Francis J. Lawall
Francis J. Lawall, a partner in the law firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP, concentrates in national bankruptcy and reorganization matters, including the representation of creditor committees involving nursing homes and rehabilitation centers throughout the United States. He also has experience in the reorganization of companies plagued with massive toxic tort liabilities, as well as companies in the energy, textile, automotive, clothing and construction materials industries.
Mr. Lawall has lectured and published on bankruptcy issues. He has presented seminars to the American Bar Association, Subcommittee on Mass and Massive Torts, concerning the use of limited fund class actions as an alternative to bankruptcy. In addition, he routinely lectures to various creditor groups concerning general bankruptcy issues, including preferences, reclamation, the role of creditors’ committees and related issues. He is co-author of “How to Turn Around a Corporation Plagued with Mass Toxic Torts,” Workouts & Turnarounds, The Handbook of Restructuring and Investing in Distressed Companies; and “Representing the Performance Bond Surety,” Construction Defaults: Rights, Duties and Liabilities and “Identify the Problem and Developing a Solution,” (Winning Legal Strategies for Bankruptcy and Restructuring).
Representative cases in which Mr. Lawall has participated include:
- Trenton Convalescent Center Urban Renewal Associates, L.P., et al., Chapter 11 proceeding,
Camden, New Jersey — representation of creditors’ committee
- Memorial Hospital, Roxborough, Chapter 11 proceeding, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —representation of creditors’ committee
- Progressive Healthcare of Hudson County, LP, Chapter 11 proceeding, Newark, New Jersey — representation of creditors’ committee
- RHA/Pennsylvania Nursing Homes, Inc., Chapter 11 proceeding, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — representation of creditors’ committee
- Logan Square East, Chapter 11 proceeding, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — representation of creditors’ committee
- Fairview Retirement Center, Chapter 11 proceeding, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — representation of major oil company creditor
- Integrated Healthcare, Chapter 11 proceeding, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — representation of major unsecured creditor
- Metalforming Technologies, Inc., et al, Chapter 11 proceeding Wilmington, Delaware — representation of creditors’ committee
- Androscoggin Energy LLC, Chapter 11 proceeding, Bangor, Maine — representation of creditors’ committee
- Plassein Inc., Chapter 11 proceeding, Delaware – representation of Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- North American Energy Conservation, Inc., Chapter 11 proceeding, New York — representation of Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Phoenix Petroleum, Inc., Chapter 11 proceeding, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — representation of Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
- Walnut Equipment Leasing Company, Inc., Chapter 11 proceeding, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — representation of Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors.
Mr. Lawall is highly rated in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2006-2010) and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America.
Education
B.A. 1981, summa cum laude, Temple University
M.A. 1982 Temple University
J.D. 1985 Temple University School of Law; editorial board, Temple Law Review
Bar Admissions
Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
