Harley E. Riedel

Harley E. Riedel

Harley E. Riedel joined Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler, P.A. at its inception in 1974 after graduating from the University of Florida College of Law (with high honors), where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Florida Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif. He has served as lead counsel for debtors in possession or other key constituencies in many of the largest Chapter 11 cases ever filed in the State of Florida. He regularly represents debtors, committees, creditors, buyers, and other parties in bankruptcy cases and out-of-court workouts. In 2007, Mr. Riedel became the third recipient (joining Don Stichter, who was the initial honoree) of the highest award of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association - presented for “outstanding effectiveness in the presentation of matters to the Bankruptcy Court; a reputation for thorough preparation; civility and courtesy to opposing counsel; appropriate courtroom demeanor; ethical conduct and professionalism at the highest level; and long-term service to the bankruptcy bar.” He has spoken and written on bankruptcy-related topics for the American Bar Association, The American Bankruptcy Institute, The Florida Bar, and numerous other legal and business groups. He is the principal author of the section on Chapter 11 Practice in both editions of the West Publishing Company publication, “Norton Handbook for Bankruptcy Trustees, Debtor-in-Possession, and Committees.”

HONORS & DISTINCTIONS

• Recipient, Douglas P. McClurg Professionalism Award, presented by the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association in May 2007
• Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy (inducted 1995); member of the Circuit Council for the Eleventh Circuit (2005-2009)
• Listed since 1989 in "Best Lawyers in America," in the area of Bankruptcy and Business Reorganization; named by Best Lawyers as the first “Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year” in 2010 for the Tampa Bay area
• Listed as a Florida “Super Lawyer” in the area of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Practice in all editions of "Florida Super Lawyers." Also listed as the top lawyer in the State of Florida in all practice areas in 2011, as one of the top three lawyers in the State in both 2010 (third) and 2012 (second), and as one of the top ten lawyers 2008, 2009, and 2013
• Listed, Tier One or “Star Performer” Tier, all editions of Chambers & Partners, "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in the area of Insolvency Practice in Florida (2003 to date). One of only two “star performers” in the bankruptcy practice area listed in the State of Florida in any edition
• Listed, all editions of Florida Trend's “Florida Legal Elite”
• Named, Florida Trend's "Legal Elite Hall of Fame" - 2013
• Listed, “Who's Who Legal U.S.A. – Insolvency” (one of only six Tampa based lawyers, including Don Stichter and Russ Blain, listed)
• Listed, outstanding Insolvency and Restructuring lawyer by Expert Guides (one of only four lawyers listed from the Middle District of Florida, including Don Stichter)
• Rated “AV” in Martindale-Hubbell for more than twenty-five years
• Guest Lecturer, Advanced Bankruptcy Course University of Florida College of Law (2003-date)
• Guest Lecturer, Advanced Bankruptcy Course, Stetson University College of Law (2007- 2011)
• Fellow, Florida Bar Foundation
• Fellow, American Bar Association
• Past Chairman of the Hillsborough County Law Library
• Book Awards: Highest academic score in seven law courses as a law student at the University of Florida (1972-1974)
• While at the University of Florida Law School, each of his three student works was selected for publication in the Law Review and was selected the outstanding student work for that quarter, earning the Gertrude Brick Case Comment Award, the George W. Milam Note Award, and the Alumni Association Commentary Award
• Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities
• Global Law Experts Practice Award winner – Chapter 11 Attorney of the Year in Florida (2014)

MEMBERSHIPS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association (founder, past director, President and Chairman)
• Federal Bar Association (Past officer and director, Tampa Bay Chapter)
• Member, Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the 13th Judicial Circuit
• Member, Committee on Local Bankruptcy Rules for the Middle District of Florida (1985 to 1998)
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• American Bankruptcy Institute
• Turnaround Management Association

PUBLICATIONS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Mr. Riedel has spoken at the annual meetings of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and the Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute and has spoken and written on bankruptcy-related topics for the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, The Florida Bar, the Turnaround Management Association, the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, and numerous other legal and business groups. He is the principal author of the section on Chapter 11 Practice in the first and second editions of the West Publishing Company publication, "Norton Handbook for Bankruptcy Trustees, Debtors-in-Possession, and Committees." He co-authored the article “Practical Issues Surrounding Section 363 Sales,” 19 U. Fla. J. of Law & Public Policy 75, April 2008.

RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• “Anything but Absolute: The Evolution of the Absolute Priority Rule in Individual and Corporate Cases” – American Bankruptcy Institute -Caribbean Seminar – February 2014
• “Effectiveness, Civility, Courtesy & Professionalism” – United States Bankruptcy Court Young Lawyers Mentoring Program – August 2013
• "Please Release Me, Let Me Go: Releases, Channeling Injunctions, and Bar Orders" – Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association Seminar - May 2013
• "Marital Obligations and Property Rights in Bankruptcy" – Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association - January 2013
• "High Rollers - 7 or 11: Individual Chapter 11 Cases" - National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges – October 2012
• “Directors and Officers Insurance in Bankruptcy" - 38th Annual Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute - March 2012
• “Drafting Disclosure Statements and Chapter 11 Plans " - 38th Annual Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute -” – March 2012
• “Ethical Issues in Dealing With Unrepresented Parties in Bankruptcy Proceedings" - Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association - October 2011
• “Individual Chapter 11 Cases" – 37th Annual Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute Conference – April 2011
• “Real Estate Chapter 11 Cases - Are They Yet to Come?" - Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute Conference – April 2011
• “Alternatives to Bankruptcy from the Business Debtor’s Standpoint” - Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association – April 2010
• “Restructuring Real Estate” - CLE International – December 2009
• “Greatest Lessons Learned” – Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association – August 2009
• “Restructuring Real Estate”- CLE International - March 2009
• "Coping With Financial Distress: an Update Two Years into the Recession" - The National Association of Homebuilders Annual Convention -January 2009
• "Alternate Sources of Funding: Ideas & Perspectives to Keep Your Business on Track" - The National Association of Homebuilders – November 2008
• “Coping with Financial Distress” – National Association of Homebuilders – August 2008
• “Venue Choices for Debtors” - Turnaround Management Association - August 2007
• “Is There Life After BAPCPA 2005 or (BAPCPA Survival Guide)” - Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association – March 2006
• “Fiduciary Duties and Other Issues Affecting Officers and Directors” – Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association – January 2006

