Comprehensive Commercial & Corporate Legal Practice
GSBB Law provides sophisticated legal advocacy spanning commercial bankruptcy reorganizations, Delaware Court of Chancery governance battles, admiralty vessel arrests, complex business litigation, and commercial real estate closings.
Commercial Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights
GSBB Law maintains one of the most respected insolvency practices in the Mid-Atlantic region. Operating at the heart of Delaware’s nation-leading bankruptcy jurisdiction and the federal courts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, our attorneys represent the full spectrum of stakeholders in complex Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 7 liquidations, and out-of-court workouts.
Parties We Regularly Represent:
- Chapter 11 Debtors-in-Possession: Guiding commercial debtors through expedited plan formulation, DIP financing, Section 363 asset sales, and confirmation.
- Official Committees of Unsecured Creditors: Maximizing recoveries for general trade creditors in major corporate restructurings (e.g., Crucible Materials Corporation, Philadelphia Newspapers LLC, Golden County Foods).
- Liquidating & Litigation Trustees: Prosecuting multi-million dollar preference and fraudulent conveyance actions and fiduciary duty claims.
- Prepetition & DIP Secured Lenders: Protecting cash collateral, negotiating adequate protection packages, and structuring credit bids.
- Commercial Landlords & Trade Vendors: Halting lease terminations, resolving critical vendor designations, and curing cure amount disputes.
- Section 363 Asset Purchasers: Conducting expedited due diligence and closing distressed asset acquisitions free and clear of liens.
Adversary Proceedings & Preference Defense:
Firm partners have successfully prosecuted and defended over 1,000 commercial preference and fraudulent transfer avoidance actions, leveraging statutory defenses including the ordinary course of business, subsequent new value, and contemporaneous exchange.
Delaware Court of Chancery Corporate Practice
The Delaware Court of Chancery is the nation’s preeminent judicial forum for resolving internal corporate affairs, mergers and acquisitions disputes, and fiduciary accountability. GSBB Law attorneys regularly appear before the Chancellor and Vice Chancellors on behalf of corporate boards, special litigation committees, majority and minority stockholders, and institutional investors.
Specific Chancery Matters Handled:
- Section 220 Demands: Expedited enforcement of stockholder statutory rights to inspect corporate books, accounting records, and executive communications.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty Litigation: Defending and prosecuting claims against directors and officers involving loyalty, duty of care, oversight, and entire fairness review.
- M&A Disputes & Preliminary Injunctions: Contesting deal protections, bust-up fees, disclosure deficiencies, and hostile takeovers on rapid emergency schedules.
- D&O Indemnification & Advancement: Litigating statutory advancement rights for former directors and officers facing parallel criminal or regulatory investigations.
- Statutory Appraisal Proceedings: Representing stockholders seeking fair judicial valuation of equity in corporate mergers under DGCL Section 262.
- Judicial Dissolution & Custodianship: Breaking deadlocks in closely held corporations and resolving limited liability company disputes.
Commercial Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
GSBB Law balances aggressive courtroom trial advocacy with sophisticated business negotiation. Our litigators try high-stakes commercial cases in the Complex Commercial Litigation Division (CCLD) of the Delaware Superior Court, the Delaware Supreme Court, Pennsylvania courts of common pleas, and federal district and appellate circuits.
Substantive Litigation Areas:
- Complex breach of contract, joint venture breakdowns, and commercial vendor disputes.
- Business torts, tortious interference, unfair competition, fraud, and commercial disparagement.
- Misappropriation of trade secrets, non-compete covenants, and restrictive covenant enforcement.
- Commercial landlord-tenant litigation and commercial lease enforcement.
- Energy litigation, Medicaid/administrative appeals, and environmental statutory actions.
- Certified ADR & Mediation: Several partners serve as court-appointed and private mediators facilitating binding arbitrations and structured workouts.
Maritime & Admiralty Law
Headed by Gary F. Seitz—holder of an LL.M. in Admiralty from Tulane University and longstanding Proctor in Admiralty with the Maritime Law Association of the United States—our maritime practice provides full-spectrum admiralty capabilities along the Delaware River, Port of Philadelphia, and East Coast maritime corridors.
