James Sprayregen, the architect behind Kirkland & Ellis’s bankruptcy dominance, is joining Paul Weiss, sources say. The Chicago‑based lawyer, who steered the firm’s global restructuring unit from the early 1990s, left Kirkland in 2024 after advising United Airlines, Toys R Us and Detroit’s municipal creditors.

Paul Weiss, led in restructuring by Paul Basta, a former Sprayregen protégé, will gain a veteran whose career spans high‑profile Chapter 11 cases. Sprayregen’s exit followed a brief stint as vice‑chair at Hilco Global, where he aimed to broaden the firm’s reach and secure new capital.

The hire signals a shift in the U.S. distressed‑debt arena, where Kirkland once commanded a majority of bankruptcy matters. By adding Sprayregen, Paul Weiss strengthens its competitive edge and offers clients a seasoned strategist with deep court and market experience.