Jay Goffman has never been one to follow the script. Over a four-decade legal career, he helped rewrite the rules of corporate restructuring, earning a reputation as one of the field’s most innovative minds.
Now co-founder and co-CEO of Smith Goffman Partners, Goffman continues advising clients in financial distress — a natural progression from his years as Global Head of Corporate Restructuring at Skadden. There, he helped build one of the world’s top restructuring practices, handling landmark cases like MGM Studios and LyondellBasell.
Goffman is credited with inventing the “prepackaged” restructuring model, allowing companies to execute complex reorganizations faster and with less cost. It’s a contribution that earned him induction into multiple Halls of Fame, and being named one of the Most Influential Lawyers of the Decade by the National Law Journal and a DealMaker of the Year by the American Lawyer.
After retiring from Skadden, he held senior advisory roles at Rothschild and Teneo before launching his own merchant banking firm with financier Steven Smith. Smith Goffman Partners aims to blend legal, financial and strategic expertise into a nimble merchant banking firm focused on practical solutions.
Major restructurings of Goffman have included American Airlines, America West Airlines, SunEdison, CEDC, Charter, Evergreen Aviation and scores of others. His work has spanned traditional Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court restructurings, Prepacks and international reorganizations.
Beyond the boardroom, Goffman has been honored for his mentorship and philanthropy, including receiving Catholic Renewal’s St. Francis Service Award, AJC’s National Human Relations Award, UNC’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Tina’s Wish’s Mentorship Award and Citizens NYC’s 50th Gala Award.
For Goffman, success has never been just about the deal. At the end of the day, it’s about helping people find the right path forward for that unique situation.
With Smith Goffman, he’s betting that a leaner, more hands-on model is the future of restructuring — one informed by experience and built to move fast.
