Gerald Munitz
Practice: Business Reorganization, Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Experience
Jerry's practice has focused exclusively on commercial insolvency law, including the extensive representation of debtors, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, and special interests such as lessors and purchasers of property of the estate. He has represented financial institutions holding fully secured and unsecured claims in out-of-court restructurings and chapter 11 cases. In addition, he has represented lessors of real and personal property, defendants in voidable transfer actions, and parties desiring to acquire the assets of financially distressed businesses. Jerry has extensive experience as debtor's counsel in such major chapter 11 cases as North American Car Corporation, AM International Inc., Pettibone Corporation, Kroh Brothers Inc. and the Kassuba entities.
Jerry was named a "Bankruptcy Legend" by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges for his significant contributions to the administration of bankruptcy law (2004). He was named one of the twelve foremost bankruptcy practitioners in the United States by The Wall Street Journal (1991). Chambers USA describes Jerry as the Chicago Bankruptcy Bar's "Senior Statesman." He was again named an Illinois SuperLawyer in 2012.
Significant Matters: Jerry's major Chapter 11 engagements include:
Debtors: Amdura Corp., AM International, Inc., Atcheson Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad (out of court restructuring), Energy Cooperative, Inc., Goldblatt Bros. Department Stores, Inc., Jartran cases, Kassuba real estate cases, Kroh Bros. Real Estate Development Corp., North American Car Corporation, Pettibone Corp., Rock Island Railroad Corp, VMS Realty, Inc., Wisconsin Steel Corp.
Creditor's Committees: Federated Department Stores, Inc., Nucorp Energy, Inc., Scandinavian Design Corp., UNR Industries, Inc. (first asbestosis case filed).
Other Representations: Comdisco, Inc. (equipment purchaser), Conseco, Inc. (Chicago counsel for senior note holders), GHI Inc. (GATX Corp., lessor of oil refinery and personal property), Outboard Marine Corp. (foreign engine manufacturer), In re Stoecker (largest undersecured creditor), United Airlines, Inc. (aircraft suppliers), Fairview Ministries, Inc. and affiliates (continuing care retirement communities).
Bar Admissions
Jerry is a member of the Illinois state bar and the Federal Court trial bar. He has also been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeal for the 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th Circuits as well as district courts around the country.
Industry Involvement:
- Conferee, National Bankruptcy Conference
- Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy
- Lawyers' Club of Chicago
- Contributing Editor, Collier on Bankruptcy, 16th ed.
- Contributing Editor, Collier on Bankruptcy Practice Guide
- Contributing Editor, Bankruptcy Litigation Manual
- Practicing Law Institute - author of annual supplements to Current Developments in Bankruptcy Law & Reorganization and Basics of Commercial Bankruptcy and Reorganization Law
Education
J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 1960
B.A., University of Michigan, 1955