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Practices & Industries

Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring

Riker Danzig's experience and knowledge in bankruptcy litigation, corporate reorganization, real estate restructurings, and nonbankruptcy insolvency proceedings allow us a strong practice on a national platform. Our bankruptcy lawyers have been recognized by a number of outside sources for its strength in New Jersey, as well as in the Northeast United States. For example, our bankruptcy law group has been highly ranked among New Jersey bankruptcy practices by Chambers U.S.A. since 2007, and is described therein as "famed for its impeccable work on behalf of secured creditors" and "brimming with quality." "An accomplished group of practitioners with experience in bankruptcy litigation and Chapter 11 reorganizations.  Considerable expertise in healthcare-related insolvencies and real estate restructurings, as well as asbestos-related bankruptcies.  The team is well versed in representing all parties, including secured creditors and creditor committees as well as trustees and debtors."  Chambers sources say, "Their technical and in-court legal capabilities exceed expectations."  "They all work well together to provide seamless help for their clients." Sources also describe our team as "responsive, thorough and professional, providing excellent explanations of the bankruptcy proceedings and issues, and comprehensive advice." Sources said "they represent the highest standards of any New Jersey firm I have worked with," and "they are very communicative, with reasonable rates."  Chambers also quotes clients who praise our group's strong work representing indenture trustees.  Clients state that the Firm "maintains a great balance, does a great job of keeping us informed and secures great outcomes in tough situations," "this firm never fails to impress me – they are extremely thorough and always very well prepared," and "the attorneys are all very technically capable."  Since its inaugural book in 2010, our bankruptcy law practice has been ranked in Tier 1 for New Jersey firms in the U.S. News and World Report-Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" rankings.  See Awards and Honors Methodology.

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Drawing upon the resources of our bankruptcy expertise, as well as the firm's varied litigation, corporate, healthcare, real estate, environmental and public finance expertise, the firm has earned a nationwide reputation for its representation of secured creditors, debtors, indenture trustees, creditors’ committees, Chapter 11 and 7 trustees, landlords, asset purchasers, equipment lessors, bondholders, private equity groups, receivers and assignees for the benefit of creditors, as well as third party plan proponents (i.e., takeovers) in all aspects of litigation under the Bankruptcy Code.

Our bankruptcy group began in the early 1970s as a natural outgrowth of our longstanding representation of banks and commercial trade creditors.  Through this practice, we developed a strong expertise in representing various stakeholders in all aspects of insolvency proceedings, wherein we regularly become involved in all aspects of motion practice and litigation, including negotiating cash collateral and post-petition financing orders, litigating motions for relief from the stay, determining the nondischargeability of debts, negotiating and/or litigating contested plans of reorganization, addressing Uniform Commercial Code lien enforcement, reclaiming collateral, litigating valuation hearings, and prosecuting and/or defending avoidance actions, which include preference and fraudulent transfer actions nationwide.

Over the past few years, we have played a significant role in several well-known or large bankruptcy proceedings, including:

  • Icon Eyewear, Inc. (official unsecured creditors' committee)
  • Frank Theatres Bayonne/South Cove, LLC et. al. (official unsecured creditors' committee)
  • Cocoa Services, LLC and Morgan Drive Associates, LLC (debtors)
  • Cenveo, Inc. (indenture trustee)
  • Transmar Commodity Group Ltd. (debtor)
  • St. Michael’s Medical Center (nurses’ union/chair of unsecured creditors’ committee)
  • TransVantage Solutions, Inc. (various freight carrier defendants sued in alleged Ponzi scheme)
  • Passaic healthcare Services, LLC (primary equipment lessor)
  • RadioShack (creditor & multi-million dollar preference defendant)
  • Madoff (mediator and arbitrator in world’s largest Ponzi scheme)
  • Lehman Brothers (mediator and various creditors)
  • ECNJ Properties, LLC (secured lender)
  • Imaging Center of Oradell (lender)
  • G-1 Holdings Corp. (d/b/a GAF Materials Corporation) (debtor)
  • Bayonne Medical Center (master trustee)
  • MicroBilt Corporation (creditor)
  • Lumara Health (indenture trustee)
  • Neighborhood Health Services Corp. (counterparty to primary billing contract)
  • Corporate Resource Services, Inc. (creditor)
  • IMRIS Inc. (creditor)
  • Luis A. Garcia (secured lender)
  • Munish Sawhney (various judgment creditors)

Other well-known bankruptcy proceedings in which the firm played a significant role include:

  • Oxford Building Systems, Inc. (official unsecured creditors' committee)
  • Kara Homes, Inc. (secured creditor)
  • Solomon Dwek (various secured creditors in Ponzi scheme)
  • Murphy Marine Services, Inc. (secured indenture trustee)
  • Christ Hospital (nurses’ union/member of official unsecured creditors’ committee)
  • Hudson healthcare, Inc. / Hoboken University Medical Center (nurses’ union/member of official unsecured creditors’ committee)
  • FPA Medical Management Inc. (indenture trustee/chairman of official unsecured creditors’ committee/liquidating trustee)
  • Kiwi International Air Lines, Inc. (secured creditor)
  • Emerson Radio Corp. (secured bank committee)
  • United healthcare, Inc. (the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey) (official unsecured creditors’ committee)
  • Encap Golf Holdings LLC (bond trustee)
  • Budget Rent-a-Car, Inc. (indenture trustee)
  • Pascack Valley Hospital Association, Inc. (official unsecured creditors’ committee)
  • St. Mary's Hospital (nurse's union)
  • Signature Apparel Group, LLC (debtor)
  • Spheris, Inc. (indenture trustee)
  • W.R. Grace & Co. (member of property damage creditors’ committee)
  • Combustion Engineering, Inc. (insurer)
  • Eastern Air Lines, Inc. (collateral indenture trustee)
  • Prime Motor Inns, Inc. (indenture trustee)
  • Continental Airlines, Inc. (collateral indenture trustee)
  • Lionel Corporation (indenture trustee)
  • Resorts International, Inc. (indenture trustee)

 

Our Team

Joseph L. Schwartz

Joseph L. Schwartz
Partner

Curtis M. Plaza

Curtis M. Plaza
Partner

Tara J. Schellhorn

Tara J. Schellhorn
Partner

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