People

When Washington, D.C., restaurateur Richard Cervera filed for personal bankruptcy last year, he didn’t tell the court that he had gained a slice of ownership in several Capitol Hill restaurants just nine days prior.

Nor did he mention that he was negotiating a $200,000-a-year salary with the other owners who teamed up to buy the storied Hawk ‘n’ Dove, Molly Malone’s and six other restaurants from Mr. Cervera’s brother, Xavier.

In most instances, becoming a bankruptcy judge is an achievement that comes as a capstone to an already successful legal career.

For Ralph Mabey, that hallmark came at a much different time—when he was a 34-year-old lawyer who had never practiced bankruptcy law.

Energy Future Holdings Corp.’s $42 billion bankruptcy will remain in Delaware, a judge said Thursday, dashing the hopes of unhappy creditors who wanted to see the big Chapter 11 case moved to the company’s home state of Texas. The Wall Street Journal has the Daily Bankruptcy Review article here.

Jeffrey Gleit showed his versatility as a bankruptcy lawyer at some of the largest restructuring firms in the country, but his recent move to Togut Segal & Segal LLP was about getting back to what he loves most: representing debtors.