In re:  ABC Fabrics of Tampa, Inc., et al.

ABC Fabrics of Tampa, Inc., et al.

Representation of four related debtors which, collectively, were the fourth largest national retailer of fabrics and crafts, with debts in excess of $40 million.  A liquidating plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Affiliated of Florida, Inc., et al.

Affiliated of Florida, Inc., et al.

Representation of three related debtors with annual sales in excess of $200 million and over $35 million in debt.  Substantially all of the assets were sold in bankruptcy and a plan was confirmed in less than one year. 

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Afford A Staff

Afford A Staff

Representation of a debtor in the employee leasing business. The case involves substantial tax debts. The representation is ongoing.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Air Now

Air Now, Inc., Service Experts of Sarasota, Inc. and Service Now, Inc.

Representation of three related debtors in the air conditioning service business. A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  The Alliance Foundation for Housing and Health Care, Inc.

The Alliance Foundation for Housing and Health Care, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, which owned a 210 bed skilled nursing facility. The facility was sold during the bankruptcy and a liquidating plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  American Family Enterprises

Class Action Claimants, consisting of consumers receiving misleading advertising

Representation of the class of consumer claimants in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of American Family Enterprises.  The representation resulted in a settlement of $33 million paid to class members, plus all attorneys’ fees and notice costs.

U.S.  District Court for the District of New Jersey

In re:  American Ship Building Company

American Ship Building Company and Tampa Shipyards Incorporated

Representation of the debtor, a publicly held company with stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and its wholly-owned subsidiary. The representation included the settlement of substantial claims against the United States Navy.  A plan was confirmed in less than one year.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Anchor Glass Container Corporation

Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors

The debtor, Anchor Glass, was the third largest manufacturer of glass products in the  United States  with scheduled assets and liabilities in excess of $600 million.  A plan of reorganization was confirmed with the support of the committee.  Following confirmation, the firm was engaged by the Trustee of the Unsecured Creditors’ Trust to represent him in pursuing claim objections and other matters.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Anclote Psychiatric Hospital, Ltd.

Anclote Psychiatric Hospital, Ltd.

Representation of the debtor which was a psychiatric hospital.  The debtor completed an orderly shutdown and windup of its business in the bankruptcy.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Aneco Electrical Construction, Inc.

Aneco Electrical Construction, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, which, at the time of filing, was the largest electrical subcontractor in the State of Florida .  The representation included the sale of certain operating divisions during the bankruptcy.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Anthony Distributors Inc.; et al.

Anthony Distributors, Inc., et al.

Representation of two related debtors, which were beer distributors in the Tampa Bay area for numerous brands including Miller beer products.  The debtors’ operating assets were sold during the bankruptcy cases and proceeds used to fund a plan which paid creditors in full.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Automotive Service Centers, Inc., et al.

Automotive Service Centers, Inc., et al.

Representation of six related debtors, which collectively were the second largest operators of Midas Muffler shops in the  United States  .  The debtors had over sixty locations.  A plan was confirmed in approximately one year.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Barret Home Corp., f/k/a Arthur Rutenburg Corporation

Barret Home Corp., f/k/a Arthur Rutenburg Corporation

Representation of the debtor, which was one of Florida ’s largest home builders and developers during the 1980s.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Bay Area Travel, Inc.

Bay Area Travel, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, a travel agency, with significant government contracts.  A consensual plan of reorganization was confirmed pursuant to which the company continued to operate its business.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Bay Pointe, Ltd.

Bay Pointe, Ltd.

Representation of the debtor, the owner of a shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store and an Eckerd Drug store.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Bel-Aire Investments, Inc.

Bel-Aire Investments, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, the owner of ten large mobile home parks.  A confirmed plan restructured the mortgage debt and paid unsecured creditors in full.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Bicoastal Corp. (Singer Corp.)

Bicoastal Corp. (Singer Corp.)

Representation of the debtor which was formerly known as The Singer Company.  The case involved over $2 billion in filed claims and assets in excess of $500 million.  Over thirty reported decisions appear in the Bankruptcy Reporter.  A plan was confirmed in less than three years after intensive litigation.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Big Oaks Buick Pontiac GMC, Inc.

