Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation Appoints Jonathan Henes, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, to Board of Directors

NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation, a program that has granted more than $2.3 million in college scholarships to 96 children of firefighters and victims of the September 11 attacks as well as other U.S. disasters, today announced that that Jonathan S. Henes, a partner in the Restructuring Group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, has joined the Foundation's Board of Directors. Mr. Henes will serve a three-year term.

The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation was founded in response to the tragic loss of Michael Lynch, a son, brother, fiance, uncle and New York City firefighter who sacrificed his life on September 11 in order to save others. Facing the ultimate loss, the Lynch family saw an opportunity to help finance the education of young people who were affected by the attacks and other disasters as a living tribute to Michael. The goal of the Foundation is to provide the means to help change the world, one person at a time, by helping the students of today become tomorrow's stewards of peace and freedom.

Mr. Henes first became involved with the Foundation through his friendship with Fred Lynch, one of Michael's brothers, who is chief executive officer of Masonite Corporation and treasurer of the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation. In 2010, Mr. Henes served as the Honorary Chairman of the Foundation's 8th Annual Dinner, which raised more than $500,000.

"I am truly honored to be invited to join the Board of Directors of the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation and am humbled to be the first non-family member to join the Board," Mr. Henes said. "It has been a privilege to work with the extended Lynch family and their many friends and supporters to help children of firefighters and other victims of the September 11 attacks and other disasters afford higher education. The Lynch family's collective resolve to respond to adversity with courage, strength, compassion and hope is an inspiration. As a member of the Board, I look forward to playing an even more active role in building awareness of the Foundation's mission, philanthropic approach and enduring commitment to providing scholarships to our future leaders."

Mr. Henes, 42, is recognized as one of the nation's leading restructuring lawyers. He has led some of the most complex restructurings in the United States and abroad for companies in a variety of industries, including media, chemicals, energy, manufacturing, real estate, retail and telecommunications. Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business, has listed Jon as a leading lawyer for the past three years, noting that he is "one of the sector's future leaders" and is "astonishingly knowledgeable and determined." His work was recently recognized by the Turnaround Management Association, which selected the Wellman restructuring as its 2009 Large Turnaround of the Year.

Mr. Henes appears frequently on CNBC and writes extensively, publishing blogs and op-eds in CNBC.com, The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Deal, The Wall Street Journal Bankruptcy Beat and Forbes.com. He has lectured at Harvard Business School, New York University, Wharton Business School and Cardozo Law School, and is also an adjunct professor at Cardozo Law School.

"We are thrilled to extend an invitation to Jon to join the Board of Directors," Fred Lynch said. "Jon has been a close friend of the family and a steadfast champion of the Foundation's mission. Our family is grateful for Jon's many years of hard work and dedication and we are confident he is the best person to help us carry out our mission and honor Michael's memory."

Additional information about the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation, including activities to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, is available online at www.mlynch.org.

SOURCE The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation