The American Lawyer has named Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP partner Donald S. Bernstein among its 2010 "Dealmakers of the Year." Bernstein, head of Davis Polk’s Insolvency and Restructuring practice and current Chair of the National Bankruptcy Conference, was recognized for his work on Ford Motor Company’s debt restructuring and Delphi’s emergence from bankruptcy.

Bernstein represented Ford on its debt restructuring plans, which allowed the company to retire $9.9 billion of debt. The series of transactions included a conversion offer for its outstanding convertible debt and tender offers by Ford Motor Credit Company for Ford’s outstanding unsecured bonds and senior secured term loans. It is believed to be the largest out-of-court recapitalization by an industrial company on record.

With respect to Delphi’s $4.5 billion debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, Bernstein advised JPMorgan Chase as administrative agent to the DIP lenders, in connection with the unprecedented credit bid made by the lenders to acquire Delphi.

The American Lawyer’s 2010 “Dealmakers of the Year” were honored in the magazine’s April issue.