Michael Holley

Bankruptcy counsel for the successful purchaser of the General Motors dealership sold during the bankruptcy case.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Bill Heard Enterprises

Bill Heard Enterprises

Conflicts counsel for the debtor, the largest operator of Chevrolet dealerships in the United States . The representation is ongoing.

Northern District of Alabama

In re: Blue Stone Real Estate Construction

Blue Stone Real Estate Construction

Representation of multiple debtors in business of developing real property.  The representation is ongoing.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida .

In re: Bob Wilson Chrysler Jeep Dodge, LLC, et. al

Bob Wilson Chrysler Jeep Dodge, LLC, et. al

Representation of three related debtors which operated Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealerships and owned the real estate on which the dealerships operated. The representation is ongoing.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida .

In re:  Brandy Marinas, Ltd.

Brandy Marinas, Ltd.

Representation of the debtor, the owner of a marina in Clearwater , Florida .

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Caribbean Select, Inc.

Caribbean Select, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, a juice processor.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: C.E.M. Construction Services, Inc.

C.E.M. Construction Services, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, an on-your-lot general contractor in Lee and Collier counties. A plan of reorganization was confirmed on a consensual basis.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Celotex Corporation

Walter Industries, Inc.

Representation of Walter Industries, Inc., the former parent of Celotex Corporation.  Hillsborough Holdings paid $450 million in cash and stock under a confirmed plan of reorganization to settle veil piercing claims.  Walter Industries filed a lawsuit in Tampa bankruptcy court to enforce the settlement agreement and the lawsuit was subsequently settled.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Center for Independent Living

Center for Independent Living

Representation of the debtor, which operated a nursing home in Tampa , Florida .  The assets of the debtor were sold to another operation in the bankruptcy and a plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Centro Asturiano Hospital, Inc.

Centro Asturiano Hospital, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, which was a hospital that had been in existence for over 100 years.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: CHC Industries, Inc.

CHC Industries, Inc.

Representation of the debtor who, on the filing date, was the largest manufacturer of hangers in the  United States  .  The debtor’s assets were liquidated in a number of transactions during the bankruptcy case. A liquidating plan was confirmed which paid creditors in full with interest. 

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Chi-Chi’s, Inc., et al.

Outback Steakhouse, Inc.

Representation of Outback Steakhouse in a $45 acquisition of designation rights to seventy-six restaurant properties which had been formerly operated as Mexican restaurants.  The firm also handled two sub-designation agreements for portions of those properties and litigation involving several disputes with landlords and with the owner of fifteen sale/leaseback properties.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court for the District of Delaware

In re:  John Christo, Jr.

Kenneth Earl Padgett

Representation of the purchaser of the largest bank in Bay County , Florida , in the successful defense of attacks by former owner and the bankruptcy trustee in the former owner’s bankruptcy proceeding alleging fraudulent transfers, preferential transfers, and equitable ownership of bank stock.  These individuals also sought to recover damages in excess of $20 million.  The firm also prevailed on appeal before the Eleventh Circuit and in the United States Supreme Court, which denied certiorari.

U.S. Bankruptcy  and District Courts, Northern District of Florida

In re: Clearwater Cylinder, Inc.

Clearwater Cylinder, Inc.

Representation of the debtor in the business of distributing which was a distributor of new and rebuilt cylinder heads.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Continental Diamond, Inc.

Continental Diamond, Inc.

Representation of the debtor who is a wholesale jeweler engaged in the business of buying and selling diamonds and jewelry.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Continuum Care Services, Inc., d/b/a The Family

Continuum Care Services, Inc.

Representation of the debtor in a case that originally was commenced as an involuntary case.  The debtor operated a 100-bed psychiatric hospital.  The case involved the substantive consolidation of the debtor with a non‑debtor.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Southern District of Florida

In re: Cowcat Enterprises, Inc.

Cowcat Enterprises, Inc.

Representation of the debtor which owned real estate on which operates a psychiatric hospital operated. A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Southern District of Florida

In re:  Cutler Manufacturing Co.

Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors

Representation of the committee of unsecured creditors appointed in this case.  The debtor was a 100 year-old, publicly traded manufacturing company.  On behalf of the committee, the firm successfully backed the plan of the purchaser which was confirmed over the debtor’s objection.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Deb-Lyn, Inc.

Deb-Lyn, Inc.

