Joseph M. Vann, chairman of CTSW’s Creditor’s Rights and Bankruptcy practice, has developed a diversified practice representing commercial and real estate lenders, creditors’ committees, equity committees, portfolio purchasers, debtors, trade vendors, investors and trustees in all aspects of chapter 11 practice. Joe has appeared in bankruptcy courts in New York, New Jersey, California, Minnesota, Delaware, Georgia and numerous other jurisdictions across the country. Joe also handles corporate finance and litigation matters for all types of corporate and real estate clients, which makes him the “go-to” lawyer for all facets of distressed situations.
Joe has represented the official committee of unsecured creditors of Eos Airlines, Inc., the official committee of unsecured creditors of Fortunoff’s Inc., the official committee of unsecured creditors of Galey & Lord, Inc., the official committee of unsecured creditors of Ziff-Davis Media, Inc., the Secured Trade Vendor Trustee in Friedman’s, Inc., the official committee of unsecured creditors of Hoff Jewelers, Inc., a regional jewelry retailer in the Midwest, the equity committee of Actrade Financial Technologies, Ltd., and the official committee of unsecured creditors of About Time, Inc., a regional watch retailer in the Southeast. Other assignments have included representation of a co-chair of the official committee of unsecured creditors for Service Merchandise, Inc. (Nashville, Tennessee); thirty-five non-debtor affiliates of American Tissue, Inc. (Wilmington, Delaware); Olympia & York (commercial bank), Trader Horn (real estate lender), Alexander’s (exit lender), Kitty Hawk Airlines, Inc. (creditors’ committee member), MaxJet Airways (Chair of Creditors Committee), Leslie Faye Companies (commercial bank – preference defendant), Fenley & Nichol (commercial bank), Wittnauer International (purchaser), Island Mortgage, Corp. (secured creditor), Ultra Jewelry, Inc. (committee member), and Wertheimers Department Stores (commercial bank).
Joe has lectured extensively to trade groups and financial institutions on lending, bankruptcy and related topics.
After graduating from law school, Joe clerked for the Honorable Alan H.W. Shiff, United States Bankruptcy Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut.
Education:
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D., 1987
Cardozo Moot Court Board
Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal
Yeshiva University, B.A., 1984
Admissions:
New York, New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
Member:
New York State Bar Association
American Bar Association
American Bankruptcy Institute
