Bankruptcy & Insolvency

For partner R. William Jonas, Jr., one of the focuses of legal practice is bankruptcy and insolvency. Mr. Jonas has represented creditors, debtors, trustees and committees in reorganization cases and related litigation. An area of special interest within the insolvency practice for Mr. Jonas is in the representation of farmers throughout Northern Indiana in their efforts to restructure debt and remain on their family farms. In addition to the insolvency area, Mr. Jonas represents farmers in other areas of agricultural law. Mr. Jonas has experience handling a number of farming operations from grain producers, livestock operations (hogs, cattle and llamas), dairy operations and specialty farmers raising popcorn, blueberries, mint and other commodities. Mr. Jonas has also served as a Chapter 12 Trustee (for family farmer cases) in the South Bend and Fort Wayne Divisions, and as a mediator of bankruptcy disputes.

Mr. Jonas has represented debtors throughout the Northern District of Indiana, handling cases before bankruptcy judges sitting in South Bend, Fort Wayne, and the Hammond Division at Gary. Mr. Jonas is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights Section of the Indiana State Bar Association.

Mr. Jonas has participated in the following notable bankruptcy proceedings:

• Dennis Bamber, Inc. (Woodwind and Brasswind) – Local Counsel for LaSalle Bank, secured lender of $25M to nation’s third-largest musical instrument seller.
• GS Consulting – Lead counsel for creditors Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Inc., and Memorial Medical Group; forced change of venue of bankruptcy proceeding from debtor’s state of incorporation (Delaware) to Northern District of Indiana, debtor’s primary place of business.
• Uniroyal – Local counsel for Creditor’s Committee in Chapter 11 of major national company, with extensive litigation regarding employee pensions.
• Glen and Martha Roberts – Debtors‘ counsel in successful restructuring of debt for grain producer farming in excess of 1,000 acres in Marshall and Starke counties.
• Paul and Ruth Moon – Debtors’ counsel in successful restructuring of farming operation in LaPorte County, Indiana; case involved successful prosecution of adversary proceeding involving stray voltage damage to dairy herd.
• Michael and Barbara Miller – Debtors’ counsel in Chapter 12 for grain operation of more than 500 acres; case involved successful prosecution of adversary proceeding against company which damaged crops due to failure to properly apply chemical fertilizer and weed spray.