Bankruptcy-Related Litigation & Transactions

TEAM NEWSROOM EVENTS PUBLICATIONS

Experience

Our bankruptcy litigators have extensive experience defending parties against bankruptcy causes of action and related claims, including preference and fraudulent conveyance claims, actions to turn over property to the bankruptcy estate, and all other types of litigation claims, including commercial torts, breach of fiduciary
duty, breach of contract, and fraud.

In addition, we have guided clients through various bankruptcy-related transactional matters, such as acquiring assets pursuant to Section 363 sales and advising clients as to due diligence, competitive bidding and the court-approval process.

Representative Matters

In re: Thomas Morford and Karen Morford, Bankr. Case No. 10-46534 (KCF), Civil Action No. 11-2586 (JAP)(D.N.J. 2012) - Successfully defended a lender when Judge Joel E. Pisano, U.S.D.J., affirmed the Bankruptcy Court's decision dismissing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing, which involved an attempt by the Debtors to cram down two subordinate mortgage liens on their residence. The New Jersey District Court's decision is significant because many borrowers in the current depressed real estate market are using the Chapter 13 cram down procedure to eliminate subordinate mortgage liens. The successful legal arguments advanced on behalf of our lender-client, when applied to other Chapter 13 cases, will sharply limit borrowers' eligibility for the Chapter 13 cram down.
Representing various Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 debtors and trustees in the sale of some or all of debtors' assets, including a restaurant franchise and an airport hotel, and the related negotiations/litigation with secured creditors, labor unions, landlords and other parties in interest.
Represented numerous defendants, including Tyco Adhesives, in the Delphi bankruptcy case to contest preference, fraudulent transfer and related claims in adversary proceedings.
Represented a major international consortium of diamond manufacturers in connection with the successful workout of debt owed to it by a U.S. entity in which it had invested $30 million.
Represented bankruptcy trustees to litigate fraudulent conveyance and state law claims to recover monies for the benefit of debtors’ estates.
Represented the petitioner in bankruptcy proceedings pertaining to 162-164 East 82nd Street (New York, NY), and their subsequent $17.5 million purchase at auction of the property, including a first mortgage loan for $7.2 million of the total purchase price.

Team +

Partners

Special Counsel

Counsel

Jay Samuels

Associates

Newsroom +

John Tepedino Speaks to University of Michigan Law Pub - Mar 19, 2025
Windels Marx Ranked by Best Law Firms® in 2025 - Nov 7, 2024
Super Lawyers Recognizes 2024 New York Metro and Rising Star Lawyers - Oct 24, 2024
The Best Lawyers Announces 2025 Nominees - 43 Windels Marx Lawyers Recognized - Aug 15, 2024
Wayne Cook, Jr., Angela Crowder, Eloy Peral Represent Lender in $135 Million Loan to Silver Star - Apr 2, 2024
John Tepedino Promoted to Partner - Nov 21, 2023
Windels Marx Ranked by Best Law Firms® in 2024 - Nov 2, 2023
For 2023, Super Lawyers Recognizes 13 Lawyers in New York Metro Edition and 6 Rising Stars - Oct 16, 2023
Best Lawyers in America 2024 Recognizes 30 Windels Marx Lawyers, 14 "Ones to Watch", 3 "Lawyers of the Year" - Aug 17, 2023
Wayne Cook, Jack Conboy Close $17.5 Million Aulder Capital Deal for 162-164 East 82nd Street - Aug 1, 2023
Windels Marx Named to the 2023 Roster of U.S. News – Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" - Nov 3, 2022
For 2022, Super Lawyers Recognizes 12 Lawyers in New York Metro Edition and 2 Rising Stars - Oct 11, 2022
Best Lawyers in America 2023 Recognizes 25 Windels Marx Lawyers, 9 Ones to Watch, 4 Lawyers of the Year - Aug 18, 2022
James Sullivan Talks to Crain's NY Business About Bankruptcy Asset Sales and Finding Gold Amidst the Ashes - Dec 6, 2021
For 2021, Super Lawyers Recognizes 18 Lawyers in New York Metro and Rising Stars Editions - Sep 30, 2021
Best Lawyers in America 2022 Recognizes 22 Windels Marx Lawyers, 9 Ones to Watch - Aug 19, 2021
Madoff Team Triumphs Again Before U.S. Supreme Court in $3B Overseas Clawback Case - Jun 1, 2021
Madoff Case Garners DOJ Support for $3B Fund Clawback from Overseas Banks - Apr 13, 2021
Rob Malatak Featured in Crain's NY Business "Ask the Expert" on Workouts, Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Litigation - Sep 15, 2020
Howard Simon Quoted on Potential Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP Bankruptcy - May 21, 2012
Rod Honecker Wins On Behalf of Lender Related to Bankruptcy Decision - Jan 24, 2012

Events +

Rob Malatak Moderates Bisnow Panel on Distressed Assets - Mar 14, 2025
Rob Malatak, Eloy Peral Join Bisnow on Distressed Assets - March 28th - Aug 20, 2024
James Sullivan Discusses Bankruptcy and Cryptocurrency with The Knowledge Group - Feb 15, 2023
COVID-19 - Upcoming Webinars on The Main Street Lending Program - May 20, 2020

Publications +

Bankruptcy Judge Upholds Lender-Imposed Independent Manager Consent Requirement for Borrower’s Bankruptcy Filing - Mar 21, 2025
Judgment Day: Enforcing Monetary Judgments Against Debtors - Apr 11, 2024
Summary Judgment In Lieu of Complaint: The Most Straight Forward but Nuanced Path to Judgment - Mar 12, 2024
U.S. Court Rejects Request for Email Service under Hague Service Convention - Jan 9, 2024
The 'Not So Simple' Lost Note Affidavit - Dec 12, 2023
Successor Entity Cannot Avoid Its Predecessor's Debts On Summary Judgment Per A Recent Commercial Division Decision - Oct 16, 2023
Debtors Can't Have Their Cake and Eat it Too: SDNY Bankruptcy Judge Rules that Hotel Must Pay Default Interest As Condition to Reinstating Loan - Aug 15, 2023
New Changes to Business Bankruptcy Law Enacted – But No Extension of the Increased Debt Threshold to Take Advantage of the Small Business Bankruptcy Law Implemented as Part of The CARES Act - Feb 11, 2021

Related Practice

Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights