Gregory B. Astrachan

Willkie is representing Saks Global Holdings LLC, a leading luxury retail company, in its chapter 11 restructuring and a related $1.75 billion financing package. On January 14, Saks Global announced that it commenced voluntary chapter 11 cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas with support from its key financial stakeholders. In connection with the chapter 11 filing, Saks Global secured a financing commitment of approximately $1.75 billion, comprising $1.5 billion from an ad hoc group of the company’s senior secured bondholders and approximately $240 million of incremental liquidity from the company's asset-based lenders. Saks Global is the largest multi-brand luxury retailer in the world, comprising Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks OFF 5TH, Last Call and Horchow. Its retail portfolio includes 70 full-line luxury locations, additional off-price locations and five distinct e-commerce experiences. The Willkie team is led by partners Gregory Astrachan, Matthew Feldman, Debra Sinclair, Robin Spigel and Charlotta Chung.

Jan 14

1 min

Willkie advised Starwind Specialty Insurance Services, LLC, a subsidiary of TIH, on its launch of collateralized reinsurer Fractal Re Ltd. and a related $270 million capital raise. On October 3, Starwind announced that it partnered with Stone Point Credit to launch Fractal Re, a new collateralized reinsurer that will provide reinsurance capacity across Starwind’s diversified portfolio of casualty programs. The launch was accompanied by a capital raise of $270 million of equity, with participation from leading institutional and industry investors as well as the TIH investor group and the Starwind management team. This represents the second sidecar capital raise for TIH in 2024, following the $300 million Trouvaille Re sidecar for AmRisc in April.  Willkie acted as deal counsel on that transaction as well. Starwind Specialty Insurance Services, LLC is one of the largest program management operations in North America, providing distribution partners and insureds unique, specialty products across multiple industries with a full suite of services – underwriting, distribution, and claims management. The Willkie team was led by partners Matthew Stern and Gregory Astrachan and included associate Jordan Oh.

Oct 3

1 min

Willkie partner Debra Sinclair has been quoted in media outlets in connection with her representation of Saks Global Holdings LLC in its chapter 11 restructuring and a related $1.75 billion financing package. The case commenced in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on January 13. On February 20, Saks Global won final court approval for more than $1.2 billion in chapter 11 debtor-in-possession financing after striking a deal with the Unsecured Creditors Committee. Debra presented the DIP financing to the bankruptcy court during the hearing, and her comments were subsequently featured in Women’s Wear Daily, CoStar News and Inc. “As of today, we have more than 100 brands that have either executed or are coming close to executing trade agreements with the company,” Debra told the court. “Our brand partners … are at the heart of our business and we’re generating great momentum with them.” Saks Global is the largest multi-brand luxury retailer in the world, comprising Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks OFF 5TH, Last Call and Horchow. Its retail portfolio includes 70 full-line luxury locations, additional off-price locations and five distinct e-commerce experiences. The Willkie team is led by partners Gregory Astrachan, Matthew Feldman, Debra Sinclair, Robin Spigel and Charlotta Chung.

Feb 27

1 min

Willkie advised Bluestar Alliance, LLC, a New York-based brand management company, on its acquisition of Off-White LLC, a luxury streetwear brand founded by designer Virgil Abloh, from LVMH. On September 30, Bluestar Alliance announced that it acquired the Off-White brand, which creates seasonal men's and women's clothing collections, objects, furniture, and publications. Bluestar Alliance owns, manages, and markets a portfolio of consumer brands that span many tiers of distribution with a heavy emphasis on department store retail brands. The Willkie team was led by partners Gregory Astrachan and Tej Prakash and associate Christian Bonser, and included partners Christopher Peters, Spencer Simon, Jordan Messinger and Luca Leonardi.

Oct 2

1 min

Willkie advised Churchill Capital Corp X (NASDAQ: CCCX), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, on the completion of its business combination with Infleqtion, Inc., a global leader in neutral atom-based quantum technology. Churchill X recently announced that its shareholders approved the previously announced business combination with Infleqtion. On February 13, the business combination was consummated and Infleqtion began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 17, 2026, under the ticker symbol “INFQ”. Infleqtion received over $550 million in gross proceeds, including nearly 100% of the cash held in Churchill X’s trust account and more than $125 million from a common stock private placement. Infleqtion is the first publicly listed neutral-atom quantum technology company and the only public company with commercial leadership across both quantum computing and precision sensing. The Willkie team was led by partners Gregory Astrachan, Sean Ewen and Esther Chang and included associates Marissa Dressor, Kevin Winnie, Andrew Lefkowitz, Bridget Boyd and Emily Oh.

Feb 19

1 min