Representation of the debtor which owned and operated twelve Burger King restaurants in and around Gainesville , Florida .  A plan of reorganization was confirmed under which the Debtor continued to operate its restaurants.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Northern District of Florida

In re:  Diagnostic Instrument Group, Inc.

Diagnostic Instrument Group, Inc.

Representation of the debtor which was engaged in the business of repairing, refurbishing and reselling medical equipment.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Southern District of Florida

In re:  Doctors’ Hospital of Tampa, Ltd.

Doctors’ Hospital of Tampa, Ltd.

Representation of the debtor which operated a hospital in Tampa , Florida .  An auction of the hospital was conducted and the proceeds received from the sale paid the secured debt in full and provided for a significant distribution to unsecured creditors.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Ecoventure Wiggins Pass, Ltd., et. Al

Ecoventure Wiggins Pass, Ltd.

Representation of three related debtors which own a luxury waterfront condominium development and marina facility in  Naples , Florida . After the filing of the cases, the debtors obtained a post-petition financing facility in excess of $26 million, which primed $90 million of pre-petition secured debt. The proceeds of the post-petition facility are being used to complete the development and provides for post-completion maintenance and marketing of the units. The representation is ongoing.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Electrical Machinery Enterprises, Inc.

Electrical Machinery Enterprises, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, an electrical contractor with extensive operations in the Southeast United States and the Caribbean .  A plan was confirmed in one and one-half years, which included the merger of the debtor into a publicly-traded company.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Enterprise Construction, Inc.

Enterprise Construction, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, a luxury homebuilder in  Naples ,  Florida .  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  eSmokes, Inc., et al.,

eSmokes, Inc., ESM Holdings, Inc.

Representation of two related debtors engaged in the business of online sales of tobacco and related products with annual sales in excess of $40 million.  A plan of reorganization was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re Esther Weisman Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Southern Estate Buyers & Appraisers of Tampa

Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors

Angela Esposito, Trustee

Initial representation of the committee of unsecured creditors.  After a chapter 11trustee was appointed, a representation of the trustee in filing and confirming a liquidating plan and pursuing avoidance actions. 

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

Falkner v. Falkner

Special Master

Harley E. Riedel was appointed as Special Master by the United States District Court (Kovachevich, J.) to dispose of various matters and to receive evidence thereon in a large and complex agricultural dispute.  More than 25,000 acres of farmland, including the largest single landholdings in Manatee County , Florida , were the subject of this litigation.

United States District Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Family Group Limited, III

Family Group Limited, III

Representation of the debtor, the owner of two television stations located in Wisconsin .  The debtor’s plan was confirmed over three competing plans filed by creditors or limited partners.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re Fields Co., LLC

Gardner Asphalt Corporation

Representation of Gardner Asphalt Corporation, which had entered into a prepetition term sheet to acquire the assets of the debtor and extend secured financing to the debtor in advance of closing.  The debtor filed a Chapter 11 petition before a definitive contract was reached.  The firm was retained by Gardner six months after the petition date and filed, with the creditors’ committee and the debtor’s major secured creditor, a competing plan of liquidation providing for a sale of the assets to an affiliate at Gardner .  The plan of reorganization was confirmed, and the sale to a Gardner affiliate was closed. 

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Western District of Washington

In re: Florida Equipment, Inc.

Florida Equipment, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, which was a distributor of industrial equipment and also provided repair and maintenance services to the phosphate industry.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Gardinier, Inc.

Florida Crushed Rock, Inc.

Representation of Florida Crushed Rock, a potential purchaser, in the Chapter 11 case of Gardinier, Inc., a large fertilizer manufacturer with over $300 million in debt.

U.S. Bankruptcy  Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Gold Coast Restaurants, Inc., d/b/a Leverock’s Restaurants

Gold Coast Restaurants, Inc.

Representation of the debtor which owned seven restaurants operating under the Leverock’s name.  A liquidating plan of reorganization was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Golden Gem Growers, Inc.

Citrus growers

Representation of citrus growers in the bankruptcy proceeding of a cooperative in opposing the actions of secured creditors who, through the debtor, attempted to recover funds which are typically not allowed to be recovered because growers were cooperative members.  The representation is ongoing.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Green Isles Partners, Ltd., S.E.

Mediator

Successfully mediated disputes related to the confirmation of this chapter 11 case.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida

In re: GSR Development, Inc.

