George Shuster is a partner in the firm's Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice Group and a member of the Debt Finance Group. He joined the firm in 2000. Mr. Shuster's practice focuses on the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency risk mitigation, out-of-court restructurings and debt finance transactions.
Practice
Mr. Shuster represents creditors, lenders, bondholders, borrowers and debtors in finance, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), bankruptcy and financial restructuring transactions and related litigation. He has particular experience in mitigating insolvency risk in intellectual property transactions and in cross-border insolvency.
Recent Highlights
Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring:
- Representation of technology company in its bid for the patent portfolio of Nortel Networks in its Chapter 11 Section 363 sale
- Representation of investment fund in its bid for the real estate portfolio of Innkeepers USA Trust in its Chapter 11 Section 363 sale
- Representation of energy services company in its stalking horse bid for the assets of Energy and Power Solutions in its Chapter 11 Section 363 sale
- Representation of first lien agent in workout and Chapter 11 restructuring of commercial printing company Workflow Management
- Representation of trade vendors in distressed counterparty transactions and bankruptcies across the US and abroad
- Representation of trustee for investment funds in connection with US bankruptcy and foreign insolvency proceedings of prime broker and affiliates
- Representation of defendants “clawback” actions by fund liquidators in Chapter 15 bankruptcy cases
- Representation of subordinated bondholder committee in media company’s bankruptcy
- Representation of secured bondholder committee in combined US–Mexican restructuring of foreign satellite operator
- Representation of pharmaceutical distributor in wind-down and related litigation and arbitration in US and German proceedings
- Representation of secured bondholder committee in Chapter 11 case of nursing home operator
- Representation of unsecured bondholder committee in pre-packaged Chapter 11 case of Chilean electricity generator
- Representation of manufacturer of telecommunications hardware in its successful Chapter 11 reorganization
Debt Finance:
- Representation of technology company in $500 million credit facility
- Representation of toy manufacturer and distributor in $500 million credit facility
- Representation of community lender in $25 million credit facility
- Representation of prepared food manufacturer in $28.5 million multi-party refinancing
- Representation of energy company in credit aspects of customer settlement
- Representation of biotechnology company in $50 million credit facility
Pro Bono Highlights:
- Representation of private foundation seeking purchase of defunct Rocky Point Amusement Park as a Rhode Island state park
- Representation of 80-year-old, New Hampshire, family-owned boarding inn in successful Chapter 11 case and related fraudulent transfer litigation
- Representation of Georgia farmer in successful reply to US Supreme Court petition seeking recovery of disaster relief proceeds
- Representation of Massachusetts consumer debtor in Chapter 7 case and as amicus curiae in related US Supreme Court litigation
Honors and Awards
- Recognized as a Massachusetts leader in the Bankruptcy/Restructuring field in the 2010 and 2011 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
- Named a "Massachusetts Super Lawyers' Rising Star" in the bankruptcy and workout area in the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011 issues of Boston Magazine. Named a "New England Super Lawyer" (formerly Massachusetts Super Lawyer") in 2008.
2010 & 2011 Speaking Engagements
- American Bankruptcy Institute Northeast Conference, Panel Speaker – Chapter 11 Issues – Summer 2011
- New York University, School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, Guest Lecturer – Analyzing and Buying Distressed Real Estate – New York City – Spring Term 2010
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), Annual Mid-Winter Conference, Panel Speaker – Buying Intellectual Property Out of Bankruptcy – La Quinta, California – January 2010
2010 & 2011 Publications
- George W. Shuster, Jr., John D. Sigel, Meg McKenzie Feist, and Benjamin W. Loveland, "In re Qimonda AG: Protections for Intellectual Property Licensees in Cross-Border Insolvencies" BFR Alert (November 4, 2011)
- George W. Shuster, Jr., John D. Sigel, and Katelyn Rood, “Sand Traps for the Unwary: Golf Course Case Questions the Finality of ‘Free and Clear” Sale Orders by Bankruptcy Courts” BFR Alert (April 28, 2011)
- George W. Shuster, Jr. and John D. Sigel, “Trading Away Priority? Implications of Seventh Circuit Decision in United Air Lines on Bankruptcy Claims Trading & Contract Assumption” BFR Alert (February 23, 2011)
- George W. Shuster, Jr. and Lipi M. Patel, “Multiple Claims Toward a Single Satisfaction: Interpreting the “Single Satisfaction” Rule with Respect to Bankruptcy Claims” BFR Alert (October 13, 2010)
- Mitchel Appelbaum, George W. Shuster, Jr., and Melanie J. Dritz, “Recent Decisions in Saad, Metcalfe, and Condor. Chapter 15 Re-energized” BFR Alert (March 25, 2010)
- George W. Shuster, Jr., John D. Sigel, "Debtor-in-Possession and Exit Financing in Multi-Lender and Multi-Tranche Facilities," Debtor-in-Possession and Exit Financing (Aspatore Books, February 2010)
- Andrew N. Goldman, George W. Shuster, Jr. "Breaking Up Is Easier To Do: Third Circuit Denies Section 363 Buyer Its 'Break-Up Fee' in Reliant Energy Decision" BFR Alert (January 20, 2010)
