Aaron Hammer Chairs the 2023 Distressed Investing Summit – 3/21-3/22March 20, 2023HMB is thrilled to sponsor The M&A Advisor’s 2023 Distressed and Investing Summit in Palm Beach, FL. As the Conference Chairperson, Aaron Hammer will welcome attendees at the opening reception, discuss turnaround experiences in a program session and participate in the Awards Gala. Aaron will also be honored with the Turnaround Award “Legal Advisor of the Year” at the Awards Gala.
Aaron Hammer and Rick Rein Present "Bankruptcy in Crypto" for the LFAMarch 13, 2023On March 8, 2023, Aaron L. Hammer and Rick S. Rein joined the Law Firm Alliance for their Bankruptcy Community Meeting.
Congratulations to HMB Attorneys Named to 2023 Leading LawyersFebruary 21, 2023Congratulations to Jeralyn H. Baran, Keith H. Berk, Aaron L.Hammer, Jeffrey H. Hechtman, James L. Jerue and Jeffrey A. Zaluda for being named 2023 Leading Lawyers! Only lawyers who are most often recommended by their peers and later approved by the Leading Lawyers Advisory Board are selected.
Aaron L. Hammer Named Legal Advisor of the Year: 17th Annual Turnaround AwardsFebruary 6, 2023Congratulations Aaron L. Hammer on being named Legal Advisor of the Year by The M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards! Aaron was selected for outstanding track record of successful transactions and lifelong contributions to the turnaround industry.
Cryptocurrency, Your Chapter 11 Table Is ReadyDecember 19, 2022In this article, Aaron L. Hammer, Rick S. Rein, Dan Wen and Claudia Suszczynska provide an overview of the decline in the cryptocurrency industry in 2022, otherwise known as a “crypto winter,” and the potential impacts of a surge in Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings by players in the space.
HMB Announced as Winner of the 16th Annual Turnaround Awards: Out-of-Court Restructuring Deal of the YearJune 1, 2022HMB is the recipient of The M&A Advisor Turnaround Award for Out-of-Court Restructuring Deal of the Year. HMB was recognized for its representation of Europa Sports Products, LLC (“Europa”) in its successful sale to Europa Sports Partners, LLC (“ESP”). Congratulations to: Aaron L. Hammer, Keith Berk, Nathan E. Delman, Dan Wen, Casey E. Rivard and Elise Anderson.
Aaron L. Hammer Presents, “The Bankruptcy Outlook and a Trifecta of Factors: Global Risk, Inflation, Rising Rates” – 6/23/22May 17, 2022Join Aaron L. Hammer for an upcoming webinar, “The Bankruptcy Outlook and a Trifecta of Factors: Global Risk, Inflation, Rising Rates,” with S&P Global on June 23rd where he and his co-presenters will dive deeper to refresh the bankruptcy outlook.
Rick S. Rein Published in FRAUD MagazineMay 4, 2022Bankruptcy fraud, which lessened during the pandemic, could increase this year according to HMB’s Rick S. Rein and Brad Sargent, Founder of The Sargent Consulting Group, LLC. In an article published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) FRAUD magazine, Rick and Brad provide an overview of bankruptcy fraud and constructive fraud.
Aaron L. Hammer Featured on The Winning Momentum PodcastApril 27, 2022Aaron L. Hammer was recently featured on The Winning Momentum Podcast with Scott Sinclair. Aaron and Scott discuss entrepreneurship and Aaron shares his experience as both a corporate bankruptcy attorney and an entrepreneur.
Aaron L. Hammer Shares Insight on Corporate Bankruptcies with S&P GlobalMarch 22, 2022HMB’s Aaron L. Hammer predicts corporate bankruptcies will remain low this year in an S&P Global article.
Aaron L. Hammer Discusses Corporate Bankruptcy Filings with S&P Market IntelligenceJanuary 18, 2022Aaron L. Hammer discusses corporate bankruptcy filings with S&P Market Intelligence.
