Christopher B. Wick specializes in corporate restructuring and bankruptcy. Chris focuses his practice on corporate reorganizations, workouts, debtors’ and creditors’ rights and corporate transactions across the United States. He has represented parties in the restructuring, reorganization or sale of complex business in various industries, including energy, automotive, agriculture, telecommunications, logistics, manufacturing, real estate and steel. He also has a broad range of transactional experience and has advised clients in connection with a variety of DIP financing facilities, recapitalization transactions and asset dispositions and acquisitions.
Chris has substantial experience representing and advising companies, buyers and investors in all aspects of distressed and insolvency situations. He counsels boards of directors, chief executive offices and other members of senior management with respect to their duties and obligations to and exposures in connection with financially challenged companies.
Professional History
• Partner, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, 2009-present; Associate, 2003-08
• Associate, Arter & Hadden, LLP 2001-03
• Law Clerk, Honorable Judge David H. Adams, United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern • District of Virginia, 2000-01
A Few Clients
• Crown Castle USA Inc.
• BMW Financial Services NA, LLC
• Atlas Resources, LLC
• Advanced Atomization Technologies, LLC
Experience
• In re Windstream Holdings, Inc. al., Case No. 19-22312, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York – Represent Crown Castle as a member of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, including the negotiation of an $11.8 million cure claim dispute arising out of the debtors’ desire to continue their relationship with Crown Castle.
• In re Alpha Entertainment, LLC; Case No. 20-10940 – United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware – Represent Crown Castle in an executory contract rejection dispute.
• In re Frontier Communications Corporation, et. al.; Case No. 20-22476, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York – Represent Crown Castle as a general unsecured trade creditor in the bankruptcy case of a national provided of telecommunications services in 29 states and the country’s forth largest incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”).
• In re Speedcast International Limited, et. al.; Case No. 20-32243, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas – Represent Crown Castle in chapter 11 bankruptcy of satellite technology company, including the assumption of Crown Castle’s executory contracts and payment of its cure claim.
• In re Point.360; Case No. 17-22432; United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California – Represent Crown Castle Fiber in the chapter 11 bankruptcy of a video post-production company, including the assumption of Crown Castle’s executory contracts and payment of significant unpaid invoices.
• In re Limitless Mobile, LLC, Case No. 16-12685, United States Bankruptcy Court of Delaware – Represent cell phone tower provider in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy of a rural wireless provider in Harrisburg, PA, including position on the official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and the Post Confirmation Liquidating Trust.
• In re D&L Energy Inc., Case No. 13-40813, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio – Represents an oil and gas exploration and production company participating in certain joint ventures with the debtor entity, which has undertaken an effort to sell its assets.
• In re Casa Media Partners, LLC; case 15-16741; U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Southern District of Florida.
• Arch Coal, Inc. case No. 16-40120, U.S., Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division.
• Ariana Energy, LLC, case No. 14-51199-6RS, U.S. Bankruptcy Eastern District of Kentucky, Lexington.
• In re Stelera Wireless LLC, Case No. 13-13267, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Oklahoma – Represents a cell phone tower provider in the liquidation of a rural wireless communications network.
• In re Evans Oil Company, et. al., Case No. 9:11 – bk – 01515, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida – Represented Debtors in the restructuring of $35 million of secured debt and sale of the business entities.
• In re Maritime Communications/Land Mobile, LLC Case No: 11-13463; United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Mississippi – Represents a cell phone tower provider in the sale of a wireless communications network.
• In re Arts Dairy LLC, Case No. 09-32386, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio - Representing the secured lender to dairy farm operations of several-million-dollar credit.
• AgStar Financial Services, FLCA. Plaintiffs in several Federal Court foreclosures and receiverships in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and Northern District of Indiana.
• In re Metalworks et. al., Case No. CV-09-687448, Cuyahoga County Ohio Court of Common Pleas - Represented a Tier 2 automotive supplier company in its restructuring and ultimate payout of its secured lender’s $35 million debt. In March 2009, filed state court dissolution proceeding to effectuate the sale of remaining assets, resulting in a substantial recovery for unsecured creditors.
• In re Zohar Waterworks, LLC, Case No. 09-11179, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware - Represented a privately held leasing firm in Delaware Chapter 11 case in which the debtor had leased assets from a $20 million sale leaseback transaction.
• In re Kiebler Recreation LLC, Case No. 10-15099, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio - Represented the unsecured creditors' committee in a New York located ski resort.
• Advantage Renovations, Inc. v. Maui Sands Resort Co., LLC, Case No. 08-CV0894 in the Erie County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas – Represent receiver of a failed water park/hotel resort.
• Other Chapter 11 bankruptcy representations include Nippon Electric Glass America, Inc. (Debtor); Horizon PCS Inc. (trade creditor, unsecured creditors’ committee); Weirton Steel Corporation (trade creditor, unsecured creditors’ committee member); Republic Engineered Products (secured lenders); Quaker City Castings (unsecured creditors’ committee); Ohio Cast Products (unsecured creditors’ committee); and National Century Financial Enterprises Inc. (litigant/creditor).
• Recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy representations also include Nippon Electric Glass America, Inc. (Debtor); Horizon PCS, Inc. (trade creditor, unsecured creditors’ committee); Weirton Steel Corporation (trade creditor, unsecured creditors’ committee member); Republic Engineered Products (secured lenders); Quaker City Castings (unsecured creditors’ committee); Ohio Cast Products (unsecured creditors’ committee); and National Century Financial Enterprises, Inc. (Litigant/Creditor).
Publications & Speaking Engagements
Congress Reopens the Paycheck Protection Program
January 21, 2021
The Nuts & Bolts of a 363 Motion
February 27, 2019
Bankruptcy Claims Trading
October 11, 2018
Litigation Funder Monetizes Portion of Fraudulent Transfer Judgment in Cutting-Edge Transaction
September 19, 2016
You Keep Using That Word: What Good Faith Impairment Means in a Reorganization Plan
April 01, 2016
The Intersection of Intellectual Property Law and Bankruptcy Law
January 01, 2016
Bank Restructuring Challenges Current Issues in Energy Bankruptcies for the Energy Market
October 29, 2015
Community Involvement
Friends of the Achievement Centers for Children, Board Member, 2007-present
Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer
Cleveland Bridge Builders, Member, Flagship Program, Class of 2007
Mayfield Sandridge Club, Member
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Bankruptcy By-Pass Program, Pro bono legal representative
Awards & Distinctions
The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency, 2016-21
Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/ Restructuring, 2015-20
Ohio Super Lawyers®, 2014-21
Rising Star, Ohio Super Lawyers®, 2001-06, 2010-13
Memberships & Affiliations
American Bankruptcy Institute Mid-Atlantic Conference Advisory Board, 2011-present
American Bankruptcy Institute, Member, 2004-present
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member, 2001-present
