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Duane L. Loft

Partner

Duane leads Pallas’s New York practice. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on restructuring disputes, contested issues in bankruptcy, and cross-border litigation.

Duane is recognised as a leading lawyer in both General Commercial Litigation and Bankruptcy Litigation by Chambers USA, where clients describe him as “an extremely talented lawyer,” “thoughtful, quick-witted and commercial,” and “an advocate you want on your side.” Legal 500 has named him among New York City’s “Elite” for Commercial Disputes. In addition, Duane is listed in Lawdragon’s 500 Global Plaintiff Lawyers Guide and has been named a “Rising Star” by both the New York Law Journal and Law360.

In the area of restructuring litigation, Duane has represented ad hoc groups of creditors in a number of significant corporate bankruptcies, including the Chapter 11 cases of Intelsat S.A. and LBI Media, in each case serving as trial counsel in multi-week hearings on contested plans of reorganisation.

In cross-border disputes, Duane has helped recover billions of dollars for institutional investors, including through Section 1782 discovery proceedings that have led to precedent-setting decisions in district and appellate courts throughout the United States.

 

Bombardier Inc.

Representing 2034 Noteholders of Bombardier Inc. in litigation to collect a make-whole payment arising from a covenant breach and to invalidate a vote-rigging liability management exercise.

 

Norske Skog

Defending fraudulent transfer claims in Chapter 15 adversary proceedings brought by the trustee of Norske Skogindustrier, an insolvent Norwegian paper company, relating to a 2016 restructuring.

 

Offshore Appraisal Section 1782 Proceedings

Section 1782 discovery proceedings for dissenting shareholders pursuing billions of dollars in offshore shareholder appraisal claims, including in connection with the take-private mergers of 58.com, Jardine, SINA, 51Job, Myovant Sciences, and New Frontier Health.

 

Hertz

Representing Ad Hoc Group of Hertz creditors to recover backstop fee owed in connection with restructuring of Hertz’s European businesses.

 

Intelsat, S.A.

Represented Ad Hoc Group of Convertible Noteholders in Chapter 11 of Intelsat S.A., including as trial counsel in a three-week contested plan confirmation hearing.

Fordham Law School, J.D., magna cum laude; Notes & Articles Editor, Fordham Law Review; Order of the Coif (top 10% of class); Fordham Prize

Fordham University, B.A., summa cum laude, Comparative Literature

Bars

New York

U.S. District Court: Southern District of New York

U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. Court of Appeals: Second Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals: Third Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals: Sixth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals: Seventh Circuit

Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2023-2024), Litigation: General Commercial (2024-2025) and Bankruptcy Litigation (2025)

Legal 500 US, New York City’s “Elite” for Commercial Disputes (2025)

Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America Guide (2026)

Lawdragon 500 Global Plaintiff Lawyers Guide (2024 and 2025)

Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators Guide (2023-2025)

New York Metro, Super Lawyers (2022-2024)

Law360, Rising Star (2020)

New York Law Journal, Rising Star (2020)

New York Metro, Super Lawyers Rising Star (2014-2016, 2019-2020)

Hon. Kenneth F. Ripple, U.S. Court of Appeals: Seventh Circuit

duane.loft@pallasllp.com

+1 (212) 970 2301

“Duane is an extremely talented lawyer. He’s thoughtful, quick-witted and commercial. He is an advocate you want on your side.”

Related Articles

  • 10 September 2025

    Featured Article, News & Announcements

    The Americanisation of European LMEs – What Happens Next?

    In 9fin’s three-part series on The Americanisation of European LMEs, our New York Partner, Duane Loft, discusses the growing use of liability management exercises for European issuers and how some recent transactions “have gone back to the much harsher forms of less inclusive LMEs,” which often result in litigation.

    10 September 2025

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  • 8 September 2025

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    Pallas Recognised in 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America

    Congratulations to our partners Duane Loft, Josh Naftalis, Michael Hanin and Jill Forster who have been included in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America guide.

    8 September 2025

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  • 30 July 2025

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    Pallas Recognised in 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators Guide

    Congratulations to our partners Natasha Harrison, Tracey Dovaston, Matt Getz, Nelson Goh, Fiona Huntriss, Neil Pigott and Duane Loft who have been once again been included in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators guide.

    30 July 2025

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  • 24 July 2025

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    Pallas Achieves Significant Win in Hunkemöller Case

    We are pleased to share a significant win for our clients in the Hunkemöller case – as the New York State Supreme Court allowed key breach of contract claims to proceed over the company’s motion to dismiss.

    24 July 2025

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