It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our partner, esteemed colleague and dear friend, Donald “Don” Conway. Don was an integral part of the Mercadien team for 30 years, joining the firm in 1994. As a Managing Director and Principal, he served as the head of Mercadien’s Bankruptcy Practice for many years, as well as helped to co-lead the firm’s Forensic and Litigation Support Practice. He specialized in forensic accounting and fraud investigations, securities fraud, insolvency and reorganization, commercial litigation support, and financial consulting. He took a fascinating path to Mercadien, having previously served as controller of the New York Mets Baseball Club; executive director of the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), director of operations for the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament; USTA representative to the U.S. Olympic Committee; and as president of a major Six Flags theme park.

During his time at Mercadien, he worked on behalf of his clients and their legal counsel with the U.S. and NJ Attorneys General Offices, the NJ Bureau of Securities, the FBI, the SEC Enforcement Division, and the IRS. As evidence of the trust in his insights, responsiveness and communications, Don served in various trustee roles in a number of substantial, high-profile and long-term cases, most notably as Chapter 11 operating trustee in the bankruptcies of First Jersey Securities president, Robert E. Brennan, and the Golden Corral franchise restaurant chain, and as financial advisor to the trustees of the Birdsall engineering firm and Crazy Eddie retail store bankruptcies. 

As valued as he was for his contributions to the firm, he was just as valued for the relationships he built with people. A trusted resource for all of his clients, a dependable leader within his team, and most importantly – a treasured friend to us at Mercadien.

Entering 2024 with a profound sense of sadness, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and close friends of Don. May he rest in eternal peace, leaving behind a legacy that will not be forgotten.