2023)
- Super Lawyers Top 100 list for New England (2007-2014)
- Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring Star Individual (Massachusetts) (2003-2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (1995-2025); Litigation – Bankruptcy (2011-2025)
- The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Bankruptcy (2025)
- Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyer (2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024)
- Boston magazine Top Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Workout (2021-2023)
- IFLR1000, Highly-Regarded, Restructuring and Insolvency (2019 and 2020)
- U.S. News-Best Lawyers: Boston Litigation – Bankruptcy “Lawyer of the Year” (2012 and 2014), Boston Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2013)
Speaking Engagements
- Harry frequently lectures on commercial and bankruptcy law for continuing legal education programs.