PUBLICATIONS

• “Priorities Among Secured Claims," Secured Transactions in Florida (2nd Ed., The Florida Bar 1991)
• “The Effect of Bankruptcy on Real Estate Mortgage Foreclosures," Florida Mortgage Foreclosures (Professional Education Systems, Inc. 1987)
• “Priorities Among Secured Claims," Secured Transactions in Florida (1st Ed., The Florida Bar 1982)
• “Chapter 11 Arrangements," Debtors' and Creditors' Rights in Florida (The Florida Bar 1978)

REPRESENTATION
Harley E. Riedel has headed up the firm's representation of the debtor in possession or other party (as indicated) in numerous cases, including the following:

• ABC Fabrics, Inc.
• Affiliated of Florida
• Alessi's Bakery and Phil's Cake Box
• Allpoints Warehousing Equipment, Co.
• American Ship Building Company
• Anchor Glass (Official Creditors' Committee)
• Arlington Ridge, LLC, et al.
• Automotive Service Centers
• Avantair – representing Piaggio America, Inc.
• Bel-Aire Investments, Inc.
• Bicoastal Corporation
• Boardwalk and Baseball, Inc., et al.
• Chamax, LLC
• Chi Chi's (representing successful purchaser)
• Family Group
• Fiddler’s Creek, et al (DIP Lender)
• Fundamental Long term Care, Inc. (petitioning creditor and other claimants)
• John F. Bassett Enterprises, Inc.
• JumboSports Inc.
• Koger Properties
• LincNet, Inc.
• Lindsay Phillips, Inc.
• Lykes Bros. Steamship
• Morgan Yacht, Inc.
• Odyssey Properties, III, LLC, et al
• Petracom Media, LLC
• Provincetown-Boston Airlines
• Retail Networks
• Robert C. Nucci
• Scrub Island Development Group, Limited, et al.
• Tampa Shipyards, Inc.
• The Cove Apartments, LLC
• The Koger Partnership
• The Towers of Channelside, LLC
• Universal Health Care Group, Inc.
• Viasource Communications, Inc.
• West Charlotte Utilities
• Zephyr Rock

MEDIATION AND SPECIAL MASTER
Mr. Riedel has served as a mediator in scores of cases involving complicated bankruptcy and commercial disputes, most of which have resulted in a resolution of matter mediated. He was appointed in 2003 by the United States District Court to be a Special Master in connection with litigation involving more than 20,000 acres of agricultural operations in Florida and Michigan.

REPORTED DECISIONS
Mr. Riedel has served as lead counsel in more than one hundred reported decisions, including:

• In re Container Applications International., Inc., 233 F.3d 1361 (11th Cir. 2000)
• Christo v. Padgett, 223 F.3d 1324 cert denied, 121 S. Ct. 1190, 531 US 1191, 141 L Ed 2d 106 (2001)
• In re Bicoastal Corp., 242 B.R. 43 (M.D. Fla. 1998)
• In re Kidron, Inc., 278 B.R. 626 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2002)
• In re Lykes Bros. Steamship Co., Inc., 233 B.R. 546 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1997)
• In re Lykes Bros S.S. Co., Inc., 217 B.R. 304 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1997)
• In re Lykes Bros. Steamship Co., Inc., 196 B.R. 574 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1996)
• In re Koger Properties, Inc., 172 B.R. 351 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1994)
• In re Bicoastal Corp., 164 B.R. 1009 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1993)
• Matter of American Ship Building Co., Inc., 164 B.R. 358 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1994)
• In re Bicoastal Corp., 146 B.R. 492 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1992)
• In re Bel-Aire Investments, Inc., 142 B.R. 992 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1992)
• In re Bicoastal Corp., 136 B.R. 290 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1992)
• In re Bicoastal Corp., 134 B.R. 50 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1991)
• In re Bicoastal Corp., 133 B.R. 252 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1991)
• In re Sea Span Publications, Inc., 126 B.R. 622 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1991)
• In re Provincetown-Boston Airlines, Inc., 72 B.R. 307 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1987)
• Matter of Providencetown-Boston Airlines, Inc., 66 B.R. 632 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1986)

Position

Co-Managing Shareholder

Education

• Baylor University, B.A., 1971
• University of Florida, J.D., 1974, with high honors
• Editor-in-Chief, University of Florida Law Review
• Order of the Coif
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Bar & Court Admissions

• The Florida Bar (all State courts)
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
• Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Supreme Court of the United States