William P. Bowden

Bill is a director of the firm and leads the firm’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency practice.  Bill has practiced in Delaware’s Bankruptcy Court for the last 18 years, and during his career has represented parties with an extensive variety of interests including, without limitation, creditors committees and debtors.  Bill has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2006-2009 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Bankruptcy and Debtor-Creditor Rights Law.  Bill has been praised as a “masterly practitioner” whose team provides “holistic and constructive advise that covers the bankruptcy process from every angle” in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2005-’06). Chambers reported in 2008 and 2009 that clients view Bill as "fabulous, level-headed and effective," a "terrific lawyer," "tough negotiator," and praise his "all around strength." Bill was recently included in The Deal's Top Bankruptcy M&A Lawyers.

Representative Matters

Bill has served as lead or Delaware counsel in numerous complex bankruptcy cases, including the following representative matters: The Creditors Committees in the Visteon Corporation, Qimonda, OTC Holdings, Kaiser Aluminum, Merisant, Samsonite and Sea Launch cases; the Debtors in the Nanogen, CFM U.S. Corporation, Essential Therapeutics, USA Floral Products and Silver Cinemas cases; Senior Lenders in the Flying J (Wilmington Trust) and Global Safety Textiles (Goldman Sachs) cases; the Liquidators in the Goody's and Ritz Camera cases; the Chapter 11 Trustee in the Napster case; and the Senior Noteholders in the Tribune and AbitibiBowater cases. 

News & Publications

• Official Committee of Equity Security Holders Successfully Opposes Confirmation of Modified Sixth Amended Plan of Reorganization of Washington Mutual, Inc.
• Ashby & Geddes Advises On Restructurings, Asset Sales and Chapter 15 Proceedings
• Ashby & Geddes Represents Nanogen, Inc. And Affiliates
• Ashby & Geddes Advises Debtors On Sale Of Assets In Bankruptcy
• United States Bankruptcy Court Rules in Favor of Ashby & Geddes’ Clients Lehman Brothers Inc. and Lehman Brothers Commercial Paper Inc. Under "Safe Harbor" Provisions of Bankruptcy Code Sections 555 and 559
• Ashby & Geddes Directors Repeat as Super Lawyers

Professional Affiliations

• Member, Delaware State Bar Association
• Bankruptcy Section of the Delaware State Bar Association (Subcommittees: Chapter 11; New Lawyers)
• Advisory Board, Views From The Bench (2001-Present)
• Member, Moot Court Honor Society
• Local Bankruptcy Rules Committee
• Delaware Bankruptcy Inns of Court
• Panelist, CLE programs in the bankruptcy field
• Court approved mediator for matters pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware