Getting your ears pierced at Claire’s is almost a rite of passage for adults of a certain vintage. Your mother either brought you to Claire’s to get it done, or your mother yelled at you after you went to Claire’s to get it done with your friends. Either way, it’s highly likely that you, or someone you know, got their ears pierced at Claire’s. The trend continues on today, but unfortunately, with sales declining and the brand filing for its second bankruptcy in seven years, America’s youth may be deprived of the chance to get their ears pierced at Claire’s. Thankfully, one enterprising Biglaw partner pledged to solve that problem by literally “putting some skin in the game” to get it done.
Kirkland & Ellis bankruptcy partner Joshua Sussberg knew that no one wanted to see Claire’s go under, and he was willing to go to extremes to stop that from happening. The American Lawyer has details on what happened next:
[L]iquidating the 64-year-old retailer wasn’t what anyone at the August first day hearing wanted. Kirkland partner Alexandra Schwarzman said she got her ears pierced at Claire’s; so did Shannon’s daughter, the judge said. Then the Kirkland team held up a picture of Sussberg circa 1995, when he had his ears pierced at Claire’s as a high schooler.
“At the end of the hearing, I said, ‘Your honor, we are focused on preserving jobs and keeping stores open for a long time so many people can get their ears pierced. If we can get a deal done, I am willing to get my ears pierced,’” Sussberg recounted. “The judge said, ‘I’m going to hold you to that.’ He threw down the gauntlet.”
Not only did Sussberg find a buyer, but he’s a great sport and stayed true to his word to get his ears pierced. During a recent hearing, Sussberg got his left ear pierced in court by a Claire’s store veteran. He even got to wear a celebratory Claire’s crown while it happened. Click here to see the piercing in action.
Congratulations to Joshua Sussberg for helping to save the tradition of the youth of America getting their ears pierced at Claire’s.
Kirkland Partner’s Ear Piercing Marks Turning Point for Bankrupt Retailer [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post Biglaw Partner Gets His Ear Pierced During Court Hearing To Celebrate Saving Claire’s From Bankruptcy appeared first on Above the Law.
Getting your ears pierced at Claire’s is almost a rite of passage for adults of a certain vintage. Your mother either brought you to Claire’s to get it done, or your mother yelled at you after you went to Claire’s to get it done with your friends. Either way, it’s highly likely that you, or someone you know, got their ears pierced at Claire’s. The trend continues on today, but unfortunately, with sales declining and the brand filing for its second bankruptcy in seven years, America’s youth may be deprived of the chance to get their ears pierced at Claire’s. Thankfully, one enterprising Biglaw partner pledged to solve that problem by literally “putting some skin in the game” to get it done.
Kirkland & Ellis bankruptcy partner Joshua Sussberg knew that no one wanted to see Claire’s go under, and he was willing to go to extremes to stop that from happening. The American Lawyer has details on what happened next:
[L]iquidating the 64-year-old retailer wasn’t what anyone at the August first day hearing wanted. Kirkland partner Alexandra Schwarzman said she got her ears pierced at Claire’s; so did Shannon’s daughter, the judge said. Then the Kirkland team held up a picture of Sussberg circa 1995, when he had his ears pierced at Claire’s as a high schooler.
“At the end of the hearing, I said, ‘Your honor, we are focused on preserving jobs and keeping stores open for a long time so many people can get their ears pierced. If we can get a deal done, I am willing to get my ears pierced,’” Sussberg recounted. “The judge said, ‘I’m going to hold you to that.’ He threw down the gauntlet.”
Not only did Sussberg find a buyer, but he’s a great sport and stayed true to his word to get his ears pierced. During a recent hearing, Sussberg got his left ear pierced in court by a Claire’s store veteran. He even got to wear a celebratory Claire’s crown while it happened. Click here to see the piercing in action.
Congratulations to Joshua Sussberg for helping to save the tradition of the youth of America getting their ears pierced at Claire’s.
Kirkland Partner’s Ear Piercing Marks Turning Point for Bankrupt Retailer [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post Biglaw Partner Gets His Ear Pierced During Court Hearing To Celebrate Saving Claire’s From Bankruptcy appeared first on Above the Law.
