• A wave of restructurings and Chapter 11 filings has put a group of investors, lawyers, and bankers back in the spotlight.
  • Distress investing, which looks to take advantage of bankruptcies and other high-risk situations, struggled to find opportunities for years.
  • More opportunities and flow are also likely to come the way of Wall Street’s distressed-debt desks.
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The coronavirus has slammed global economies and sending company revenues plunging.

But the chaos is an opportunity for a group of advisers, traders, and investors who have been waiting years for a big shakeout.

Retailers including JCPenney and Neiman Marcus have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, along with energy names like Chesapeake Energy and Whiting Petroleum. The parent company of Chuck E. Cheese, the family fun center known for its playgrounds and skee-ball games, has also filed for bankruptcy protection.

As the economic fallout spreads, more opportunities are coming to the lawyers and bankers who advise troubled companies. There’s also likely to be more flow for Wall Street’s distressed-debt desks, which make markets in bonds and loans trading at discounted prices, as well as bankruptcy claims, litigation events, and other more complex and special situations.

Business Insider has spent the recent months cataloging the power players who are set for a big boost. Here are the firms and people you need to know.

Restructuring advisers

top restructuring lawyers 2x1

Foto: Source: Quinn Emanuel; Willkie Farr; Jones Day; Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Distressed debt trading heats up

wall street distressed debt trading 2x1

Foto: Source: Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Credit investing frenzy

power players of distressed investing 2x1
Foto: Source: Heidi Gutman/Getty Images; Apollo Global Management; John Lamparski/Getty Images; Blackstone Group; Ruobing Su/Business Insider