6/20/2014

Chambers USA 2014 Ranks Dilworth Attorneys Among the Best in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Dilworth Paxson LLP is proud to announce that six attorneys have been ranked in Chambers USA 2014 for the practice area of Bankruptcy/Restructuring. Lawrence G. McMichael, Dilworth Chairman; James M. Matour, Partner and Co-Chair, Bankruptcy & Insolvency Group; Martin J. Weis, Partner; and Anne Marie Aaronson, Partner, were all honored for their legal work in Pennsylvania. Anne Marie P. Kelley, Partner and Co-Chair, Bankruptcy & Insolvency Group, and Scott J. Freedman, Partner, were recognized in New Jersey.

Additionally, the Dilworth team in Pennsylvania was described as an “impressive, expanding group that continues to do excellent work on behalf of debtors, trustees, and secured and unsecured lenders.” In New Jersey, the team “draws on its substantial presence in the region when acting for diverse clients” and is “very tenacious and strategic in terms of understanding how to work with all parties and how to reach an acceptable outcome.”

McMichael, who was named Chairman of the Firm earlier this year, received special recognition as a Star Individual for his work with debtors in bankruptcy proceedings. He was described in the rankings as “creative and brilliant,” according to market sources. McMichael has more than 36 years of trial experience in state and federal courts including numerous major jury and non-jury cases. In the last few years, he has appeared four times in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He is one of only a handful of attorneys in the U.S. to be a Fellow of both the American College of Bankruptcy and the American College of Trial Lawyers.

As noted in Chambers USA 2014, Matour is held in high regard by clients, who state that, among other qualities, he “is an excellent tactician and strategic thinker.” He has more than 30 years of experience representing debtors, creditors, and other parties in bankruptcy cases. Matour is a founding Director of the Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project and a member of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Turnaround Management Association. He is a frequent lecturer at attorney and judicial conferences.

Weis focuses his practice in bankruptcy work representing a variety of creditors and bankruptcy debtors, including commercial landlords, former directors and officers, state taxing authorities, and leasing companies. He also represented the unsecured creditors committee in a large anthracite coal operator bankruptcy and an Israeli foreign representative in a Section 304 ancillary proceeding.

Aaronson’s practice focuses on bankruptcy and reorganization as well as out-of-court workouts and providing true sale and non-consolidation opinions to clients. Chambers USA 2014 recognized her “significant experience in representing Chapter 7 trustees,” and she also represents for-profit and not-for-profit Chapter 11 debtors. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project and formerly served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Committee.

Anne Marie P. Kelley has extensive experience representing secured and unsecured creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy and other insolvency proceedings across the U.S. and Canada. She, however, focuses her practice on the representation of trade creditors in their dealings with financially troubled customers in all stages of their relationships. Prior to a bankruptcy filing, Kelley works with trade creditors to analyze ways in which they can minimize their potential exposure and to develop a plan to maximize recovery in a bankruptcy case. She then monitors the bankruptcy case to protect and, possibly enhance, the rights of trade creditors. Finally, Kelley proactively analyzes and defends alleged preferential and other avoidance actions with an eye to a prompt, cost-effective resolution.

With a focus on complex corporate restructurings and creditors’ rights, Freedman frequently represents trade creditors, Chapter 7 and 11 Trustees, financial institutions, distressed investors, general contractors, debtors, and other parties in interest in bankruptcy-related proceedings, out-of-court restructurings, and other insolvency-related matters. His industry experience spans the chemical, automotive, financial, real estate, manufacturing, securities, and retail sectors. Clients note that “he excels in his knowledge of the field and ability to close deals; he is instrumental in bringing multiple parties to terms.”

Chambers has published in-depth and objective guides to the legal profession since 1990. Their team of researchers focuses on the opinions of lawyers and legal clients when ranking according to such criteria as legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service. The guides are used by clients throughout the world when they need to find reliable, capable, and appropriate business lawyers. Chambers USA is published annually in May. The rankings can be viewed online at www.chambersandpartners.com/guide/usa/5.

At Dilworth Paxson, a focus on growth and innovation goes hand-in-hand with a storied heritage and a steadfast commitment to legal excellence. Dilworth has offices in Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Washington, DC; Cherry Hill, NJ; Red Bank, NJ; Harrisburg, PA; and Wilmington, DE. For more information, please visit www.dilworthlaw.com.