HMB Welcomes Dante Wen to its Bankruptcy, Reorganization & Creditors’ Rights PracticeNovember 29, 2021HMB is pleased to welcome Dan Wen to its growing Bankruptcy, Reorganization & Creditors’ Rights practice.
Jeffrey A. Hechtman and Aaron L. Hammer Share Deal Making Insights at the Mid-Market Dealmaker Symposium – 12/15/21November 19, 2021Jeffrey A. Hechtman and Aaron L. Hammer Discuss Deal Making Insights at the Mid-Market Dealmaker Symposium.
Aaron L. Hammer and Nathan E. Delman Present, “I Don’t Wanna Hear It! – All About the Equitable Mootness Doctrine” at the CBA Bankruptcy and Reorganization Committee Meeting – 11/17/21November 9, 2021Aaron L. Hammer and Nathan E. Delman Present, “I Don’t Wanna Hear It! – All About the Equitable Mootness Doctrine” at the CBA Bankruptcy and Reorganization Committee Meeting.
HMB Retained as Counsel to Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Something Sweet Acquisition, Inc.October 1, 2021On July 26, 2021, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Something Sweet Acquisition, Inc. selected HMB Legal Counsel (“HMB”) as its counsel, with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approving HMB’s retention on September 23, 2021. Something Sweet Acquisition, Inc. and Something Sweet, Inc. (together “Something Sweet”) are industry leaders in the production and sale of…
HMB Prevails For Equity Holders In 8th Circuit Decision Nearly Abolishing Chapter 11 “Equitable Mootness” DoctrineAugust 13, 2021HMB’s Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Creditors’ Rights Team including Aaron Hammer, Nathan Delman and the late John Guzzardo, representing FishDish, LLP, preferred shareholders holders of the bankrupt VeroBlue Farms USA, Inc. at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, successfully argued that the District Court prematurely dismissed FishDish’s appeal by improperly invoking the judicial doctrine known commonly known as “Equitable Mootness.”
In Remembrance of John W. GuzzardoJune 11, 2021It is with great sadness that we inform you of the untimely passing of our dear friend and colleague, John Guzzardo. John passed away on Friday, June 4th at the age of 49 due to a car crash while on vacation with his family in California. John was a Partner at HMB, the Chair of the firm’s Litigation Group, a mentor to many and a friend to all.
Corporate Bankruptcies in 2021 and BeyondApril 12, 2021CHAPTER 11 FILINGS IN 2020 AND BEYOND Unless your January 2020 payroll included Nostradamus, the forthcoming global pandemic and resulting mass quarantines were largely unforeseeable. Last year’s unpredictability did, however, lead to the rather predictable material increase in Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings. Epiq Companies recently reported to the American Bankruptcy Institute that commercial Chapter 11 filings increased 29% in 2020.…
Aaron L. Hammer Featured in the March 2021 TMA Quarterly NewsletterMarch 29, 2021Aaron L. Hammer was featured on the cover of Turnaround Management Association Chicago's Newsletter of Corporate Renewal celebrating its 30 year anniversary. The newsletter celebrates the TMA's focus on growing networks, identifying business opportunities, adding to its members' knowledge base, providing leadership and having fun with great people. As Aaron said, "TMA is -- and always will be -- family.…
Nathan E. Delman Presents a Webinar, "Supreme Court and Seventh Circuit Caselaw Update" for the Chicago Bar Association - 3/17/21March 9, 20213/17/21 Chicago, IL The lively duo of Nathan E. Delman and Michael Miller from the Semrad Law Firm will get you caught up on the latest and greatest in both commercial and consumer bankruptcy law developments from the Seventh Circuit and the Supreme Court. Register for the event here. …
Aaron L. Hammer Discusses the Impact of COVID-19 on the Restaurant Industry and Successfully Navigating Restaurant Workouts with American Bankruptcy Institute’s (ABI) February 2021 JournalFebruary 5, 2021In this ABI Journal article, Aaron L. Hammer discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry and managing Red South Beach through the crisis. Download the full article here. The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created unprecedented distress in many industries. Arguably, the hardest hit to date is the restaurant industry. Getting through a workout during COVID-19 has…
Aaron L. Hammer Discusses Gencanna's $1.2M Lawsuit Against Pillsbury Winthrop with Law360February 4, 2021In this article by Law360, Aaron L. Hammer discusses GenCanna filing an adversary proceeding seeking $1.2 million back that the company paid to law firm, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP ("Pillsbury"). Read the full article by Law360 here (paid subscription required). GenCanna, now known as OGGUSA Inc. after the company sold its assets as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, paid…
HMB Legal Counsel Retained as Counsel for Wind-Down Trustee In re OGGUSA, Inc. f/k/a GenCanna Global USADecember 29, 2020Aaron L. Hammer, John W. Guzzardo and Nathan E. Delman of HMB Legal Counsel have been retained as counsel for the wind-down trustee in In re OGGUSA, Inc. (f/k/a GenCanna Global USA, Inc.). Earlier this year, CBD giant GenCanna made national headlines when its creditors forced the company into a Kentucky bankruptcy court After a high stakes court battle which…
John W. Guzzardo Appointed to the Panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Northern District of IllinoisDecember 11, 2020HMB is proud to announce that John W. Guzzardo has been appointed by the United State Trustee of Region 11 to the Panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. John is Chair of HMB’s Litigation Group and a partner in HMB’s Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Creditors’ Rights practice. "Over the past eleven years of my…
Aaron L. Hammer Presents a Webinar, "What's on the Menu? Restaurant Groups Respond to COVID-19" for the TMA Town Hall - 11/11/20November 3, 202011/11/20 1:15PM CT Be sure to join the next TMA Town Hall where a robust discussion, featuring former TMA Chicago/Midwest President and restaurant owner Aaron L. Hammer (TMA Chicago/Midwest), along with other industry heavyweights, will leave you with plenty of food for thought as they look ahead toward 2021. Whet your appetite for this session by reading Global Pandemic Is…
HMB Welcomes Loan K. Tran and Elysa J. ChewNovember 2, 202011/2/20 Chicago, IL HMB Legal Counsel, a preeminent provider of legal services in business and finance, litigation, trusts and estates, real estate, state and local taxes and corporate reorganization, bankruptcy and creditor's rights, announced that Loan K. Tran joins the firm as an associate in the Business and Finance group and Elysa J. Chew joins the firm as an associate…
HMB Congratulates Client RED South Beach for Turnaround Management Association Small Business Turnaround AwardOctober 28, 2020RED South Beach and its turnaround professionals have been awarded the Small Business Turnaround of the Year Award from the TMA’s Chicago/Midwest Chapter. HMB attorneys Aaron L. Hammer, John W. Guzzardo and Nathan E. Delman served as legal counsel to RED South Beach in its turnaround. Although this year’s celebration will be virtual, the Chapter’s Awards Committee and Board will…
HMB Legal Counsel’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditors' Rights Practice Reaches New HeightsOctober 14, 2020Over the past twelve months, HMB Legal Counsel (“HMB”) helped navigate a smooth landing for distressed aircraft manufacturer Thrush Aircraft, Inc. (“Debtor”), culminating in a successful sale of substantially all its assets and the subsequent confirmation of a joint plan of liquidation in August 2020. In September 2019, HMB was appointed as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors…
Procedures of the Circuit Court of Cook County During the CoronavirusJuly 1, 2020***This article has been updated from the version posted on May 29th, 2020*** Actions Taken by the Circuit Court of Cook County In General Effective July 6, 2020, the Circuit Court of Cook County will begin hearing all matters in all Districts and Divisions with the exception of jury trials. Unless otherwise ordered, all attorneys and self-represented litigants shall be…
Force Majeure? It’s Unorthodox, But I’ll Allow It: Bankruptcy Court Excuses § 365(d)(3) Performance Due to CoronavirusJune 10, 2020In an opinion for our troubled times, Northern District of Illinois Bankruptcy Judge Donald Cassling granted debtor Hitz Restaurant Group (“Hitz”) some reprieve from § 365(d)(3)’s strict requirements due to a combination of COVID-19 shutdown orders and a favorably-worded force majeure clause. Hitz’s landlord, Kass Management Services, Inc. (“Kass”) moved to lift the automatic stay after Hitz stop making its…
