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Krystal R. Mikkilineni

Member

Krystal R. Mikkilineni advises businesses, lenders, creditors, trustees, and other stakeholders in complex restructurings, insolvency matters, distressed transactions, and bankruptcy proceedings nationwide. Her practice focuses on helping clients navigate financial distress through strategic solutions, including Chapter 11 reorganizations, out-of-court workouts, distressed mergers and acquisitions, and bankruptcy-related litigation.

With experience spanning healthcare, senior living, manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, and industrial sectors, Krystal has represented debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, landlords, committees, and purchasers in some of the most challenging restructuring matters. She has successfully led and litigated hearings involving asset sales, debtor-in-possession financing, cash collateral, plan confirmation, contract assumption/rejection, and other contested bankruptcy matters. Her work regularly involves guiding clients through transactions that preserve enterprise value, maintain operations, and create pathways for long-term success.

Education

J.D., with honors, Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, 2013, Business Law Certificate
B.A., magna cum laude, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 2009

Recognitions

  • Chambers USA 2026: Recognized in Corporate/M&A for her restructuring, insolvency, and bankruptcy work, Iowa Band 4. Krystal has been recognized since 2024.
  • Best Lawyers in America® 2026: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy. Krystal has been recognized since 2024.
  • Best Lawyers® 2026 Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year” in the Des Moines metro.
  • The M&A Advisor 18th Annual Turnaround Award – Restructuring of the Year ($10MM to $50MM), restructuring and sale of QHC Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Centers, 2023.
  • American Bankruptcy Institute 40 under 40 Program, 2021.
  • International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Rising Star Semi-Finalist, 2021.
  • The M&A Advisor’s 12 th Annual Emerging Leaders Award, 2021.
  • Next Generation Program of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, one of 40 participants, 2019.
  • The M&A Advisor 13th Annual Turnaround Award – Industrials Deal of the Year (Under $100MM), Acquisition of Wellman Dynamics Corporation by TCTM Financial, 2019.
  • The M&A Advisor 17th Annual M&A Advisor Award – Industrials Deal of the Year ($50MM–$100MM), Acquisition of Wellman Dynamics Corporation by TCTM Financial, 2018.
  • The M&A Advisor 12th Annual Turnaround Award – Section 363 Sale of the Year ($10MM to $25MM), Sale of Central Iowa Healthcare (CIH) assets to Allen Health Systems, Inc. (UnityPoint), 2018

Memberships

  • State Bar of Arizona, Member
  • Arizona Women Lawyers Association
  • National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, 2024
    • NextGen Committee Member
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
    • 40 Under 40 Steering Committee, 2023
  • International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC)
    • Arizona Network, Chair, 2026 – Present
    • International Board of Directors
      • U.S. Regional Co-Director, 2026 – Present
      • Vice Director of News, 2025 – 2026
    • Midwest Network, Immediate Past Chair, 2025
    • Midwest Network, Chair, 2022- 2024
    • Midwest Network, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer, 2019
  • Bankruptcy Seminars, Inc.
    • President, 2025
    • Vice President, 2024
  • Federal Bar Association
    • Iowa Chapter
      • President, 2022 – 2025
      • Board Member, 2015 – 2025
      • Secretary, 2016 – 2019
    • Arizona Chapter
  • Iowa State Bar Association
    • Commercial & Bankruptcy Law Section Council Member
  • Polk County Bar Association
  • Turnaround Management Association, Chicago/Midwest Chapter & Arizona Chapter
    • TMA Network of Women (NOW) Committee, Co-Chair, 2022

State Bar Licenses

Arizona, Iowa, Washington

Court Admissions

U S. Bankruptcy Ct., C.D. of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
U.S. District Ct., District of Arizona
U.S. District Ct., District of Nebraska
U.S. District Ct., N.D. of Iowa
U.S. District Ct., S.D. of Iowa
U.S. Bankruptcy Ct., District of Nebraska
U.S. Bankruptcy Ct., District of Arizona
U.S. Bankruptcy Ct., N.D of Iowa
U.S. Bankruptcy Ct., S.D of Iowa

Organizations

Chrysalis Foundation

  • Board of Directors, 2021-2025

Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, Community Leadership Program

