Skadden Hires Two Paul Hastings Partners in New York, Chicago

Scott Heard and Matthew Murphy join Skadden's private credit and corporate restructuring practices.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP announced on Thursday that it has hired Scott Heard and Matthew Murphy as partners. Heard will lead Skadden's private credit practice, advising lenders and financial institutions on transactions such as acquisition financing and asset-backed loans. Murphy will join the firm's corporate restructuring group in Chicago, counseling distressed companies, creditors, and asset managers on insolvency matters. Both partners previously worked at Paul Hastings.

Why it matters

The hires of Heard and Murphy represent a strategic move by Skadden to bolster its capabilities in the growing private credit and corporate restructuring spaces, which have seen increased activity amid economic uncertainty. The additions also demonstrate Skadden's ability to attract top talent from rival firms.

The details

Heard will focus on advising private credit lenders and other financial institutions on sophisticated transactions, including acquisition financings, asset-backed and cash flow loans, and special situations financings. Murphy will counsel distressed companies, creditors, lenders, hedge funds, and asset managers on insolvency-related transactions and liability management exercises.

  • Skadden announced the hires on March 12, 2026.

The players

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP

A prominent international law firm headquartered in New York City.

Scott Heard

A new partner at Skadden who will lead the firm's private credit practice.

Matthew Murphy

A new partner at Skadden who will join the firm's corporate restructuring group in Chicago.

Paul Hastings

The law firm from which Heard and Murphy are joining Skadden.

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The takeaway

The additions of Heard and Murphy to Skadden's ranks demonstrate the firm's strategic focus on strengthening its capabilities in the private credit and corporate restructuring spaces, which have become increasingly important practice areas amid economic uncertainty.