Marc Lasry
Marc Lasry is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, a global investment manager with $12 billion in assets specializing in distressed debt investing. Lasry is a renowned financial strategist and one of the pioneers of the distressed securities market, which has been the exclusive focus of his professional career for over 40 years. Previously, he co-founded Amroc Investments in association with the Robert Bass Group as a distressed investment partnership. Lasry is a former Co-Owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise. He reportedly sold a 25% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023, when the team was valued at $3.5 billion. In addition to Avenue, he also serves and will continue to serve on the board of directors/advisors of both for profit and not-for-profit public and private companies.
Marc Lasry Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
Academic History
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J.D., Law
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B.A., History
Avenue was founded in 1995 by Marc Lasry and Sonia Gardner, focused on distressed and undervalued debt and equity opportunities in the U.S., Asia and Europe.
Under his leadership, Avenue has grown to be one of the largest distressed debt investors globally.
Recently, the firm launched Avenue Sports Fund, an investment fund dedicated to sports dealmaking. The fund has emerged as a key backer in nascent and early-stage leagues.
EARLY CAREER
He was Co–Director of the Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization Department at Cowen & Company.
It was at Cowen that he caught the attention of the Texas investor Robert Bass, who was a client of the firm.
He served as Director of the Private Debt Department at Smith Vasiliou Management Company.
He spent the prior year practicing law at Angel & Frankel where he focused on bankruptcies.
After law school, he clerked for the Honorable Edward Ryan, former Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the Southern District of New York.
POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT
He is a major supporter of the Democratic Party, having raised funds for President Obama and candidate Hilary Clinton in the past.
He backed Kamala Harris in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, stating that he "would like to have somebody who’s in the middle".
In 2013, he was considered for the position of U.S. ambassador to France, but declined consideration for business reasons.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
As a former Co-Owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, he oversaw the team through a period of successful growth.
The Bucks had the worst record in the NBA when he purchased the team in 2014. Under his leadership the team won its first NBA championship in 50 years in 2021.
MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS
His insights are sought-after for speaking events with Reuters Global Investment Summit, the SALT Conference, the Young Presidents Organization, and more.
He has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Bloomberg, CNBC, The New York Times, and Financial Times, among others.