WASHINGTON, DC and NEW YORK – JANUARY 5, 2012 – Arent Fox LLP today announced that Mark B. Joachim has joined the firm as a partner in the firm's corporate and bankruptcy and financial restructuring practice groups. Mr. Joachim will reside primarily at Arent Fox's Washington, DC, office while working extensively at the firm's New York office as well.

Mr. Joachim is a restructuring and finance attorney with more than 20 years of experience counseling hedge funds, private equity funds, investors, lenders as well as corporate directors and officers, in a wide variety of complex transactions, corporate restructurings and distressed investing and financing.

"We are very pleased that Mark has joined us at Arent Fox," said partner Jay Halpern, who chairs the firm's corporate practice group. "He brings a strong background and skill set with him. His extensive experience in corporate finance, bankruptcy, and financial restructuring matters will widen and strengthen Arent Fox's already formidable ability to offer our corporate clients a fully integrated range of services during a time when many businesses are facing unprecedented financial challenges and opportunities."

Andrew Silfen, a partner in Arent Fox's New York office who chairs the firm's bankruptcy and financial restructuring practice group, said, "Mark is a well-respected and seasoned bankruptcy and corporate finance partner with a strong background in rescue, exit and post-petition financing as well as plan funding and distressed investing. He is an outstanding addition to our firm and we are very excited about Mark's ability to expand and broaden the depth of our finance and bankruptcy experience."

Mr. Joachim's practice focuses on corporate restructurings and complex financial transactions. He represents lenders, other creditors, official committees, ad hoc groups of creditors and debtor-in-possession lenders in connection with bankruptcy proceedings and out-of-court restructurings, as well as lenders in acquisition financings, structured financings, first and second lien financings, "rescue" financings and other leveraged finance transactions including leveraged buyouts, tender offers, and recapitalization.

Mr. Joachim is a frequent lecturer on topics such as intercreditor arrangements, distress investing, and fraudulent transfers at Columbia University School of Business, New York Law School, and various industry and financial conferences.

Mr. Joachim received his JD degree from Hofstra University School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.