Practice Areas
Education
- J.D., with honors, 1995, University of North Carolina School of Law
- Staff Member, 1993-1994 and Publication Editor, 1994-1995, North Carolina Law Review
- B.S., 1987, United States Military Academy
Admissions to Practice
- Delaware, 1995
For nearly 15 years, Derek has represented Fortune 1000, local, international and other organizations as lead or Delaware counsel in bankruptcy proceedings and litigation on behalf of debtors, creditors, official and ad hoc committees and transactional case constituents. He works regularly with outside and inside counsel, turnaround professionals, crisis management firms, investment and non-investment bank professionals, and DIP and exit financing lenders. Nortel Networks, Lillian Vernon Corporation, Hancock Fabrics, Hollinger, Inc. and Nobex Corporation are among Derek’s client representations.
A member of the practice group regarded by the Daily Bankruptcy Review as among the nation’s most prolific, Derek has also been recognized by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America for his legal excellence and expertise. He has been further honored by the publishers of Law & Politics Magazine and selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers - Delaware Edition.
Derek serves on the Bankruptcy Section, and Chapter 11 Committee, of the Delaware State Bar Association. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, Turnaround Management Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute. He frequently presents before business and professional audiences.
Derek’s Delaware community activities are numerous; from assisting the Delaware Legal Services Community with its fundraising activities to serving as legal counsel for a variety of indigent clients through Delaware Volunteer Legal Services. Derek is also chair of the firm’s the firm’s recruiting and pro bono committees.
Representative Matters
- CBS/King World – represented major television network and syndication business in connection with Pappas Telecasting bankruptcies.
- Hollinger, Inc. – filed first Chapter 15 proceedings in Delaware.
- Nobex Corporation – litigated first motion regarding post-petition employee incentive compensation plans after adoption of the 2005 Amendments and the new 503(c) provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.
- Georgia-Pacific – Pope & Talbot bankruptcy proceedings.
News
- Derek Abbott Presents at 10th Annual Advanced Insolvency & Restructuring Law Conference - Best Practices for Managing Cross-Border Insolvencies & Restructurings
Derek Abbott served as a panel speaker for Best Practices for Managing Cross-Border Insolvencies & Restructurings at the 10th Annual Advanced Insolvency & Restructuring Law Conference. - Morris Nichols Business Reorganization and Restructuring Group Wins The M&A Advisor U.S. Middle-Market Financing Award
The M&A Advisor has named Morris Nichols’ Business Reorganization and Restructuring Group the winner of its U.S. Middle-Market Financing Award in the Retail Manufacturing/Distribution & Good/Services sector deal category for its representation of Hancock Fabrics, Inc., in its successful Chapter 11 reorganization. - Derek Abbott Speaks at 5th Annual ABI Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Conference – Capital Markets: Making Bricks without Straw
Derek Abbott served as a panel speaker for Capital Markets: Making Bricks without Straw at the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Conference - 26 Morris Nichols Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2010: Firm Earns Seven #1 Rankings in Delaware
The Best Lawyers in America 2010 has ranked Morris Nichols #1 in Delaware in seven practice areas and has named 26 Morris Nichols attorneys to its The Best Lawyers in America 2010 list. - Morris Nichols Represents RCI Acquisition LLC in Successful Bid to Regain Control of Ritz Camera Centers
Derek Abbott successfully concluded a marathon 24-hour auction on behalf of RCI Acquisition LLC in its bid for the assets of Ritz Camera Centers, Inc., America’s largest specialty camera store chain. - Morris Nichols Business Reorganization and Restructuring Group Wins Turnaround Atlas Award For Role in Restructuring of Hancock Fabrics, Inc.
Morris Nichols’ Business Reorganization and Restructuring Group has won a Turnaround Atlas Award for its role in the restructuring of Hancock Fabrics, Inc. - Morris Nichols Recognized for Role as Debtor's Counsel in Successful Reorganization of Big 10 Tire Stores
Morris Nichols’ Business Reorganization and Restructuring Group was recognized for its role as debtor’s counsel to Big 10 Tire Stores. - Chambers USA 2009 Names 20 Morris Nichols Attorneys and Five Practice Groups as Best in Delaware
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business today ranked twenty Morris Nichols’ attorneys and five practice groups as best in Delaware. - 18 Morris Nichols Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Super Lawyers – Delaware Edition 2009
Super Lawyers® magazine has named 18 Morris Nichols attorneys as top legal counsel in Delaware for 2009, three more than were listed in 2008. - Derek Abbott Quoted in Bloomberg on Tribune Co's Proposed Sale of Chicago Cubs
Partner Derek Abbott was quoted by Bloomberg media in an article about the Tribune Company’s proposed sale of the Chicago Cubs.
Professional and Community Activities
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Committee on Business Bankruptcy; Litigation Section
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Turnaround Management Association
- Delaware State Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section, Chapter 11 Committee
- Co-chair, Pro Bono Committee, Delaware State Bar Association
- Veterans Committee, Delaware State Bar Association
- Co-Chair, New Castle County for Combined Campaign for Justice fundraising effort to support pro bono legal services in Delaware