CLAUDIA SPRINGER has perfected the art of reinvention. With over four decades of experience as a restructuring advisor and bankruptcy attorney, Claudia now heads Novo Advisors’ Philadelphia office and established the Chicago-based firm’s Mediation and Dispute Resolution Practice. In addition to serving clients nationwide, Claudia is an integral part of the company’s East Coast team. At Novo, Claudia has worked as a fiduciary on several significant matters, including Epic! Creations, Inc. and related debtors where she currently serves as the Chapter 11 Trustee for the three companies with an aggregate debt of more than $1.5 billion. She has also served in various receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors, and liquidating trusts.
Most of Claudia’s distinguished legal career was as a Partner with Reed Smith LLP where she was also the Philadelphia office managing partner for several years. Prior to this, she worked as a Partner at Duane Morris. With both firms, she represented all major constituents in restructuring and bankruptcy cases including debtors, major creditors, shareholders, boards of directors, creditors’ committees, Chapter 11 trustees, landlords, buyers, plan sponsors, bondholders, and guarantors.
Claudia’s practice included litigating and mediating complex disputes involving classes of creditors, debtors, shareholders, insurers and insureds. She has appeared on behalf of clients in bankruptcy courts across the country.
Known for her versatility, Claudia has handled cases across diverse industries including healthcare (hospitals, medical practices, long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and nursing homes), heavy manufacturing, steel manufacturing/production, construction, chemicals, hotels, restaurant chains, and retail. She has mediated disputes among creditors of a large and insolvent estate which included over twenty lending institutions with competing interests.
Claudia is a trailblazer. She was recognized as one of America’s leading insolvency and corporate restructuring attorneys by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers for eighteen years straight. She was one of the youngest inductees into the American College of Bankruptcy, where she served on the Board for two terms. Claudia was recognized by America’s Best Lawyers, America’s Best Business Lawyers, and named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer.
Upon leaving the practice of law in 2021, Claudia joined Novo Advisors as a business consultant to pursue her passion to help mediate corporate disputes and guide companies through financial challenges. She has led teams in advising clients facing business setbacks and served in fiduciary capacities across various matters. Among her significant contributions at Novo is her appointment as a Chapter 11 Trustee — a role granted in less than one percent of such cases.
For Claudia, it’s never all about work. She is an avid global traveler and spends much of her time in Italy, a favorite destination. Most mornings by five, she can be found cycling on her Peloton. She also enjoys reading, attending theater, and dining out with friends. Claudia believes in giving back and serves on the Boards of the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia and the Women’s Animal Center. Previously, she served on the Boards of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and the American College of Bankruptcy.
Received the Best Lawyers® 2015 Litigation – Bankruptcy “Lawyer of the Year” award in Philadelphia
Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2006-2021
Selected for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list for Bankruptcy: Business, 2004-2020
Ranked in Chambers USA for Philadelphia & Surrounds Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2003-2021, Band 1
Inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy in 2002; became a member of its Board of Directors in 2013 and served for maximum number of terms; head of Distinguished Students Committee
Selected for inclusion in the Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers: Bankruptcy, 2020
A talented negotiator and advocate, Claudia came up with creative solutions enabling us to resolve complex disputes and issues, which helped our bottom line.”