Wall of Fame Class of 2025
Brian is a Partner at Proskauer Rose LLP in New York, where he represents and advocates for debtors, creditors, and acquirers in high-stakes, distressed financial situations, with a focus on Chapter 11 reorganizations. He played key roles in the successful Chapter 11 reorganizations of companies such as Enron, Washington Mutual, Foxwoods, United Companies Financial Corporation, Chrysler Properties, and Frontier Airlines.
Brian was instrumental in restructuring $18 billion of indebtedness for COFINA, the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation, and has been a leader in the Financial Oversight and Management Board of Puerto Rico, overseeing over $90 billion in restructuring for the Commonwealth.
During the restructuring, Brian led a team that negotiated terms of understanding with multiple and divergent creditor groups, developed a restructuring plan for multiple Puerto Rico entities, and presented the plan of adjustment to the U.S. District Court for approval. The restructuring created a realistic path forward for Puerto Rico by establishing a foundation for growth and re-entry into the capital markets, which will be crucial to Puerto Rico’s future.
In 2023, his role in that situation was recognized by The American Lawyer when he was named a 2023 Dealmaker of the Year. The American Lawyer‘s Dealmaker of the Year award recognizes lawyers who have played pivotal roles in some of the most notable transactions of the year, with an emphasis on innovation and creativity.
During his time at MMI, Brian was a point guard on the MMI Boys Basketball team. Inspired by his experiences as a student athlete, Brian created Castle Athletics in 2008, a New York City-based nonprofit organization serving approximately 175 students in grades 2–12, primarily from Harlem and the Bronx. The organization provides academic enrichment and competitive basketball opportunities to underserved youth. Through pairing students up with a dedicated academic advisor and exposing them to collegiate coaches and programs, Castle Athletics aims to prepare student athletes for success in academics, athletics, and life.
In 2016, Brian returned to MMI as the Commencement Speaker, offering insights from his professional journey and reinforcing his commitment to supporting the next generation of MMI graduates.