Chris Horvay concentrates his practice in the representation of senior creditors and asset-based lenders in complex litigation, workout, and bankruptcy matters. His practice involves the representation of asset-based lenders in complex commercial foreclosures and litigation disputes as well as the representation of creditor committees in litigation relating to fraudulent conveyances.  Chris was recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2008.

Recent creditor representations include senior secured lenders in Clark Retail Enterprises and United Airlines, significant landlord interests in K-Mart Corporation, and special counsel to plaintiffs in Price vs. Philip Morris. He has also served as debtor's counsel in a number of significant business bankruptcy cases, including Ben Franklin Stores in the Northern District of Illinois and Zwicker Knitting Mills in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. He has also represented numerous asset purchasers (including the purchaser in Newport News, Inc., and Spiegel Catalog, Inc.) and sellers in transactions involving troubled companies as well as assignees for benefit of creditors in out-of-court liquidations.  Recently, he has also defended former directors and officers of troubled companies in response to litigation brought against them by trustees of liquidation trusts.

He previously served as a National Director of the Turnaround Management Association (1999-2002) and also served (1997-98) as President of the Chicago Chapter of TMA.  In 2004, he was recognized by the Chicago Chapter as its Educator of the Year.

Presentations

• Current Issues Raised by the Bankruptcy Abuse, Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (Panel Member), Business Valuation Association of Chicago, March 2006
• Guest commentator at the Kratovil Institute lecture series, The John Marshall Law School, May 2004
• Commercial Loan Workouts/Bankruptcy Workshop, Executive Enterprises, November 1998
• Show Me The Money: Funding Turnarounds (Panel Member), Turnaround Management Association Annual Conference, October 1998
• Bankruptcy From the Creditor's Perspective, Executive Enterprises, June 1998 (New York) and June 1998(Chicago)
• Dealing with Third Party Interlopers/Remedies Upon Default/Brief Introduction to Bankruptcy, Executive Enterprises' Commercial Loan Workouts and Bankruptcy Workshop, June 1998
• Recent Developments In Finance That Every Lender Needs To Know/Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Law, Commercial Finance Association Midwest Chapter, May 1998
• Commercial Loan Workouts Where Credit Meets the Loan/General Legal Considerations in a Loan Workout-Program Areas for Lenders, The Banking Law Institute, November 1997
• Landlord's Rights in Retail Bankruptcies, Law Education Institute, Inc. and The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. National CLE Conference, January 1997
• Know your Adversaries (Panel Member), Breakfast Forum Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association, January 1997
• Engagement Letters, Turnaround Management Association Annual Conference on Managing Change: Creating Financial Opportunities, November 1996
• Initial Stages of a Turnaround (Moderator), Education Subcommittee Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association, November 1995
• Troubleco/Negotiations With Lenders and Vendors (Panel Member), Turnaround Management Association Annual Conference on Skill Builder I: Negotiating With Lenders and Vendors Enhancing Corporate Viability, October 1995

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• Member, Board of Visitors, Syracuse University College of Arts & Sciences (2004 - present)
• Named TMA's Educator of the Year (October, 2004)
• Chicago/Midwest Chapter of The Turnaround Management Association (President, 1997-1998)
• The Turnaround Management Association (National Director, 1999)

News

• Lava Lamp Sold to Private Equity Firm