Restructuring and finance lawyer, guiding lenders and creditors through complex bankruptcy, workout, and commercial loan matters with practical, business-focused counsel
"I appreciate Matthew's legal knowledge and his ability to combine that with his business acumen. He is dedicated, practical and business-oriented."
Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring client
"Matthew is very responsive and always available."
Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring client
"I appreciate Matthew's legal knowledge and his ability to combine that with his business acumen. He is dedicated, practical and business-oriented."
Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring client
"Matthew is very responsive and always available."
Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring client
Matt represents financial institutions in matters relating to business reorganization, loan restructuring, bankruptcy, and commercial finance law. Additionally, he has provided financial restructuring and other strategic advice in many of Reed Smith’s creditors’ committee representations. Matt appears regularly in bankruptcy courts in the Southern District of New York, the District of Delaware, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the District of New Jersey.
In his bank finance practice, Matt has been counsel to lenders and agent banks in the negotiation and documentation of commercial loan transactions, including senior and subordinated, secured and unsecured, and asset-based credits. He has also represented various traditional and non-traditional lender entities in the purchase and sale of par and below-par loans.
Experience
Representative matters
Represented a national bank, as agent for a group of lenders which made $400 million of loans secured by four commercial office buildings in California.
Represented a national bank, as agent for a group of lenders, in the out-of-court workout of a $1.1 billion loan to a U.S. manufacturer/retailer of consumer products.
Represented a national bank, as agent for a group of lenders owed over $400 million, in the pre-bankruptcy and Delaware chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings of Jackson Hewitt, Inc. The lenders were ultimately repaid in part and granted equity in the reorganized debtor.
Representative Experience
Represented a national bank, as agent for a group of lenders which made $400 million of loans secured by four commercial office buildings in California.
Represented a national bank, as agent for a group of lenders, in the out-of-court workout of a $1.1 billion loan to a U.S. manufacturer/retailer of consumer products.
Represented a national bank, as agent for a group of lenders owed over $400 million, in the pre-bankruptcy and Delaware chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings of Jackson Hewitt, Inc. The lenders were ultimately repaid in part and granted equity in the reorganized debtor.
Represented a national bank, as agent for a group of lenders owed over $50 million, in the pre-bankruptcy and Miami chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings of National Auto Lenders. The lenders provided exit financing as part of the confirmation of the bankruptcy case and were ultimately paid in full.
Represented a national bank in California receivership proceedings, as agent for a syndicate of lenders, who made $70 million of loans to a company in the steel trading business operating in California and Texas. All of the assets were liquidated in the receivership process.
Represented a national bank, prior to and throughout chapter 11 proceedings, as agent for a syndicate of lenders who made approximately $80 million in loans to FM Coal, an Alabama-based coal company. The company reorganized with the syndicate providing post-bankruptcy filings as part of the chapter 11 plan.
Represented a national bank, prior to and throughout chapter 11 proceedings, as agent for a group of lenders who made $150 million in loans to Neighbors Health, a company that owned approximately thirty stand-alone emergency rooms in Texas and other states. The assets were ultimately sold via a 363 sale.
Represented a national bank, as agent for a group of lenders owed over $350 million, in the pre-bankruptcy and Grand Rapids, Michigan bankruptcy of Gainey Transportation. The assets of the debtors were ultimately sold in a 363 sale.
Represent lender group in Brown Publishing bankruptcy proceedings and successful acquisition of Company through 363 sale.
Represent lender group in Riviera Casinos.
Represent lender group in Gainey Transportation bankruptcy proceedings.
Represent secured lender and DIP lender in Uniroyal Technology Corporation bankruptcy proceedings.
Represent lender group and DIP lender in Kleinert's Inc. proceedings.
Represent secured lender and DIP lender in Denman Tire bankruptcy proceedings.
Represent lender group in Heritage Highgate bankruptcy proceedings.
Represent hedge fund in $40 million asset-based loan to national mechanical contractor.
Represent specialty financier in multiple asset-based loans to chemical company, second-tier automotive and transportation company, packaging companies and others.
Represent national bank in single lender $20 million asset-based loan to mining company.
Represent syndicate lenders in agented asset-based loans, with particular focus in chemical, specialty metals and rental equipment industries.
Representation of lender in mortgage foreclosure of multi-family, age-restricted apartment project owned by an urban renewal entity and subject to a PILOT agreement and subsequent representation in chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in getting relief from the automatic stay to proceed with receivership, which led to sale of the property pursuant to the receivership proceedings.
Ranked in Chambers USA for Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds – Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2014, 2016-2025, and for Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds – Banking & Finance, 2023-2025. Chambers USA is issued by Chambers and Partners. A description of the selection methodology can be found at chambers.com.*
*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Credentials
Education
University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1992, J.D.
University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, 1989, B.S.
Professional admissions & qualifications
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Professional affiliations
Pennsylvania Bar Association
New Jersey State Bar Association
Business Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association
