Dr. Sebastian Knapp

Dr. Sebastian Knapp has many years of experience in providing legal and restructuring advice in the context of insolvency. He specialises in advising creditors, companies and their corporate bodies, as well as shareholders and investors on all aspects of crisis and insolvency situations.

He supports creditors in protection and enforcing their rights in insolvency proceedings, in the performance of existing contractual obligations and in representing creditors’ interests in creditors’ committees.

Dr. Knapp advises companies and shareholders, in particular, on the legal review and implementation of operational and financial restructuring and turnaround measures, including the drafting of insolvency and restructuring plans (under the German Insolvency Code [Insolvenzordnung – InsO] and the Corporate Stabilization and Restructuring Act [Gesetz über den Stabilisierungs- und Restrukturierungsrahmen für Unternehmen – StaRUG]) as well as the conduct of scenario analyses.

He is also regularly entrusted with the restructuring of companies as Chief Insolvency Officer (or in a leadership role as chief representative) in self-administration and protective shield proceedings.

He advises corporate bodies (managing directors, boards and supervisory boards) regarding their comprehensive obligations during a company crisis, helping them to avoid personal civil and criminal liability.

Furthermore, Dr. Knapp provides support to investors and sellers on corporate transactions (particularly those arising out of insolvency), and, as a liquidator, conducts solvent liquidations on behalf of shareholders. He also acts as a trustee for lenders and shareholders in the context of restructuring processes (“dual-purpose trusteeship”).

Prior to founding the law firm, Dr. Knapp worked for over 12 years at international commercial law firms in the field of insolvency-related legal and restructuring advisory services, as well as for an internationally operating private equity firm.

Dr. Knapp studied law at Philipps University of Marburg, completed his legal clerkship at the Regional Court of Limburg an der Lahn, and obtained his doctorate in insolvency law at Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel.

He regularly publishes on topics related to insolvency law.

Languages: German and English