Full-Spectrum Maritime Capabilities:
- Vessel Arrests & Maritime Attachments: Executing emergency Rule C vessel arrests (in rem) and Rule B maritime attachments (in personam) for cargo damage, unpaid charter hire, bunker supplier liens, and maritime default.
- Admiralty Collisions & Casualty Investigation: Lead advisor in major river allisions, collisions, and fatal casualties (e.g. maritime trial advisor in the Philadelphia Duck Boat collision case).
- Oil Pollution & Environmental Defense: Handling emergency response, cleanup compliance, and damage defense under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), Clean Water Act, and MARPOL convention.
- Vessel Transactions & Marine Mortgages: Drafting and closing ship purchase and sale agreements, Preferred Ship Mortgages, charter parties, stevedoring contracts, and marine terminal operating leases.
- Cross-Border Asset Recovery: Coordinating multi-jurisdictional shipping company bankruptcies and international marine lien priorities.
Banking Law & Financial Institution Counseling
GSBB Law counsels national and regional commercial banks, non-bank lenders, and private equity funds in all phases of commercial lending transactions, distressed credit facilities, loan workouts, and judicial collateral foreclosures.
Comprehensive Lending & Workout Scope:
- Commercial loan originations, syndications, participations, and intercreditor agreements.
- Secured collateral documentation spanning commercial real estate, accounts receivable, equipment, aircraft, marine vessels, and intellectual property.
- Forbearance agreements, distressed debt restructurings, and loan modification documentation.
- Delaware and Pennsylvania local counsel opinions on credit facility enforceability and Delaware LLC authority.
Commercial & Residential Real Estate & Entity Law
From early-stage entrepreneurs to institutional developers, GSBB Law guides clients through the life cycle of real estate assets and business entity formation across Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Key Practice Services:
- Commercial Real Estate Closings: Purchase agreements, industrial warehouse developments, multi-family acquisitions, and commercial real estate financing.
- Commercial Leasing: Drafting and negotiating office, retail, industrial, and ground leases from both landlord and tenant perspectives.
- Title & Survey Resolution: Senior paralegal Michelle C. Herbert analyzes complex ALTA title commitments, easements, and boundary encumbrances.
- Entity Formation & Governance: Forming Delaware LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, operating agreements, and founder buy-sell contracts.
- Outside General Counsel: Serving as ongoing legal advisors for growing enterprises without internal legal departments.
Personal & Consumer Bankruptcy & Estate Planning
Led by Erin K. Brignola (inducted Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy) and Michael A. Cataldo (Senior Board Certified by ABI, 10,000+ bankruptcy cases handled), our consumer bankruptcy department provides compassionate, results-driven relief throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania.
Debt Relief & Estate Solutions:
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Complete liquidation of unsecured credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans, granting individuals an immediate fresh start.
- Chapter 13 Debt Reorganization: Halting residential mortgage foreclosures, tax levies, and vehicle repossessions through structured court-supervised repayment plans.
- Small Business Owner Protection: Shielding personal assets and primary residences from corporate guarantee attachments.
- Estate Planning: Preparation of Simple Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney (POA), and Advanced Health Care Directives (Living Wills) to protect your family's future.
Transportation & Logistics Law
Representing national motor carriers, freight brokers, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, freight forwarders, and commercial shippers across the Eastern seaboard and nationwide.
Logistics & Carrier Advocacy:
- Carmack Amendment cargo loss, damage, and delay litigation.
- Emergency 24/7 commercial trucking accident investigation, rapid evidence spoliation prevention, and accident liability management.
- Negotiation of shipper-carrier master transportation contracts, 3PL agreements, and equipment interchange leases.
- Regulatory compliance before the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state transportation departments.
- Distressed transportation workouts, critical vendor defense, and freight charge collection enforcement.
Need Counsel for a Commercial Matter?
Our attorneys are available for direct, confidential discussions regarding your legal matter, transactional needs, or co-counsel opportunities.