Praised by clients for providing ‘excellent brief writing, wise counsel, and solid legal advice,’ Ballard Spahr LLP is solid choice for creditors and debtors seeking assistance with municipal restructurings and bankruptcies. The group is well-equipped to handle complex Chapter 9 cases, most notably acting on the City of Chester, Pennsylvania’s bankruptcy, cementing its reputation in the US market. Co-leading the department are Philadelphia’s William Rhodes and Matthew Summers, who is based between Delaware and Baltimore; Rhodes specializes in municipal recoveries, with an emphasis on the education sector, while Summers stands out for his experience representing creditors in municipal bankruptcies. Summers’ track record includes acting on the Detroit and San Bernadino, California Chapter 9s, and has led on related litigation and receivership proceedings. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Delaware-based Tobey Daluz, who is noted for being ’strategically focused’ on restructurings, bankruptcies, and workouts. Other key practitioners include Delaware’s Laurel Roglen and Minneapolis-based William Wassweiler.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is extremely well balanced and creative.’
‘They are able to respond very quickly with excellent brief writing, wise counsel, and solid legal advice.’
‘Very down to earth.’
‘Focused on the client's needs.’
‘They are open to creative arguments.’
‘They know black letter bankruptcy law, but are also creative.’
- ‘Tobey Daluz is strategically focused and an excellent presenter.’
Key clients
- The Receiver for the City of Chester, Pennsylvania
- AllianceBernstein L.P.
- Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
- National Federation of Municipal Analysts
- Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority
- Wilmington Trust, National Association
- UMB Bank, N.A.
- Build America Mutual Assurance Company
- U.S. Bank National Association
- The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
- Goldman Sachs
- Morgan Stanley
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Computershare Trust Company
- Midland Loan Services
Work highlights
Advised the City of Chester in its Chapter 9 bankruptcy case.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
William Rhodes
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
William Rhodes; Matthew Summers
Other key lawyers
Tobey Daluz; Laurel Roglen; William Wassweiler