Ryan B. Bennett

bennett

Education

  • J.D., Notre Dame Law School, ‘00
  • B.A., Michigan State University, Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy, ‘96

Extracurricular Activities While at NDLS

  • Thomas J. White Center on Law & Government; Issue Editor, Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy;
  • G.A.L.I.L.E.E.

Employment

Associate, Kirkland & Ellis
Chicago, IL

Insights Regarding My Area of Practice

I represent large corporations, most of which endeavor to restructure their finances and operations via Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. I suppose what I like most about corporate bankruptcy practice is that it often involves interesting aspects of both litigation and transactional law at the same time. On any given day, in the morning, I may be running to court for a hearing to contest a motion. While, in the same afternoon, I’ll find myself negotiating the sale of a large portion of my client’s business. Together, the dynamic characteristics of my practice combined with the incredibly talented professionals with whom I work, create the optimum learning environment for a younger lawyer such as myself.

On the Alumni Network:

“Upon graduation from NDLS, my association with of the Notre Dame family did not wane, but rather grew even greater as I moved forward with my career. Despite my often busy schedule, on an almost daily basis, I reach out to members of the Notre Dame community, whether it be offering advice about law school or law firm life, or assisting a recent graduate in her job search. It is with great pride that I extend my help to these persons as such was done to me by an NDLS alumnus when I was an undergraduate. I remember vividly how instrumental his career advice was to me in a rather uncertain and uncharted time in my life. And, more importantly, I remember his only request in return was that I do the same when asked by another. It is with great pride that I continually honor his request – a request that is so selfless and so indicative of what is Notre Dame.”

On the Notre Dame Law School Experience:

“It is a given that Notre Dame is among the nation’s best law schools. However, it is important to note that for most students who end up choosing Notre Dame, the ultimate decision tends to be based on something more than just the popular measures of law school excellence (i.e., national placement, recognition, academic excellence, etc.). While Notre Dame does exceedingly well in all of these categories, the Notre Dame experience itself has an additional and unique appeal, one that is more metaphysical as opposed to tangible. It is therefore important that candidates interested in the law school seek out the elements of this special appeal – reach out to alumni, visit the school and meet with current students and faculty. Indeed, the special attributes of Notre Dame are found not in her beautiful buildings or the impressive statistics of her graduates, but rather exist in the members of the Notre Dame community who embody and ensure the continuance of certain shared values of acceptance, community and social awareness. As such, I am confident that the decision to attend Notre Dame results in much more than just an excellent law school experience, but rather something far more enriching – a Notre Dame experience.”