Dan Kamensky

Biography

Professor Kamensky is the Co-Director of the Altman-Paulson Initiative on Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Financial Distress at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University where he is also an Adjunct Professor. He is also the Executive Director of the Bankruptcy Workshop organized by the Initiative and held at NYU Stern.

Professor Kamensky has nearly 25 years of industry experience with a strong track record of success in special situations and distressed investing across the capital structure, in both public and private markets. He is also a well-regarded attorney who regularly advises some of the most sophisticated financial institutions on navigating distressed situations.

Professor Kamensky is the Founder of the Creditor Rights Coalition, a nonprofit association established to serve as the leading voice representing all stakeholders with an interest in protecting creditor rights. The Coalition promotes transparency, accountability and equality to ensure fair and robust stakeholder participation in bankruptcy proceedings by monitoring judicial, legislative and regulatory matters associated with bankruptcy-related issues. 

He is also the former managing partner and chief investment officer of an opportunistic distressed hedge fund that was recognized as a leading manager by Absolute Return Magazine for two consecutive years. In 2016, the firm received the prestigious Absolute Return Award for Best New Fund. Prior to founding his firm, Mr. Kamensky was a Partner at Paulson & Co. Inc., and held various senior positions at Barclays Capital and Lehman Brothers in their Distressed & Special Situations Groups. Mr. Kamensky began his career as an attorney at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Professor Kamensky is a frequent lecturer at undergraduate and postgraduate business and law schools. He has also testified and written extensively on bankruptcy and restructuring topics.

Professor Kamensky received his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University.

Courses Taught

• Restructuring and Distressed Investing (FINC-UB 17)

Academic Background

J.D.
Georgetown University Law Center

B.A., American Studies
Georgetown University

Selected Publications

(2024)
The Rise of the Private Equity Sponsor in Possession and Implications for Sponsor mis(Behavior)
University of Pennsylvania Law Review Online (forthcoming)

(2015)
A More Balanced View of the Chapter 11 Process
American Bankruptcy Journal

(2014)
Furthering the Goals of Chapter 11
American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review

(2012)
Written Statement on behalf of Managed Funds Association for the American Bankruptcy Institute
Field Hearing on Chapter 11 Reform