Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring

The bankruptcy attorneys of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler provide innovative and trenchant advocacy in all aspects of bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and financial restructuring. Known for achieving favorable results, the practice advises businesses, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors’ committees, and financial institutions in reorganization and bankruptcy proceedings, workouts, refinancings, and restructurings. The practice is regional, national, and international in scope.

The Firm’s bankruptcy lawyers, admitted to practice before bankruptcy courts in numerous states, have represented clients throughout the country and abroad.

In all matters, the bankruptcy department’s representation is enhanced by the Firm’s robust practices in banking, real estate, corporate, and tax law, as well as litigation. Lawyers from multiple practice groups work in concert to help clients emerge from bankruptcy proceedings in strong financial condition. The Firm’s efforts have consistently led to outstanding results for a variety of debtor and creditor clients.

The Firm has served as counsel to creditors' committees in various bankruptcy cases, including:

  • Frank’s Nursery and Crafts, Inc., a U.S. retail nursery and garden store chain.
  • Sunterra Corporation, one of the world’s largest timeshare companies.
  • Railworks Corporation, a national supplier to and servicer of the railroad industry.
  • PhyAmerica Physician Group, Inc., a national physician practice management company.
  • Creditrust Corporation, a collector and manager of defaulted consumer receivables.

The Firm has also represented debtors in numerous successful Chapter 11 reorganizations in a variety of industries. Past clients include the Combined Properties, Alleco Inc. (formerly Allegheny Beverage, Inc.), PharmaKinetics, Inc., the Best Battery Company, and Sunny’s Surplus. In addition, the bankruptcy department has served as Counsel to the trustees in the Chapter 7 cases of national retail chains Merry-Go-Round Enterprises and Just For Feet, as well as in the Chapter 7 case of Regency Homes Inc., once the largest independent home builder in Maryland and Virginia.

The Firm’s bankruptcy practice represents clients in cross-border insolvency cases and workouts. Joel I. Sher has acted as plan administrator and liquidating agent in the management and disposition of real estate and business interests in the United States, Australia, Spain, and the Netherlands.

To learn more about the Firm’s bankruptcy practice, please contact Joel I. Sher at jis@shapirosher.com.

Attorneys


Department Chair
  • Joel I. Sher. chair of the bankruptcy and financial restructuring department, serves as a panel trustee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.  He can be reached at 410.385.4277 or jis@shapirosher.com.

News
  • September 14, 2009: Caruso Homes to Emerge from Bankruptcy Protection. The Baltimore Business Journal, Builder's Magazine and CityBizList report on the homebuilder's successful Chapter 11 reorganization, citing Joel I. Sher as debtor's counsel. In Court, the Judge complimented the Caruso legal team saying: "This case is an example of how the bankruptcy code should work."
  • "Fieldstone Bankruptcy Plan OK'd by Judge." July 11, 2008. SSG&S represents Fieldstone Mortgage as the company wins approval of its Chapter 11 plan and becomes "one of few subprime lenders to survive bankruptcy since the credit crisis began," reports The Baltimore Sun.
  • Caruso Homes, Inc. files for Chapter 11 relief. June 24, 2008. Reporting on the Maryland homebuilder's bankruptcy, The Baltimore Examiner quotes Joel I. Sher, debtor's counsel in the case.
  • "$150 Million Settlement Doesn't Stop Physician Exec." February 21, 2006. The Daily Business Review of Broward County, Florida, reports on the settlement in the PhyAmerica Chapter 11 case, in which the Firm represented the unsecured creditors committee.

  • Baltimore Office
    36 South Charles Street
    Suite 2000
    Baltimore, MD 21201
    410.385.0202
  • Washington Office
    300 M Street, S.E.
    Suite 1102
    Washington, D.C. 20003
    202.331.0200