Ali represents a wide range of stakeholders across the capital structure, including debtors-in-possession, trustees, creditors, statutory creditor and equity holder committees, bondholders, financial institutions, and third-party purchasers of distressed assets. He advises on Chapter 11 restructurings on a nationwide scale, as well as providing counsel to boards of directors on insolvency-related issues. Ali also represents acquirers of distressed assets and/or debt both in and out of court. In addition, he navigates clients through cross-border insolvencies.
Valued by clients and colleagues alike for his tenacity and forward-thinking approach to resolving difficult problems and highly charged disputes, Ali seeks to analyze his clients’ position from all angles, identifying the risks and opportunities they face, and devising a path to reconciliation that is grounded in the law and actionable in execution.
Ali has worked with clients on insolvency events in the manufacturing, real estate, construction, hospitality, energy – including oil and gas – telecommunications, retail, transportation, financial services, technology industries and mass torts.
Personally dedicated to delivering pragmatic legal counsel and high-quality work product, Ali’s team-oriented focus is to help clients reach their objectives, all while emphasizing responsiveness to client needs. Ali strives to continuously deliver a mix of insolvency and litigation abilities and practical business know-how cultivated over more than three decades of practice.
Professional and Community Involvement
Member, American Bar Association Subcommittee on Chapter 11
Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
Former board member, California Bankruptcy Forum
Former member, Southern District of California Bankruptcy Rule and Practice Committee
Former member, District of Delaware Bankruptcy Rule and Practice Committee
Member, San Diego County Bar Association
Member, San Diego Bankruptcy Forum
Member, Turnaround Management Association
Member, Iranian American Bar Association
Pro bono counsel, including the representation of a federal immigration judge in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), alleging that the DOJ’s recusal order, grounded in her national origin, violated her constitutional rights and Title VII. The litigation, which raised important policy issues concerning judicial independence, resulted in a transformational settlement, under which the DOJ’s recusal order was rescinded, the DOJ was required to conduct an internal review of its recusal policies, and the payment of settlement consideration by the DOJ.
Honors
The Best Lawyers in America, 2022-2025
Ellis Island Medal of Honor, 2014
