Joe concentrated his practice on creditors’ rights, bankruptcy transactions and receiverships. He was formerly the Managing Partner of the firm’s Seattle office and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. 

He had broad experience in bankruptcy cases involving software, telecommunication and technology companies, health care entities, retailers, vessels, heavy equipment, office buildings, real estate developments, ranches and farms, hotels and parking garages.

In bankruptcy proceedings, Joe represented:

• buyers and sellers
• creditors
• creditors’ committees
• debtors-in-possession
• guarantors
• lessors and lessees
• licensors and licensees
• receivers
• trustees

Representative Matters

Creditor’s Rights

• Lead counsel for Microsoft Corporation in bankruptcy cases nationally, especially regarding matters for Microsoft Licensing GP and Microsoft Online, Inc.
• In re Fairfield Residential LLC (Bankr. DEL): Represent Allstate Life Insurance Company for claims on guarantees.
• In re The Catholic Bishop of Spokane (Bankr. E.D. WA): Represent Tort Claimants’ Committee. Instrumental in concept and drafting of Plan of Reorganization.

Receiverships and Foreclosures

• Counsel for Union Bank, N.A., for troubled loans and REO properties in Washington state acquired from the Federal Deposit Insurance Company as receiver of Frontier Bank.
• Counsel for secured lenders in complicated workouts and foreclosures of commercial real and personal property.
• Counsel for general and custodial receivers appointed under Washington Receivership Act.

Bankruptcy Transactions

• In re Skagit Gardens, Inc. (Bankr. W.D. WA): Represent Skagit Horticulture LLC as successful competing bidder for purchase of substantially all of the assets of the debtor.
• In re Coast Crane Company (Bankr. W.D. WA): Represent Essex Rental Corp as successful competing bidder for purchase of substantially all of the assets of the debtor.
• In re Stayton SW Assisted Living, L.L.C.(the Consolidated Sunwest Related Entities) (Bankr. OR): Represent Emeritus Corporation as member of successful stalking horse bidder for purchase of substantially all of the assets of the debtor.
• In re Trident Waterworks, Inc. (Bankr. W.D. WA): Represent Consolidated Supply as successful stalking horse bidder for purchase of substantially all of the assets of the debtor.

Reported Decisions

• MUFG Union Bank N.A. v. Campadore, Washington Court of Appeals, March 2017
• Union Bank, N.A. v. Blanchard, Washington Court of Appeals, June 2016
• Frontier Bank v. Bingo Investments, LLC, Washington Court of Appeals, November 2015
• Williams v. Athletic Field, Inc., 172 Wn. 2d 683 (2011)
• Triad Intern. Maintenance Corp. v. AIM Aviation, Inc., 473 F. Supp. 2d 666 (M.D.N.C. 2006)
• Harbor Steps Ltd. Partnership v. Seattle Technical Finishing, Inc., 93 Wn. App. 792 (1999)
• In re Virtual Vision, Inc., 124 F.3d 1140 (9th Cir. 1997)
• McIntyre v. State, Dept. of Health, Medical Disciplinary Board, 133 Wn. 2d 859 (1997)
• In re Parker Refrigerated Service, Inc., 173 B.R. 704 (Bankr. W.D. Wash. 1994)
• Stoumbos v. Kilimnik, 988 F.2d 949 (9th Cir. 1993)
• In re Kemp Pacific Fisheries, Inc., 136 B.R. 268 (W.D. Wash. 1990)