FORREST B. LAMMIMAN focuses his practice in the areas of restructuring and bankruptcy, including related litigation and transactional matters. He represents banks, insurance companies, portfolio managers, investment funds, creditors' committees, litigation trusts, and bankruptcy estates in a broad range of restructuring and bankruptcy-related matters. He also represents corporate debtors in Chapter 11 cases and other restructurings. Forrest joined Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle in 2009. Previously he was a partner at Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP from 1991 to 2008, where he was chair of the bankruptcy and restructuring group from 2001 to 2008. Thereafter, Forrest was a partner in the restructuring group at DLA Piper LLP (US), before coming to MP&S.
Forrest has handled virtually every kind of corporate restructuring matter. He has represented secured creditors in enforcing their rights against debtors and other creditors in Chapter 11 cases and other proceedings; secured creditors in disputes with other lenders regarding subordination agreements; reinsurance and insurance companies in defending claims brought by state insurance insolvency receivers; landlords and other creditors in enforcing their rights against debtors; creditors and debtors in litigating avoidance actions and other bankruptcy-related lawsuits; creditors in bringing involuntary petitions against debtors; a Chapter 11 debtor and major creditor in bringing a disgorgement proceeding against a nationally prominent law firm who failed to disclose material conflicts while representing the debtor; sellers and buyers of assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code; and corporate debtors in preparing for and engaging in restructuring, both in Chapter 11 and in out-of-court settings.
Forrest has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights.
Publications: Co-author of the following articles:
- "Five Ways to Prevent the BAPCPA from Abusing Executive Compensation in Chapter 11," Bankruptcy Court Decisions, Vol. 49, Issue 7 (Jan. 22, 2008)
- "Bargaining Away a Seat At the Table: Are Assignments of Voting Rights Enforceable?," Bankruptcy Court Decisions, Vol. 48, Issue 19 (Sept. 18, 2007)
- "'Main Case' is Where Insurer's Principal Place of Business is Located," Bankruptcy Court Decisions, Vol. 47, Issue 2 (2006)
- "Risks for Insurers Facing Asbestos Disease Claims in Chapter 11," Declarations, Winter 2007
- "Discretion and Indiscretions: The Seventh Circuit Rules ," ABI Journal, March 1998
Presentations and Seminars:
- Presenter on Issues of Legal Ethics under the Bankruptcy Code at several seminars, including presentations at the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the Wisconsin State Bar Insolvency Section and the Mid-South Commercial Law Association
- Presenter at Fourth Annual Distressed Debt Investing Forum, on issues relating to Directors and Officers Liability in the Context of Restructuring and Bankruptcy