Takata: The Global Car Crash

Robert Sartin, the chairman of Frost Brown Todd (FBT), has been one of the prime movers behind the firm’s growth and forward momentum. In 2009, in the wake of the OEM bailouts, Robert demonstrated his leadership when he convened FBT’s Automotive Industry Task Force and later relocated his practice to Nashville where he helped the firm capitalize on the region’s burgeoning auto space. Today, the Automotive Industry Team is among the firm’s most esteemed and accomplished teams; their annual symposium, AutoConnect, draws thought leaders and industry titans from around the globe.

Throughout his decades-long career, Robert has worked in some of the most heavily regulated sectors – from the coal and auto industries, to new ventures in health care and biopharmaceuticals – often acting as lead outside counsel for large national and multinational companies. Robert routinely advises clients on important contractual, transactional, tax and compliance matters, including asset and stock acquisitions, M&A’s, joint venture formation and dissolution, private placements, tax planning, refinancings and corporate restructurings.

Robert also oversees an active practice, fully committed to providing clients with reliable, value-added counsel. As chairman, Robert oversees all 12 of FBT’s offices as well as the firm’s ancillary business ventures. He serves or has served on the Strategic Planning, Finance, Advancement, and Executive Committees.

Alicia B. Masse founded Alderney Advisors in 2013, a business advisory firm providing sound financial and strategic solutions for stakeholders in high-risk, high-stakes challenging situations. In its third year, Alderney was selected to support 15 global automotive clients in one of the largest global recalls in automotive history providing coordinator and financial advisory services.

Having led over 100 distressed engagements, Masse has a proven track record for leadership in global, multi-cultural, diverse environments creating opportunities for stakeholders to achieve optimal solutions to difficult and complex situations.

Prior to founding Alderney, Masse served as the Midwest Restructuring Leader and Global Automotive Supplier Risk Network Leader for EY. She created a robust global restructuring network of EY practitioners allowing response to global clients with global supply risk issues within 24 hours of engagement, spanning the US, China, Europe and Canada.

Masse’s early career began in audit at Arthur Andersen, with significant experience at Ford Motor Company Finance and BBK, a boutique restructuring firm serving the automotive industry. Educated at the University of Michigan, she earned an MBA in finance and strategy. Masse serves on three non-profit boards in Detroit, Belle Isle Conservancy and the Detroit Institute of Arts Auxiliary Board, Friends of Asian Arts and Culture.

Mr. Klein is a partner in Davis Polk’s Corporate Department, practicing in the Restructuring Group. He has substantial experience on a wide range of restructurings and bankruptcies, in and out of court.

Mark has been advising clients about creative, business-oriented solutions to matters involving financial distress for the past 25 years. Mark is a goal driven problem solver whose clients benefit from the creative, pragmatic and strategic perspective that he brings to each engagement.

During his career, Mark’s engagements have involved a substantial number of different business sectors. He has led recent restructuring engagements in the following business sectors - automotive; metals, plastics, tool & die and other manufacturing; coal mining; oil & gas; healthcare; restaurant franchises; transportation and logistics.

Derek represents Fortune 1000, local, international and other organizations as lead or Delaware counsel in bankruptcy proceedings and litigation on behalf of debtors, creditors, official and ad hoc committees and transactional case constituents.

Derek regularly works with debtors-in-possession (“DIP”) and exit financing lenders, as well as outside and inside counsel, turnaround professionals, crisis management firms, and investment and non-investment bank professionals. His recent client representations include AT&T Inc., General Motors Corporation, Quality Care Properties, Philips International, Viacom Inc., TD Bank, and Nortel Networks.

Derek is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, receiving a B.S. in 1987. He has made the honor, leadership, and discipline that are the hallmarks of that institution the cornerstones of his professional career. In 2016, he was invited to join the 28th Class of Fellows of the American College of Bankruptcy. In 2018, he was presented the Delaware State Bar Association’s Access to Justice Commitment Award, recognizing his sterling commitment to pro bono work throughout his career. In 2011, he was the recipient of the Caleb R. Layton III Service Award, given by the judges of the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Delaware to an attorney who personifies the qualities of a federal practitioner: legal acumen, professional decorum, and public service. Derek’s Delaware community activities are frequent and diverse ranging from assisting the Delaware Legal Services Community with fundraising activities, to serving as legal counsel for a variety of indigent clients through Delaware Volunteer Legal Services. He chairs the Morris Nichols pro bono committee and sits on the Firm’s recruiting committee.

He frequently presents before national and Delaware bar associations, bankruptcy organizations and other business and professional audiences. His client and peer recommendations are numerous and have resulted in his recognition by Chambers USA: Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.