Eugene J. Geekie Jr.

Partner

Eugene J. Geekie Jr. concentrates his practice in:

• Creditors' rights and general commercial litigation
• Workouts and business reorganizations
• Bankruptcy litigation
• Real estate litigation

In recent years, Mr. Geekie's practice has focused increasingly on representing energy and utility companies in large energy and steel company bankruptcies, such as Enron, Mirant and National Steel. This representation has included defense and prosecution of various breach of contract claims, recovery of assets, as well as preference and fraudulent transfer claims.

He also has a great deal of experience representing purchasers of the operating assets of bankrupt entities through Section 363 sales. His recent experiences include acquisitions of food, transportation, and real estate companies (high-rise, residential housing), with several acquisitions taking place less than 30 days after the execution of the asset purchase agreement.

Mr. Geekie has represented:

• Asset-based lenders and banks in the enforcement of security agreements and guarantees
• Lenders and borrowers in loan workouts and business reorganizations
• A variety of creditors in protecting and asserting their rights in bankruptcy proceedings
• Banks and commercial lenders in the defense of lender liability and securities fraud litigation
• Creditors' committees in medical, food and manufacturing company bankruptcies

He was recently successful in defending a bank, the bank's holding company, and various officers and directors against several multimillion-dollar lender liability claims for alleged misconduct in the making and administration of a loan to a start-up technology company.

Mr. Geekie has:

• More than 20 years of experience assisting lenders in the investigation and litigation regarding fraudulently obtained loans and misappropriation of collateral
• Represented bankruptcy trustees in the investigation and prosecution of fraudulent conduct by debtors and other creditors in bankruptcy proceedings
• Been involved in a variety of partnership litigation matters, including the representation of a partner in a real estate partnership whose partners had breached their fiduciary duties by misappropriating assets and improperly attempting to force minority shareholders to divest their shares
• Experience in other real estate litigation, representing a lender in the foreclosure of its mortgage on a golf course, and another lender in the foreclosure of its mortgage on a shopping mall
  

Publications

"Bankruptcy Claims Trading:  Buyer Beware...Or Not?" Renaissance (Spring 2008)

"The Sub-Prime Loan Mess: Where Did It Come From?" (Co-Author) ABI Commercial Fraud Task Force Committee Newsletter (February 2008)

"The Supreme Court Speaks in Marrama: The Plain Meaning Rule Isn't So Plain Anymore," (Co-Author) The Bankruptcy Strategist (September 2007)

"Postconfirmation Liquidation Vehicles (Including Liquidating Trusts And Postconfirmation  Estates): An Overview," (Co-Author) 16 Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice 2,  Art. 4/39 Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice 201 (April 2007)

"Construction Contract Termination Terms May Be Unenforceable," (Co-Author) http://www.internationallawoffice.com/ (January 22, 2007)

"Troubled Buyers: How to Keep a Bad Situation From Becoming Worse," Edison Electric Institute (2005)

Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice, (11-volume treatise, supplemented quarterly) (Contributing Editor) Thomson West, 2nd ed. (1994)

Awards and Honors

AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Education

Teaching Appointments

Lecturer/Faculty Member, Norton Bankruptcy Litigation Institute

Professional Memberships

Illinois State Bar Association

Chicago Bar Association

American Bankruptcy Institute
Commercial Fraud Task Force
        Contributing Editor

Turnaround Management Association