Overview
John represents creditors in complex bankruptcy and workout situations. He has extensive experience as first chair in numerous successful Chapter 11 cases and is well-versed in all aspects of workouts, lender liability, creditors’ rights, and bankruptcy law.
Additionally, John manages banking law and commercial transactions, including asset-based lending, supplier agreements, commercial contracts, sale and purchase of debt instruments, and equipment finance.
John proactively develops strategies to mitigate the risk of loss during financial crises, guiding clients both before and during court proceedings.
Prior to joining the firm, John led the workout group in the banking law department of a major national bank and began his legal career as a clerk for U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert J. Sidman. John is a former U.S. Army Reserve officer and served as Chief of Operational Law for U.S. Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Representative Experience
- Successfully represented a significant creditor and contract counterparty holder (In re: Rite Aid Corporation, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey).
- Successfully represented an intellectual property licensor and contract counterparty (In re: Instant Brands Acquisition Holdings, Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented a significant contract counterparty holder in negotiation of agreements prior to and after Chapter 11 proceedings (In re: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey).
- Represented a significant contract counterparty holder (In re: Zachry Holdings, Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented a significant contract counterparty holder (In re: Party City Holdco Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented a major party in interest (In re: Ryze Renewables II, LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware).
- Represented a landlord in lease assumption (In re: TOMS King (Ohio) LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio).
- Successfully represented a contract counterparty holder and defended other creditors in preference claims (In re: Revlon Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York).
- Successfully represented a significant party in interest (In re: Sungard AS New Holdings, LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented a major creditor (In re: IPS Worldwide, LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida).
- Served as special litigation counsel to the Trustee (In re: PCS & Build LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio).
- Represented a senior secured lender (In re: G.D.S. Express, Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio).
- Over his 42 years in practice, John has also been involved in numerous other significant and notable bankruptcy cases such as General Motors and Chrysler along with bankruptcy cases in jurisdictions throughout the United States.
Education & Admissions
Education
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 1981
- Miami University, B.S., cum laude, 1978
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- US. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- US. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- US. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
- Board of Trustees
- Vice President of Finance (2018 – 2020)
American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
Community Involvement
- Former US Army Reserve Officer and served on active duty as the Chief of Operational Law at US Army Special Forces Command, Fort Bragg
- West Side Catholic Center, Volunteer
Firm Involvement
- Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights Practice Group, Chair
- Bankruptcy and Transaction Practice Group, Co-Chair
Awards & Honors
- Recognized by Best Lawyers® in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2014 – Present)
- Ranked as AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
- Recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers as Super Lawyer (2005 – 2008, 2018 – Present)
Publications
- “Corporate Officer Beware: Delaware Court of Chancery Says You Owe Caremark Duties,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (February 2023)
- “Small Business Reorganization Act to Take Effect on February 19,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (February 2020)
- “Beware of Tuition Clawback: US Court of Appeals Allows Bankruptcy Trustees to Recover Tuition Payments From Colleges,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (November 2019)
- “Four New Bankruptcy Bills Signed into Law,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (September 2019)
- “Prepayment Penalty Upheld Despite Lender’s Acceleration of the Debt,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (May 2019)
Presentations & Lectures
- “Financing Alternatives,” Frantz Ward ACC Seminar, Co-Presenter (August 2022)·
- “Lender Financing Your Deal – Challenging Provisions in Every Bank Loan Agreement,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Presenter (August 2021)
- “COVID-19’s Impact on the Health Care Industry, Domestic Relations and The Bankruptcy Wave,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Presenter (November 2020)
- “Expect the Unexpected: Bankruptcy,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Presenter (August 2019)
- “Vendor Contracts,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Presenter (June 2018)
- “Impact and Fallout of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on the Coal Industry,” Met Coke World Summit, Presenter (October 2016)
Media Coverage
- Mentioned in, “Lawyers, Firms Receive Recognition,” Cleveland Jewish News (January 2021)
Representative Experience
- Successfully represented a significant creditor and contract counterparty holder (In re: Rite Aid Corporation, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey).
- Successfully represented an intellectual property licensor and contract counterparty (In re: Instant Brands Acquisition Holdings, Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented a significant contract counterparty holder in negotiation of agreements prior to and after Chapter 11 proceedings (In re: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey).
- Represented a significant contract counterparty holder (In re: Zachry Holdings, Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented a significant contract counterparty holder (In re: Party City Holdco Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented a major party in interest (In re: Ryze Renewables II, LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware).
- Represented a landlord in lease assumption (In re: TOMS King (Ohio) LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio).
- Successfully represented a contract counterparty holder and defended other creditors in preference claims (In re: Revlon Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York).
- Successfully represented a significant party in interest (In re: Sungard AS New Holdings, LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Represented a major creditor (In re: IPS Worldwide, LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida).
- Served as special litigation counsel to the Trustee (In re: PCS & Build LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio).
- Represented a senior secured lender (In re: G.D.S. Express, Inc., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio).
- Over his 42 years in practice, John has also been involved in numerous other significant and notable bankruptcy cases such as General Motors and Chrysler along with bankruptcy cases in jurisdictions throughout the United States.
Education & Admissions
Education
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 1981
- Miami University, B.S., cum laude, 1978
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- US. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- US. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- US. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
- Board of Trustees
- Vice President of Finance (2018 – 2020)
American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
Community Involvement
- Former US Army Reserve Officer and served on active duty as the Chief of Operational Law at US Army Special Forces Command, Fort Bragg
- West Side Catholic Center, Volunteer
Firm Involvement
- Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights Practice Group, Chair
- Bankruptcy and Transaction Practice Group, Co-Chair
Awards & Honors
- Recognized by Best Lawyers® in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2014 – Present)
- Ranked as AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
- Recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers as Super Lawyer (2005 – 2008, 2018 – Present)
Publications
- “Corporate Officer Beware: Delaware Court of Chancery Says You Owe Caremark Duties,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (February 2023)
- “Small Business Reorganization Act to Take Effect on February 19,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (February 2020)
- “Beware of Tuition Clawback: US Court of Appeals Allows Bankruptcy Trustees to Recover Tuition Payments From Colleges,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (November 2019)
- “Four New Bankruptcy Bills Signed into Law,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (September 2019)
- “Prepayment Penalty Upheld Despite Lender’s Acceleration of the Debt,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (May 2019)
Presentations & Lectures
- “Financing Alternatives,” Frantz Ward ACC Seminar, Co-Presenter (August 2022)·
- “Lender Financing Your Deal – Challenging Provisions in Every Bank Loan Agreement,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Presenter (August 2021)
- “COVID-19’s Impact on the Health Care Industry, Domestic Relations and The Bankruptcy Wave,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Presenter (November 2020)
- “Expect the Unexpected: Bankruptcy,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Presenter (August 2019)
- “Vendor Contracts,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Presenter (June 2018)
- “Impact and Fallout of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on the Coal Industry,” Met Coke World Summit, Presenter (October 2016)
Media Coverage
- Mentioned in, “Lawyers, Firms Receive Recognition,” Cleveland Jewish News (January 2021)
