A.J. counsels companies facing varying degrees of financial uncertainty and distress, working to proactively identify and assess insolvency issues. He represents parties (secured/unsecured creditors, debtors, committees, purchasers, and borrowers) in all phases of bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, with an emphasis on selling or acquiring distressed assets and assisting parties in restructurings or out-of-court workouts.
Additionally, A.J. represents original equipment manufacturers and suppliers in automotive distress matters, including large supplier and automotive bankruptcies, banking institutions on loan workouts and enforcement (both conventional and Small Business Administration enforcement), and clients on Uniform Commercial Code matters, with an emphasis on healthcare receivables.
Prior to joining FBT, A.J. was a financial sales associate for a major brokerage institution and later worked for a non-profit arts organization. His prior work experience provided him with a unique perspective on the myriad of financial issues affecting both for-profit and not-for-profit entities. He graduated second in his class from the University of Cincinnati College of Law where he authored numerous bankruptcy-related articles.
A.J. has represented clients throughout the country in debtor, committee, senior secured lender, distressed acquisition, automotive distressed supply, and retail/landlord engagements. Representative matters are below.
Debtor Engagements:
Hopedale Mining, LLC (Rhino Energy), JW Resources, Inc., and Cambrian Holding Company, Inc.
Committee Engagements:
Stein Mart, Inc., RGN-Group Holdings (Regus), Gordmans Stores, Inc., Cycle Force Group, LLC, Freedom Industries, Inc., and Goodrich Quality Theaters
DIP Lender/Senior Secured Lender Engagements:
Lectrus Corporation, Sebring Management FL, Glen-Alum Coal Company, and Murray Energy Holdings Co.
Automotive Distressed Supply Engagements:
GST AutoLeather, Dura Automotive, Pace Industries, and Gissing North America
Retail/Landlord Engagements:
J.C. Penney, Sears, Bon-Ton, J. Crew, Pier 1, RadioShack, Pac-Sun, Aeropostale, Payless, and rue21
University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., 2015, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif
University Prize โ Second Highest G.P.A.
University of Cincinnatiย Law Review,ย Articles Editorย and Associate Member
Marshall University, B.A., Political Science, summa cum laude
Outstanding Student in Political Science
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watchยฎ, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency Reorganization Law, 2021-2024
Distinguished Law Student, Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar
University Prize โ Second Highest G.P.A., University of Cincinnati College of Law
Commercial Law Award for Highest Scholar in Contract, Commercial, and Bankruptcy Law, University of Cincinnati College of Law
Ernest Karam Prize, University of Cincinnati College of Law
Thompson Hine & Flory Prize, University of Cincinnati College of Law
Outstanding Student in Political Science, Marshall University
ABI Unsecured Trade Creditors Committee, Newsletter Editor (2023 โ Present)
ABI Central States Bankruptcy Seminar, Advisory Board Member (2022 โ Present)
ABI Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar, Advisory Board Member (2018 โ 2022)
American Bankruptcy Institute
American Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
Cincinnati Bar Association
Pay Me Once, Pay Me Twice: Shapiro v. Hensonโs Impact on a Debtorโs Fresh Start After Bankruptcy, 83 U. Cin. L. Rev. 625 (2014)
A New Take on an Old Foe: Percentage Fees in Unconfirmed Chapter 13 Bankruptcies,ย National Association of Chapter Thirteen Trustees Quarterlyย (Fall 2015)
Filing Time-Barred Claims in Bankruptcy Subjects Creditors to FDCPA Sanctions in the Eleventh Circuit (and Maybe the Seventh), U. Cin. L. Rev. (January 2015)
Protecting Attorneys and Jeopardizing Creditors: In re Thelen LLP and Rejection of the โUnfinished Business Ruleโ, U. Cin. L. Rev. (November 2014)
Donโt Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out: Smith v. Robbins (In re IFS Financial Corporation), U. Cin. L. Rev. (October 2014)
Publication: INSOL World Q2 2022 edition
Publish Date: April 1, 2022
June 20, 2022
May 20, 2020
May 19, 2020