Profile
Dennis A. Meloro focuses his practice on Chapter 11 cases, with a particular emphasis on bankruptcy-related litigation. He is experienced in representing chapter 11 debtors, unsecured creditors' committees, liquidating trustees, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, DIP lenders, and parties to adversary proceedings. Dennis also has experience in general corporate and commercial litigation in Delaware state courts.
Capabilities
Experience
- Represented Optima Specialty Steel as Debtor in its Chapter 11 case.
- Represented Liberty Medical as Debtor in its Chapter 11 case.
- Represented the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Werner Holding Co. Chapter 11 cases.
- Represented Indianapolis Downs, LLC as Debtor in its Chapter 11 case.
- Represented Last Call Guarantor LLC and several affiliates as Debtors their Chapter 11 case and subsequent 363 sale.
- Represented FriendFinder Networks Inc as Debtor in its Chapter 11 case.
- Represented BackYard Burgers as Debtor in its Chapter 11 case.
- Represented certain bondholders in connection with the Chapter 11 filing of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation.
- Represented certain bondholders in connection with the Chapter 11 filing of AbitibiBowater.
- Represented Chem Rx Corp. as debtor in its Chapter 11 case.
- Represented Syntax-Brillian Corporation as debtor in its Chapter 11 case.
- Represented the official committee of unsecured creditors in the VeraSun Energy Corp. Chapter 11 cases.
- Represented the official committee of unsecured creditors in the ProtoStar Ltd. Chapter 11 cases.
- Represented managing general agent of insurer in obtaining summary judgment dismissing $2.1 million preference claim. In re Railworks Corporation et al. (Guttman v. Construction Program Group), 2012 WL 6681894 (Bankr. D. Md. December 21, 2012).
- Represented Fortune 500 national electronics parts distributor, securing dismissal of a $5.4 million preference claim, the largest preference claim in the case, based on release obtained settling dispute concerning sale proceeds. In re Managed Storage International, Inc. et al. (Burtch v. Avnet, Inc.), 2012 WL 5921723 (Bankr. D. Del. November 26, 2012).
- Represented Fortune 500 national distributor of electronic components through trial and appeal in preference litigation before the U.S. Bankruptcy and District Courts for the District of New Hampshire, decreasing liability from $4.4 million to approximately $500,000. In re Amherst Technologies LLC (Bogdanov v. Avnet, Inc.), 2011 WL 4625698 (D. N.H. September 30, 2011); In re Amherst Technologies LLC (Bogdanov v. Avnet, Inc.), 2010 WL 3517066 (Bankr. D. N. H. September 3, 2010).
- Represented Northwestern Energy Corporation as Debtor in its Chapter 11 case and related litigation.
- Represented the pre- and post-petition secured lenders in the Fleming Companies, Inc. Chapter 11 cases.
- Represented defendants in numerous bankruptcy cases involving the pursuit of preferential transfers, fraudulent conveyances and other causes of action.
- Represented financial institution in connection with a trial and subsequent appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court involving the administration of a charitable trust.
- Represented various brokerages in connection with actions for fraud, unauthorized trading and violations of the Delaware Securities Act.
- Represented brokerage in connection with action involving alleged market-timing and late trading.
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Russell M. Nigro, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 2002-2003
Recognition & Leadership
- Selected, Delaware Today, “Top Lawyers – Bankruptcy/Business,” 2023
- Member, Winning Team, “Distressed M&A Deal of the Year (Small Cap)” for the sale of Nighthawk Energy, Global M&A Network’s Americas M&A Atlas Awards, 2018
- Member, Winning Team, Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas Award, "Chapter 11 Restructuring of the Year - Middle Markets," for the restructuring of Optima Specialty Steel, 2018
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Finance - Restructuring (Including Bankruptcy) - Corporate, 2018
- Member, Winning Team, M&A Advisor's Turnaround Awards, "Sec. 363 Sale of the Year (Over $100MM to $250MM)" for the Section 363 sale of Eastern Outfitters, 2018
- Member, Winning Team, Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas Awards, "Consumer Services Restructuring of the Year" for the acquisition of Last Call Guarantor by Fun Eats and Drinks, 2017
- Member, Winning Team, Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas Awards, "Entertainment Services Restructuring of the Year" for the Chapter 11 plan of reorganization for SFX Entertainment, 2017
- Member, Winning Team, M&A Advisor’s Turnaround Awards, "Sec. 363 Sale of the Year ($25MM to $100MM)" for the Section 363 sale of Last Call Guarantor, LLC, 2017
- Member, Winning Team, M&A Advisor’s Turnaround Awards, "Restructuring of the Year (Over $500mm to $1 Billion)" for the restructuring of FriendFinder Networks, 2015
- Member, Winning Team, ACG New York Champion’s Awards, Technology, Media, Telecom (over $100mm) for Restructuring of FriendFinder Networks Inc. - Senior Secured Notes and Second Lien Notes, 2014
- Member, Winning Team, "Media & Entertainment Turnaround of the Year” for the reorganization of FriendFinder Networks Inc.,” Global M&A Network’s Turnaround Atlas Awards, 2014
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Delaware Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," 2013
- Member, Winning Team, U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Law Firm of the Year" in Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency & Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2013
- Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network
Credentials
Education
-
J.D., cum laude, Widener University School of Law, 2003
- Managing Editor, Widener Law Review
- Corporate Finance Certificate of Achievement
- Dean's Honors List
-
B.A., Economics, Cornell University, 2000
- Dean's Honor List
Admissions
- Delaware
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware