Replies to post #5255 on TMST Inc. (fka THMRQ)

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WOW.. Shapiro Sher Ranks Among Top Law Firms in Chambers USA 2010


Baltimore, MD, June 13, 2010 – Chambers USA, one of the most respected guides to the country’s top lawyers and law firms, has ranked Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler among the best law firms in the United States, and has named four of the Firm’s partners among the nation’s top lawyers. The rankings appear in Chambers USA’s 2010 directory, which was released Friday.

Chambers USA’s 2010 directory names Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler one of the country’s best law firms in the practice of bankruptcy litigation, citing its “deeply experienced attorneys” and its consistently “outstanding results for a variety of debtor and creditor clients.”

Chambers names Firm Chairman Joel I. Sher and fellow partner Richard M. Goldberg among the nation’s top bankruptcy litigators. The guide also ranks partners Paul Mark Sandler and Lonnie M. Ritzer among the country’s leading lawyers in the areas of general commercial litigation and real estate, respectively.

Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sander (www.shapirosher.com) is based in Baltimore, Maryland, with an additional office in Washington, DC. Founded in 1972, the Firm is nationally known for its expertise in business law, litigation, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights.

Chambers USA is a division of Chambers & Partners, which publishes annual guides to the most well-regarded law firms and lawyers in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Its rankings are read by industry-leading companies and organizations worldwide.


http://baltimore.citybizlist.com/1/2010/6/13/Shapiro-Sher-Ranks-Among-Top-Law-Firms-in-Chambers-USA-2010.aspx

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Ronald M. Shapiro
Counsel to the Firm
[e-mail]
36 South Charles Street
Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21201 410.385.4243 ph
410.539.7611 fax
Expert negotiator, attorney, sports agent, educator, and author, Ron Shapiro graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1967. In 1972, while serving as Maryland State Securities Commissioner, he founded what would become the law firm of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, developing a national reputation for his handling of corporate and securities law matters. Four years later he started Shapiro, Robinson & Associates, a sports management firm, and in 1995 he founded Shapiro Negotiations Institute, a negotiation seminar and consulting firm.

USA Today has called Ron Shapiro “one of baseball’s most respected agent-attorneys,” and The Sporting News has named him one of the “100 most powerful people in sports.” He has negotiated an aggregate of over one billion dollars in contracts for numerous sports celebrities, including five Hall of Famers: Cal Ripken, Jr., Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Kirby Puckett, and Eddie Murray.

Mr. Shapiro’s dispute resolution techniques have resolved a variety of corporate, employment, and governmental disputes, including a major symphony orchestra strike. He has negotiated on behalf of, or served as deal coach to, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and entertainment and news personalities. He is frequently cited by parties on both sides of a negotiation as the ultimate "Win-Win" negotiator.

In October 1998, Mr. Shapiro’s first book, THE POWER OF NICE: HOW TO NEGOTIATE SO EVERYONE WINS- ESPECIALLY YOU! (Revised Edition, 2001), was published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. THE POWER OF NICE® was excerpted in Fortune Magazine and named one of the “Top Ten ‘On the Job’ Business Books of the Year” by the Library Journal. Mr. Shapiro’s second book, BULLIES, TYRANTS & IMPOSSIBLE PEOPLE: HOW TO BEAT THEM WITHOUT JOINING THEM, was released by Crown Books (Random House) in June 2005 and made The Wall Street Journal’s Best Seller List in its first week of publication. Mr. Shapiro’s latest book, DARE TO PREPARE: HOW TO WIN BEFORE YOU BEGIN, also published by Crown Books, made The New York Times Best Seller List for business books in January 2008. In February 2009, it was awarded an Axiom Business Book Award, receiving a Gold Medal in the Success & Motivation category.

Mr. Shapiro has also authored more than 20 law journal articles; co-authored books on corporate and securities law; and began a legal publishing company. He has taught at the Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland School of Law, and the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he was honored for teaching excellence. Mr. Shapiro was named the 1996 Edward B. Shils Lecturer in Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He has appeared as a negotiations expert on ABC's "Good Morning America," National Public Radio's "Morning Edition," and ABC's “Nightline," among other programs. In addition, he has hosted a weekly talk show and a series of prime time specials on NBC Baltimore affiliates.

Deeply committed to the people and communities of Maryland, Mr. Shapiro has chaired over 25 boards of charitable and community organizations. He was Treasurer and Finance Chairman for former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Chesapeake Region 2012 Coalition (U.S. Olympics Bid Committee). Mr. Shapiro (pronounced Shap-EYE-ro) has received numerous awards and recognition for his service to the community and the profession of law.

Books
Dare to Prepare: How to Win Before You Begin. By Ronald M. Shapiro with Gregory Jordan. Crown Business, January 2008.

Bullies, Tyrants & Impossible People: How To Beat Them Without Joining Them. By Ronald M. Shapiro and Mark A. Jankowski, with James Dale. Crown Business, June 2005.

The Power of Nice: How to Negotiate So Everyone Wins — Especially You! By Ronald M. Shapiro and Mark A. Jankowski. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001, revised edition.

News
February 2, 2010: Ron Shapiro moderates a panel discussion on "Leadership in the New Economy" at the 2010 National Sports Forum in Baltimore. The panelists were Kenneth Feld, Chairman & CEO of Feld Entertainment; Cal Ripken, Jr., CEO of Ripken Baseball; Kevin Plank, Chairman & CEO of Under Armour; and Ted Leonsis, Majority Owner of the Washington Capitals.

November 23, 2009: The New York Times cites Ron Shapiro, agent to Minneapolis Twins catcher Joe Mauer, in an article about Mauer's prospects as he heads into free agency.

June 30, 2009: Selected for the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America, a highly respected peer-review publication serving the legal profession."

February 8, 2009: "Lawyer, Guru, Mentor." The Baltimore Sun profiles Ronald M. Shapiro.

Mr. Shapiro is selected for inclusion in the forthcoming 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Attorneys
Administration
email this pageprint this page
Practice Areas
Corporate and Securities
International Trade and Commerce
Bar Admissions
Maryland
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
United States Supreme Court
Education
Haverford College (B.A.,1964)
Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1967)
Affiliations, Achievements And Honors
Selected for The Best Lawyers in America, 2011 edition
Peace Players International, Board Chair Emeritus
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Special Advisor to the Director of Psychiatry
Gaudenzia Addiction Treatment & Recovery Programs, Community Leader for Corporate Consciousness Raising
Stevenson University, President’s Advisory Council Member
Greenebaum Cancer Center of the University of Maryland, Board of Visitors, Chair, 2003-04
Member, Board of Directors, Washington Baltimore Regional 2012 Coalition (U.S. Olympics Bid Committee), 1998-2002
Corporate Honorary Chair, National Kidney Foundation of Maryland, Inc., Annual Gift of Life Gala, 2000
The Baltimore Museum of Art, Board of Trustees, 1992-95
1998 Maryland Marketing Statesman of the Year Award, presented by the Sales and Marketing Executives of Greater Baltimore, 1999
Chimes Hall of Fame, inductee, for contributions and community service.
American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame Mel Allen Service Award for distinguished public service
City of Baltimore Citizens Citation, for assistance to the public schools
Gilman School, Inc., Board of Trustees, 1977-85 and 1987-98
Chosen as one of "Baltimore’s Five Superlawyers" by Baltimore Magazine, March 1995
The Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Chairman, Children's Miracle Network Telethon, 1983-87
St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center, Chairman, Partnership for Homecoming Campaign, 1995-97
Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies, Co-Founder, Board Member, 1987-93
Friends of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Volunteer Mediator in Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Strike, 1982; Originator of BSO Musical Marathon Telethon; Legal Consultant 1982-85
Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors of the Benevolent Endowment Network

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Joel I. Sher
Partner
[e-mail]
36 South Charles Street
Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21201 410.385.4277 ph
410.539.7611 fax
Joel I. Sher is chairman of the Firm and heads its bankruptcy and financial restructuring practice. He concentrates in corporate reorganization, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy litigation. He represents debtors, creditors, and creditors’ committees in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and counsels clients in complex out-of-court workouts. As experienced Court-appointed Trustee, he currently serves as the Chapter 11 Trustee in the reorganization of TMST, Inc., a mortgage lender formerly known as Thornburg Mortgage, Inc. He is also an accomplished commercial litigator and has represented clients in federal and state courts throughout the United States.

Mr. Sher has extensive experience in bankruptcy and restructurings in a wide range of industries, including financial services, real estate development, construction management, health care, specialty retailing, governmental contracting, manufacturing and telecommunications. Mr. Sher has been involved in numerous complex bankruptcy cases throughout his career. These matters include his representation of the Combined Properties, a Washington D.C. based real estate portfolio, in its successful Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases which resulted from disputes among the Haft family. Mr. Sher has also served as counsel to a number of Chapter 7 Trustees, including in the cases of Merry-Go-Round Enterprises, Inc., a 1400-store national retail chain, Just For Feet, Inc., a 300-store national retail chain and Regency Homes, a regional real estate developer.

Mr. Sher’s experience includes representation of numerous businesses that have successfully reorganized under chapter 11, including financial service companies, real estate developers and general contractors, health care providers, publicly traded companies, restaurants and specialty retailers. Mr. Sher recently represented a regional developer and home builder in its successful Chapter 11 reorganization. He also served as counsel to Fieldstone Mortgage Company, a nationwide mortgage originator that emerged as an operating entity from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, as well as Luminent Mortgage Capital, Inc. in its successful Chapter 11 case. Recent engagements have also included his representation of a substantial creditor in the restructuring of National Amusements, Inc. Mr. Sher has acted as plan administrator and liquidating agent with respect to the management and disposition of an array of privately owned real estate and business interests in the United States, Australia, Spain, and the Netherlands. He has also been appointed as operating trustee/liquidating agent for a variety of businesses, including a national bottling company, numerous retail establishments, and real estate enterprises. Recently, Mr. Sher, in his capacity as a Court-appointed Chapter 11 Trustee, successfully reorganized a governmental services business with over 1100 employees nationwide and annual revenues in excess of $55 million.

Mr. Sher has served as counsel to the creditors’ committees in various cases including: Frank’s Nursery and Crafts, Inc., a retail nursery and garden store chain; Sunterra Corporation, one of the world’s largest timeshare companies; Railworks Corporation, a national supplier to and servicer of the railroad industry; PhyAmerica Physician Group, Inc., a national physician practice management company and Creditrust Corporation, a collector and manager of defaulted consumer receivables.

News & Publications
December 7, 2010: The Baltimore Business Journal reports that Joel I. Sher, who represents the trustee in the bankruptcy case of Alan Fabian, is pleased with the judge's order in, "Judge won't let Alan Fabian escape debts."

June 13, 2010: Chambers USA 2010 ranks Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler among the top law firms in the country. The prestigious guide cites four of the Firm's partners, including Joel I. Sher, among the leading lawyers in the United States.

March 5, 2010: American Lawyer Daily reports that Joel I. Sher, the court-appointed trustee in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Thornburg Mortgage Inc., has filed a complaint alleging conspiracy by the company's former executives and their attorney. Further reports on the case were published by Reuters, the Wall Street Journal's Bankruptcy Beat blog, and the New York Times' DealBook blog.

February 5, 2010: "Thornburg Seeks to Sell $11 Billion Portfolio." The Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review quotes Joel I. Sher, court-appointed trustee to Thornburg Mortgage Inc., in a report on the bankrupt lender's Chapter 11 case.

November 9, 2009: "Thornburg Bankruptcy Hits Bumps." The Albuquerque Journal, in a column about the bankruptcy of Thornburg Mortgage Inc., reports that "what once was arguably Santa Fe's premier business is being run" by Joel I. Sher, who was appointed Chapter 11 trustee in the case by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Duncan Keir in Baltimore.

October 30, 2009: Sher appointed Chapter 11 trustee for Thronburg Mortgage Inc. Reuters reports that Joel I. Sher has been appointed Chapter 11 trustee to oversee the liquidation of the former Thornburg Mortgage Inc.

September 14, 2009: Caruso Homes to Emerge from Bankruptcy Protection. The Baltimore Business Journal, Builder's Magazine and CityBizList report on the homebuilder's successful Chapter 11 reorganization, citing Joel I. Sher as debtor's counsel. In Court, the Judge complimented the Caruso legal team saying: "This case is an example of how the bankruptcy code should work."

June 30, 2009: Selected for the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America, a highly respected peer-review publication serving the legal profession.

September 9, 2008: The Deal cites Mr. Sher as debtor co-counsel in the Chapter 11 case of Luminent Mortgage Capital Inc., a Philadelphia-based REIT.

September 8, 2008: Mr. Sher is selected for inclusion in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

July 11, 2008: "Fieldstone Bankruptcy Plan OK'd by Judge." SSG&S represents Fieldstone Mortgage as the company wins approval of its Chapter 11 plan and becomes "one of few subprime lenders to survive bankruptcy since the credit crisis began," reports The Baltimore Sun.

June 24, 2008: Caruso Homes, Inc. files for Chapter 11 relief. Reporting on the Maryland homebuilder's bankruptcy, The Baltimore Examiner quotes Joel I. Sher, debtor's counsel in the case.

Joel I. Sher named in "Super Lawyers" list of the top 50 attorneys in the state of Maryland. The list was published in the January 2008 issue of Baltmore Magazine and in Maryland Super Lawyers Magazine.

May 17, 2008: "'Massive fraud' nets plea of guilty." The Baltimore Sun reports that entrepreneur Alan B. Fabian has pled guilty to a multi-year fraud scheme. The story quotes Joel I. Sher, attorney to the trustee of Fabian's bankrupt Strategic Partners International, Inc.

Attorneys
Administration
email this pageprint this page
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring
Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Litigation
Corporate, Commercial, and Regulatory
International Trade and Commerce
Bar Admissions
Maryland
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
United States Supreme Court
Education
University of Maryland (B.A., 1974)
Villanova University School of Law (J.D., 1978)
Affiliations, Achievements And Honors
Cited in Chambers USA 2010 among the leading lawyers in the United States.
Selected for the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
Cited as one of the Top 50 attorneys in Maryland in a list of the state's Super Lawyers published in Baltimore Magazine.
Panel Trustee, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
Member, Past Chair, Bankruptcy Bar Association of Maryland
Member, Maryland State Bar Association
Member, Baltimore City Bar Association
Member, Baltimore County Bar Association
Member, Association for Commercial Finance Attorneys
Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
Member, Commercial Law League of America
Author of articles, lecturer on bankruptcy and debtor/credit issues