John W. Guzzardo and Nathan E. Delman Published in Journal of Corporate Renewal - "Global Pandemic Is Surprise Addition to Restaurant’s Turnaround Menu"June 1, 2020View the PDF from Turnaround Management Association's Journal of Corporate Renewal here. John W. Guzzardo and Nathan E. Delman, with John B. Pidcock of Oxford Restructuring Advisors LLP, discuss how Red South Beach responded to the COVID-19 crisis by quickly taking a number of actions designed not only to survive but to emerge financially stronger once the crisis is over.…
Procedures of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois During the Coronavirus CrisisMay 30, 2020Actions Taken by the Bankruptcy Court The COVID-19 pandemic notwithstanding, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois remains open for business, although not business as usual. Recognizing the need to maintain social distancing, the Court has made several significant changes to its daily operations. After two months of hearing routine motions telephonically, the Court has implemented…
Bankruptcy in the Time of CoronavirusApril 6, 2020The Coronavirus crisis has arrived. This global pandemic has placed a hard stop on economic activity across the board, sending markets into freefall and skyrocketing unemployment claims to unprecedented heights. Chapter 11 filings are anticipated to surge, forcing bankruptcy courts to clean up large swaths of the crisis’ aftermath. But for now, it is anyone’s guess when the uptick in…
Zone of Insolvency and Fiduciary Duties – a Brief Summary of What Directors and Officers Need to KnowMarch 23, 2020The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses and commercial relationships worldwide. As commercial operations continue to be shuttered and revenues cut off, principals of companies will likely find themselves questioning where their obligations and responsibilities lie when the entity’s solvency is questionable. When a corporation is solvent, the fiduciary duties of the corporation's board of directors run to…
Indicate Precisely What You Mean to Say: The Importance of Accuracy on UCC-1 Financing StatementsMarch 18, 2020UCC-1 Financing Statements are an integral tool in a secured creditor’s toolbox. They perfect a lender’s interest and broadcast notice of this perfected lien to all present or future creditors, putting out the warning that a security interest against the debtor’s collateral exists. An effective financing statement has three requirements: (1) the debtor’s name; (2) the creditor’s name; and (3)…
Four Attorneys from the Litigation Group Named to 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars ListsFebruary 3, 2020One attorney from HMB's Litigation Group has been named as a 2020 Illinois Super Lawyer. Additionally, three attorneys were named to the 2020 Illinois Rising Stars list. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding attorneys from over seventy practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The following HMB attorney was selected for…
HMB Elevates David Machemer and Tim Rybicki to PartnerJanuary 8, 2020Chicago, IL December 12, 2019 HMB Legal Counsel, a preeminent provider of legal services in Business and Finance, State and Local Tax, Trusts and Estates, Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Creditors' Rights, Real Estate and Litigation announced that three associate attorneys were elevated to partner. David W. Machemer David is a member of the firm's State and Local Tax (SALT) Group. He…
Watch Aaron Hammer and Rick Rein Present "Hot Topics in Cross Border Restructurings" On DemandOctober 14, 2019On 9/17/19 Aaron Hammer and Rick Rein presented "Hot Topics in Cross Border Restructurings" at the Offices of Gowling WLG LLOP in Toronto, Canada. Aaron and Rick discussed the role of chief restructuring officers and other turnaround professionals in Canadian restructuring, flash points in today's cross border insolvencies, and the cannabis space. This program was intended for lenders, turnaround professionals…
HMB Retained as Counsel to Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Thrush Aircraft, Inc.October 9, 2019On September 24, 2019, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Thrush Aircraft, Inc. selected HMB Legal Counsel (“HMB”) as its counsel, with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia approving HMB’s retention on October 2, 2019. Thrush Aircraft ( “Thrush”) is a leading designer and manufacturer and of single-engine light aircraft, primarily used in agriculture operations. Thrush…
The Small Business Reorganization Act Arrives in February 2020 - Here's What you Need to KnowSeptember 6, 2019With President Trump’s signature August 23rd, the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (“SBRA”) will officially take effect in February 2020. The SBRA is designed to fill a gap in the current bankruptcy laws by providing a framework for small businesses to successfully reorganize in bankruptcy court. As noted by the senate bill’s sponsor, Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, “Chapter 11…
Nathan E. Delman presents "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Coverage Counsel at § 341 Meetings"-Seventh Circuit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference-10/14/19August 29, 201910/14/19 Chicago, IL The Seventh Circuit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference will present an overview of savings in chapter 13, coverage counsel at § 341 meetings and navigating bankruptcy appeals. There will also be a Seventh Circuit case law update as well as a look at recommendations made in the Final Report of the ABI Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy. Nathan is a…
Aaron Hammer and Rick Rein present "Hot Topics in Cross Border Restructurings" - 9/17/19August 16, 20199/17/19 Offices of Gowling WLG LLP Toronto, Canada Aaron Hammer and Rick Rein present "Hot Topics in Cross Border Restructurings" at the Offices of Gowling WLG LLP on September 17th. The discussion will include: The Role of Chief Restructuring Officers and Other Turnaround Professionals in Canadian Restructuring • Would Canadian restructurings benefit from an increased use of CROs, similar to…
Nathan E. Delman Joins HMB Legal Counsel Expanding Bankruptcy PracticeAugust 6, 2019CHICAGO, IL - HMB Legal Counsel, a preeminent provider of legal services in business and finance, litigation, trusts and estates, real estate, state and local taxes and bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors' rights announced that attorney Nathan E. Delman joined the firm as an associate in its growing bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors' rights practice. Nate has over ten years’ experience as a…
John Guzzardo and Rick Rein Published in NABT American Bankruptcy Trustee JournalJanuary 15, 2019John Guzzardo and Rick Rein wrote an article for NABT American Bankruptcy Trustee Journal regarding the use of Consent Directives to locate offshore assets. A consent directive is a "rare bird" investigatory tool that litigants in the US may use to discover assets and information from debtors or third parties located anywhere in the world. Recently, the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy…
HMB Welcomes John W. Guzzardo And Continues To Expand Its Bankruptcy, Reorganization & Creditors' Rights PracticeApril 5, 2018CHICAGO, IL (April 5, 2018) - Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered ("HMB"), a preeminent provider of legal services in business and finance, litigation, trusts and estates, real estate, state and local taxes and bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors' rights announced that attorney John W. Guzzardo joined the firm as a partner in it's growing bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors' rights practice. John represents…
Horwood Marcus & Berk Announced As Winner Of The 12th Annual Turnaround AwardsMarch 19, 2018CHICAGO, IL (March 16, 2018) - The M&A Advisor announced the winners of the 12th Annual Turnaround Awards on Thursday, December 21st. Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered ("HMB") was named a winner of the Section 363 Transaction of the Year ($10MM - $25MM) for Aaron L. Hammer's representation of Central Iowa Healthcare ("CIH") in its successful chapter 11 sale before…
HMB Welcomes Aaron L. Hammer and Expands its Bankruptcy, Reorganization & Creditors' Rights PracticeMarch 6, 2018PRESS RELEASE Contact: Jason Klika Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered 312.281.1102 CHICAGO, IL (March 6, 2018) - Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered ("HMB"), a preeminent provider of legal services in business and finance, litigation, trusts and estates, real estate and state and local taxes, announced that accomplished corporate reorganization, bankruptcy and creditor's rights attorney Aaron L. Hammer joined the firm…