CONTACT INFORMATION

Chicago t 312.258.5635 f 312.258.5600 E-mail Download vCard

PRACTICE AREAS

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

News

Eugene J. Geekie Jr.

Partner



In My Own Words

Schiff Hardin

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, as well as in automotive (General Motors, Chrysler, Delphi) and financial institution (Lehman Brothers) bankruptcies. This representation has included defense and prosecution of various breach of contract claims, recovery of assets, as well as preference and fraudulent transfer litigation.

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
  • Commodity traders and market makers regarding improper trading and insolvency issues
  • Banks and commercial lenders in the defense of lender liability and securities fraud litigation
  • Creditors' committees in medical, food and manufacturing company bankruptcies
  • Trustees in various bankruptcy cases, including technology companies
  • Court appointed federal receivers, most recently a receiver for a large produce distributor, which case involved significant issues regarding the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA)

He was recently successful in preventing the confirmation of the plan of reorganization of a natural gas remarketing company, where the plan sought to improperly benefit insiders of the bankrupt corporation at the expense of legitimate creditors. Another recent success involved the defense of 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, including the representation of a lender in the foreclosure of its mortgage on golf courses, shopping malls, and office buildings

Publications

"Increased Conversions: How to Get Paid for Post-Petition/Pre-Conversion Periods," (co-author) 16th Annual Bankruptcy Utility Conference (October 2009)

"Corporate Bargain Hunting In The Bankruptcy Bin," (co-author) Law360 (Sept. 9, 2009)

Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice Treatise (contributing editor) Thompson West, 3d ed. (2008)

"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)

Awards and Honors

Illinois Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights
Leading Lawyer — Bankruptcy & Workout: Commercial; Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections, Illinois Leading Lawyers Network
Martindale-Hubbell — A/V Rated

Education

Saint Louis University School of Law(J.D., cum laude, 1986)Editor, Saint Louis University Law Journal
Saint Louis University(B.S., B.A., summa cum laude, 1983)

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
DailyDAC LLC
Advisory Board