  • Member, 2021-2022 class

Lupus Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter

  • Board Member, 2016-2021
  • Walk to End Lupus Committee Member, 2016-2019

Presentations

  • “Approaches to Financial Distress in the Agriculture Sector,” American Bankruptcy Institute Winter Leadership Conference, December 2025
  • “Distress in Long Term Care,” American Health Law Association Long-Term and Post-Acute Care Law and Compliance Conference, February 2025
  • “Bankruptcy Basics,” Lincoln Inne of Court, November 2024
  • “Chapter 12 Bankruptcy: Debt or Alive?,” National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, Behind the Bench, November 2024
  • “Chapter 9: An Overview,” Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors 40th Annual Bankruptcy & Restructuring Conference, June 2024
  • “What Can Be Done About Financial Distress in U.S. Nursing Home Care?,” Iowa Health Care Association, May 2024
  • “What Can Be Done About Financial Distress in U.S. Nursing Home Care?,” Iowa Hospital Association, April 2024
  • “Litigating Contested Motions in Bankruptcy,” Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, February 2024
  • “What Can Be Done About Financial Distress in Nursing Home Care,” Iowa Health Care Association, December 2023
  • “363 Sales/Bankruptcy Auctions, All-Iowa Bankruptcy Conference,” September 2023
  • “Assume the Worst! Analysis of Current Court Treatment of Executory Contracts,” The Honorable Robert E. Ginsberg Annual Program on Commercial Bankruptcy, Chicago Bar Association, April 2023
  • “Healthcare Transactions in a Distressed Environment,” American Health Law Association, Long Term & Post-Acute Care Law & Compliance, March 2023
  • “Reflections on Career Transitions from Seasoned IWIRC Members,” Moderator, International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation 29th Annual Fall Conference, October 2022
  • “Consumer: Buy Here/Pay Here, Buy Now/Pay Later & Missing Collateral,” American Bankruptcy Institute Midwest Bankruptcy Institute, October 2022
  • “Emergency Petitions,” All-Iowa Bankruptcy Conference, Iowa Chapter of the Federal Bar Association & Bankruptcy Seminars, Inc., July 2022
  • “Assume the Worst – Executory Contract Law in 2022,” American Bankruptcy Institute Central States Workshop, June 2022
  • “Third-Party Releases,” Iowa State Bar Association Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Seminar, April 2022
  • “Which Bankruptcy Would You File?,” All-Iowa Bankruptcy Conference, Iowa Chapter of Federal Bar Association & Bankruptcy Seminars, Inc., November 2021
  • “Bankruptcy for Small Business: Considerations and Steps,” Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit, November 2020
  • “2019 Bankruptcy Reform & the Small Business Reorganization Act,” U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington Bench/Bar Meetings, January 2020

Publications

  • Author, “Medical Record Challenges in Healthcare Bankruptcies and Business Closures,” American Bankruptcy Institute, September 2024
  • Author, “Chapter 9 Hospital Bankruptcies,” American Bankruptcy Institute Health Newsletter, August 2023
  • Co-Author, “Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses & the SBRA,” Iowa Society of CPAs, January 2021
  • Co-Author, Chapter 12 “A to Z – A Guide to Bankruptcies of Family Farmers and Family Fisherman,” American Bankruptcy Institute, 2021

Media

  • Quoted, “Nursing homes at risk as more companies file bankruptcy,” Modern Healthcare, August 2023
  • Quoted, “Agency dependence may lead to more nursing home bankruptcies: legal experts,” McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, March 2023
  • Agricultural Transportation Company (Subchapter V Chapter 11): Represented the debtor in a Subchapter V Chapter 11 reorganization for an agricultural transportation company.
  • Senior Living Facility Transaction: Represented the seller of a nursing home and assisted living facility in a merger and acquisition transaction.
  • Agricultural Operation (Chapter 11): Represented a client and nine affiliated companies as debtors in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case filed in the District of Idaho Bankruptcy Court. Assisted the client in obtaining a priming DIP loan to support continued operations during the Chapter 11 process.
  • Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living Facilities (Chapter 11): Represented 10 related skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in Chapter 11 bankruptcies that resulted in the successful confirmation of a plan of liquidation. The matter involved complex negotiations with state and federal government entities, secured lenders, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, and the United States Trustee.
  • Committee of Unsecured Creditors Representation (Chapter 11): Represented the Committee of Unsecured Creditors in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas.
  • Agricultural Growers (Involuntary Chapter 7): Represented a consortium of agricultural growers in successfully obtaining dismissal of an involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding.
  • Manufacturer (Out-of-Court Restructuring): Represented a manufacturing company in an out-of-court restructuring and sale of its business. Negotiated with the senior secured lender and buyer to facilitate a distressed sale that preserved operations and jobs within the community.
  • Beef Processing Company (Chapter 11): Represented the senior secured lender throughout the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
  • Vending Services Company (Chapter 11, Subchapter V): Represented the debtor in the sale of its business through a Subchapter V bankruptcy.
  • Healthcare Receivership: Represents the landlord of several nursing home facilities in a receivership action involving the facilities’ operator.
  • Aerospace Manufacturing Company (Chapter 11): Represented an aerospace aluminum and magnesium casting company in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Successfully advocated for a Section 363 auction sale process, resulting in the sale of the company to the highest and best bidder.
  • Regional Hospital (Chapter 11): Represented the debtor in an approximately $12 million Section 363 sale of a hospital, preserving hundreds of jobs and maintaining healthcare services for the community.
  • Vehicle Rental Company (Chapter 11): Represented an unsecured creditor throughout the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
  • Steel Manufacturing Company (Chapter 11): Represented a steel casting company in the sale of substantially all of its assets through a Section 363 sale, followed by confirmation of a plan of liquidation. The transaction enabled the company to continue operations and retain hundreds of jobs.
  • Bicycle Importer and Distributor (Chapter 11): Represented an importer of bicycles, parts, and accessories in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy involving a Section 363 sale and subsequent plan of liquidation.
  • Large Farming Operation (Chapter 11): Represented a farming enterprise specializing in row crop production, cattle feeding operations, and equipment sales. Successfully completed Section 363 sales of the farming and feedlot divisions and confirmed a reorganization plan for the equipment sales division.
  • Manufacturer (Out-of-Court Workout and Sale): Represented a distressed manufacturing company in an out-of-court workout, negotiation, and sale of the business.

The Clark Hill approach is equally pragmatic and growth-minded, which is why we understand our clients’ toughest business challenges. Our multidisciplinary, global team of advisors focuses on smart legal solutions, delivered simply.

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