GSR Development, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, which was engaged in the development of condominiums, subdivisions, single family homes, and duplexes.  The debtor was the largest landowner on  Anna   Maria Island . A plan was confirmed with the unanimous vote of unsecured creditors.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Gulf Tampa Drydock, Inc.

Gulf Tampa Drydock, Inc.

Representation of the debtor in a case converted to a chapter 11 case.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida

In re:  Habana Hospital Pharmacy, Inc., d/b/a Habana Pharmacy

Habana   Hospital Pharmacy

Representation of the debtor, a retail pharmaceutical and home health care store.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Harbor Place Associates, Ltd., d/b/a Sheraton Harbor Place

Harbor Place Associates, Ltd.,

Representation of the debtor, the owner of one of the largest hotels in Ft. Myers , Florida , with approximately $40 million in secured debt.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Harbour Oaks Development Corporation

Harbour Oaks Development Corporation

Representation of the debtor, a residential real estate developer.  A majority of the assets were purchased by a third party during the bankruptcy case.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Roger Harloff, et al.

Pharmacia-Upjohn Co.

Representation of Pharmacia-Upjohn Co., a secured claimant in five-related agricultural Chapter 11 cases.  The firm successfully negotiated an adequate protection stipulation and arranged a pre-confirmation sale of the claim.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Hibiscus Suites, LLC

Hibiscus Suites, LLC, et al.

Representation of three related debtors, individuals and two limited liability companies.  The debtors owned a hotel in Sarasota ,  Florida .  Construction of the hotel was completed by using proceeds from a priming loan. A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Hillsborough Holding, Inc., et al.

Walter Industries, Inc., et al.

Representation of thirty-two debtors.  The holding company was a publicly-traded on the New York Stock Exchange prior to a leveraged buyout.  The debtors had corporations with noticeable presence in the home building, coal mining, and industrial pipe fields.  At the time of its filing, this was the largest Chapter 11 case ever filed.  The debtors had unsecured  bonded indebtedness of approximately $1 billion, collateralized trust debt of approximately $2 billion, and secured debt of approximately $500 million.  A plan of reorganization was confirmed four years after filing which paid creditors in full with interest.  The case generated over forty reported decisions.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Independent Wholesale, Inc.

Independent Wholesale, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, a distributor of cigarettes, tobacco products and other items to convenience stores.  The operating assets were sold during the bankruptcy case.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Irwin Yacht Corporation

Irwin Yacht Corporation

Representation of the debtor, a yacht builder.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Isolux America Corporation

Isolux America Corporation

Representation of the debtor, a medical optical company.  A plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: JAM Cruises, Inc.

JAM Cruises, Inc.

Representation of the debtor which was the owner of a cruise ship that had been arrested by a secured creditor on the eve of Thanksgiving.  Emergency motions were filed and orders freeing the vessel were obtained one day after Thanksgiving, resulting in settlement discussions that provided for the restructuring of the preferred ship mortgage and the voluntary dismissal of the case.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  John F. Bassett Enterprises, Inc.

John F. Bassett Enterprises, Inc.

Representation of the debtor, the holding company of the former owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League.  The case was commenced as an involuntary bankruptcy and was converted to a chapter 11 case.  A plan was confirmed with significant distributions to creditors.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Jordyn Holdings, Inc.

Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors

The debtor, the owner of valuable real estate filed a Chapter 11 petition due to a dispute with its secured creditor. A Committee sponsored plan was confirmed.  Following confirmation, the firm was retained to represent the post-confirmation trust.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida-Tampa Division

In re:  JumboSports, Inc., et al.

JumboSports, Inc. f/k/a Sports & Recreation, Inc., Property Holdings Company, I and Guide Series, Inc.

Representation of the debtors in their jointly administered Chapter 11 cases.  One debtor was a publicly traded New York Stock Exchange corporation.  The debtors operated as a  national retailer of sporting goods with assets on the petition date of $367 million and liabilities of $350 million.  A liquidating plan was confirmed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re: Key Developers Group, LLC

Key Developers, LLC

Representation of the debtor, the developer of a 244 unit condominium, in the Channelside District. A plan was confirmed, which provided for the sale of the condominium project.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

In re:  Koger, Inc., et al., The Koger Partnership, Ltd.