Alison Elko Franklin has made a major impact on the restructuring and insolvency sector through strategic insight, legal expertise and consistent leadership. As a Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, she handles corporate reorganizations, distressed transactions and bankruptcy litigation. Her work spans Chapter 11, municipal restructurings under Chapter 9 and international matters under Chapter 15.
Franklin is known for her legal skill and deep service to the profession. She was the first woman to serve as President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and now acts as a Global Trustee and Co-Chair of the 2025 Distressed Investing Conference. She also serves on the International Board of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, helping lead global professional programming.
Her client work includes confirming a $100 million Chapter 9 plan that restored municipal solvency and ensured full creditor repayment — an uncommon success. She also guided the restructuring of American Addiction Centers during the COVID-19 crisis, preserving thousands of jobs and stabilizing a healthcare provider with over $550 million in debt.
Franklin’s commitment extends beyond transactions. She co-founded pro bono efforts like the Low-Income Creditor Assistance Project and the Reaffirmation Project, offering legal aid to underserved individuals navigating bankruptcy. These programs have helped hundreds and earned recognition from the Atlanta Bar Association.
She has received numerous honors including the David W. Pollard Award for ethics and professionalism in bankruptcy, the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40” and national listings in Best Lawyers in America and Lawdragon 500.
Franklin also mentors rising professionals and promotes diversity through leadership in women-focused industry groups. She has helped implement policies that support work-life balance, equitable opportunity and professional development.
Her career reflects a rare blend of technical mastery and people-first leadership, positioning her as a transformative force in the legal and financial communities.
