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Peter J. Rathwell

Peter J. Rathwell

Of Counsel| Phoenix

Pete Rathwell's practice is concentrated primarily in representing creditors in bankruptcy, insolvency, collections, and other troubled commercial matters.

Representative Matters

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  • Represented secured creditors claims of $16,000,000 in the reorganization of seven office buildings in Arizona and Colorado
  • Represented secured creditor claims of $10,000,000 and $7,000,000 in the reorganization of two apartment buildings in Tucson, Arizona
  • Represented secured creditor in $10,000,000 aircraft replevin and residual recovery
  • Represented judgment creditor in recovery against a $2,000,000 aircraft asset of Mexican debtor
  • Represented unsecured reclamation creditor claims of $8,000,000 in Arizona drug store company reorganization
  • Represented secured construction creditor with mechanics lien priority claims in excess of $6,000,000 and $5,000,000, respectively, in two Nevada casino reorganizations against disputed priority bondholders claims in excess of $120,000,000 and several lender claims of over $90,000,000, respectively
  • Represented group of utility companies with collective claims of over $7,000,000 in Circle K bankruptcy
  • Represented $5,000,000 secured lien and represented utility creditors with adequate protection claims in Greyhound, National Gypsum, Southland Corp., and Al Copeland bankruptcy cases
  • Represented Reclamation Creditor for recoveries in Asarco, Winn-Dixie Stores, Flemming Foods, Phar Mor, Bill's Dollar Stores, Rose's Department Stores, F&M Distributors, Caldor Corporation, In Re Lollipop, Inc., and Jitney Jungle Stores
  • Defended against $7,000,000 in reclamation claims in MicroAge, Inc. bankruptcy
  • Defended against $1,500,000 in preference claims in International Fibercom, Inc. bankruptcy

Education

  • University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law (J.D., 1968)
  • University of Arizona (B.A., 1965)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • State Bar of Arizona and American Bar Association; Creditors Debtors Rights Section; Business Law Section; Bankruptcy Section
  • State Bar of Arizona Disciplinary Hearing Committee, Former Chairman
  • Founding Fellow, Arizona Bar Foundation and Maricopa County Bar Foundation
  • American Bankruptcy Institute, Board of Advisors and Past Co-Chair for Southwest Bankruptcy Institute Conference

Representative Presentations and Publications

  • American Bankruptcy Institute Presenter
  • Southwest Bankruptcy Institute Presenter
  • Lorman Educational Service, Lecturer
  • National Business Institute Presenter
  • Edison Electric League Presenter

Professional Recognition and Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bankruptcy Litigation (1987-2019)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights (2007-2018)
  • Super Lawyers®, Bankruptcy - Business Edition (2011)
  • Super Lawyers®, Bankruptcy - Corporate Counsel Edition (2009-2010)
  • Arizona's Finest Lawyers
  • Who's Who

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona
  • United States District Court, District of Michigan
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • United States District Court, District of Texas
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona