Matthew T Schaeffer
Of Counsel
[javascript protected email address]
direct 614.229.3289
assistant 614.229.3372
Overview
Matt’s practice focuses primarily on corporate reorganization and workouts, debtor/creditor rights, bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and commercial matters. He has experience representing Chapter 11 debtors, financial institutions, trustees, and a variety of secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, litigation, and workouts. He is a member of the independent panel of Chapter 11 Subchapter V bankruptcy trustees for the Southern District of Ohio, and he is a member of the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Southern District of Ohio. Matt also has considerable experience representing businesses in a variety of non-bankruptcy matters.
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
Capital University School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
Order of the Curia
Capital University Law Review, Managing Editor
Recipient, J. Andrew Fulker Memorial Scholarship
Named to the National Dean’s List
Ohio State University, (B.A. Political Science)
Bar Admissions
Ohio
Court Admissions
US District Court, S.D. Ohio
US District Court, N.D. Ohio
US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Professional Highlights
Noteworthy Experience
Represented a private label/co-branded credit card issuer in the Chapter 11 cases of various national retailers.
Represented a national mortgage lender as debtor’s counsel in its liquidating Chapter 11.
Represented the pension fund in pursuing a $5.6 billion claim against an energy producer and its control group in and out Chapter 11.
Prevailed in a motion to disallow more than $50 million of class action claims filed in bankruptcy court.
Represented a major secured lender in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of an oil and gas producer.
Represented a publicly-held furniture retailer as debtor’s counsel in a liquidating Chapter 11.
Represented the creditors committee in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of a mobile phone carrier.
Represented a bank in the prosecution of fraudulent transfers to a trust characterized as “creditor proof” and obtained a settlement favorable to the bank.
Represented, as debtors’ counsel in Chapter 11, a publicly-held manufacturer in the metal coil processing industry. The business operations were sold in chapter 11, preserving jobs and the economic activity of the business.
Represented a major secured lender in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of companies operating more than 130 gas stations and convenience stores.
Represented an equipment lessor in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of a corporate guarantor of a failed water park.
Represented a municipality in a variety of matters, including the dischargeability in bankruptcy of local income taxes.
Represented an apartment complex as debtor’s counsel in a successful Chapter 11 reorganization.
Represented lenders in bankruptcy and workout matters.
Represented a cemetery in wrongful burial litigation.
Represented bankruptcy trustees in various litigation matters.
Prosecuted and/or defended hundreds of adversary proceedings on various issues, including fraudulent conveyances, preferential transfers, and turnover actions.
Prosecuted non-dischargeability actions.
Advises businesses who have been the victims of computer fraud and funds transfer fraud.
Involved in various litigation matters, including insurance disputes, fiduciary accounts, leveraged buy-out, valuation, automatic stay matters, and plan confirmation issues.
Litigated cases in state and federal trial courts, appellate courts, and the Ohio Supreme Court.
Represented parties in litigation concerning contractual disputes, ERISA defense, commercial collections, foreclosures, funds transfer fraud, and non-compete contracts.
Completed the mediator training course co-sponsored by the Columbus Bar Association.
Publications & Speaking Engagements
“Case Law Update,” Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar (2023).
“Subchapter V – Facts, Updates and Exciting New Details,” 2023 Bench-Bar Conference, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio (2023).
“Small Business Bankruptcy under the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 ,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2022)
“Subchapter V: Everything you Need to Know,” Bankruptcy Law Institute (2021)
“Small Business Reorganizations and Individual Chapter 11s,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2020)
“Business Bankruptcies: An Overview and Discussion of Trends and Issues in Commercial and Single Asset Real Estate Bankruptcies,” Columbus Bar Association (2020).
“Business Law Update: COVID-19 and the Legal Impact on Small Businesses – Small Business Bankruptcy,” Ohio State Bar Association (2020).
“Overview of Retailer Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases,” Alliance Data Systems (2019)
“Current Issues in Retailer Chapter 11”, American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2018)
“The Dischargeability of Municipal Income Taxes in Bankruptcy,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2016)
“Recovering Possession of Real Property: Judicial Eviction and Self-Help Repossession,” Ohio State Bar Association
“The Ordinary Course of Business Exception After BAPCPA,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum.
“Judgment Enforcement in Ohio,” Lorman Education Services.
“The Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law and Procedure in Ohio,” National Business Institute.
“The Waiver Provisions of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act,” 24 Capital Univ. Law Rev. 257 (1996).
“Small Business Bankruptcy under the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 ,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2022)
“Subchapter V: Everything you Need to Know,” Bankruptcy Law Institute (2021)
Professional Recognition
Super Lawyer, 2018-2024
Ohio Leading Lawyer, Ohio Business Magazine, 2024
Top Lawyer, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2016
Rising Star, Journal of Law & Politics
Affiliations and Civic Involvement
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Local Rules Committee Member
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Pro Bono Project Member
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Judicial Liaison Committee Member
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Mediation Subcommittee Member
Columbus Bar Association, Bankruptcy Committee Member
Ohio State Bar Association, Member
Champaign County Bar Association, Member
Thomas F. Waldron American Bankruptcy Law Forum Member
Columbus Bar Association, Military Assistance Task Force
Board of Trustees of Catholic Central Schools, Springfield, Ohio
Lecturer, Street Law, Columbus City Schools
Volunteer Tutor, Columbus City Schools
Matt’s practice focuses primarily on corporate reorganization and workouts, debtor/creditor rights, bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and commercial matters. He has experience representing Chapter 11 debtors, financial institutions, trustees, and a variety of secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, litigation, and workouts. He is a member of the independent panel of Chapter 11 Subchapter V bankruptcy trustees for the Southern District of Ohio, and he is a member of the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Southern District of Ohio. Matt also has considerable experience representing businesses in a variety of non-bankruptcy matters.
Practice Areas
Education
Capital University School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
Order of the Curia
Capital University Law Review, Managing Editor
Recipient, J. Andrew Fulker Memorial Scholarship
Named to the National Dean’s List
Ohio State University, (B.A. Political Science)
Bar Admissions
Ohio
Court Admissions
US District Court, S.D. Ohio
US District Court, N.D. Ohio
US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Noteworthy Experience
Represented a private label/co-branded credit card issuer in the Chapter 11 cases of various national retailers.
Represented a national mortgage lender as debtor’s counsel in its liquidating Chapter 11.
Represented the pension fund in pursuing a $5.6 billion claim against an energy producer and its control group in and out Chapter 11.
Prevailed in a motion to disallow more than $50 million of class action claims filed in bankruptcy court.
Represented a major secured lender in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of an oil and gas producer.
Represented a publicly-held furniture retailer as debtor’s counsel in a liquidating Chapter 11.
Represented the creditors committee in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of a mobile phone carrier.
Represented a bank in the prosecution of fraudulent transfers to a trust characterized as “creditor proof” and obtained a settlement favorable to the bank.
Represented, as debtors’ counsel in Chapter 11, a publicly-held manufacturer in the metal coil processing industry. The business operations were sold in chapter 11, preserving jobs and the economic activity of the business.
Represented a major secured lender in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of companies operating more than 130 gas stations and convenience stores.
Represented an equipment lessor in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of a corporate guarantor of a failed water park.
Represented a municipality in a variety of matters, including the dischargeability in bankruptcy of local income taxes.
Represented an apartment complex as debtor’s counsel in a successful Chapter 11 reorganization.
Represented lenders in bankruptcy and workout matters.
Represented a cemetery in wrongful burial litigation.
Represented bankruptcy trustees in various litigation matters.
Prosecuted and/or defended hundreds of adversary proceedings on various issues, including fraudulent conveyances, preferential transfers, and turnover actions.
Prosecuted non-dischargeability actions.
Advises businesses who have been the victims of computer fraud and funds transfer fraud.
Involved in various litigation matters, including insurance disputes, fiduciary accounts, leveraged buy-out, valuation, automatic stay matters, and plan confirmation issues.
Litigated cases in state and federal trial courts, appellate courts, and the Ohio Supreme Court.
Represented parties in litigation concerning contractual disputes, ERISA defense, commercial collections, foreclosures, funds transfer fraud, and non-compete contracts.
Completed the mediator training course co-sponsored by the Columbus Bar Association.
Publications & Speaking Engagements
“Case Law Update,” Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar (2023).
“Subchapter V – Facts, Updates and Exciting New Details,” 2023 Bench-Bar Conference, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio (2023).
“Small Business Bankruptcy under the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 ,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2022)
“Subchapter V: Everything you Need to Know,” Bankruptcy Law Institute (2021)
“Small Business Reorganizations and Individual Chapter 11s,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2020)
“Business Bankruptcies: An Overview and Discussion of Trends and Issues in Commercial and Single Asset Real Estate Bankruptcies,” Columbus Bar Association (2020).
“Business Law Update: COVID-19 and the Legal Impact on Small Businesses – Small Business Bankruptcy,” Ohio State Bar Association (2020).
“Overview of Retailer Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases,” Alliance Data Systems (2019)
“Current Issues in Retailer Chapter 11”, American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2018)
“The Dischargeability of Municipal Income Taxes in Bankruptcy,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2016)
“Recovering Possession of Real Property: Judicial Eviction and Self-Help Repossession,” Ohio State Bar Association
“The Ordinary Course of Business Exception After BAPCPA,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum.
“Judgment Enforcement in Ohio,” Lorman Education Services.
“The Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law and Procedure in Ohio,” National Business Institute.
“The Waiver Provisions of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act,” 24 Capital Univ. Law Rev. 257 (1996).
“Small Business Bankruptcy under the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 ,” American Bankruptcy Law Forum (2022)
“Subchapter V: Everything you Need to Know,” Bankruptcy Law Institute (2021)
Professional Recognition
Super Lawyer, 2018-2024
Ohio Leading Lawyer, Ohio Business Magazine, 2024
Top Lawyer, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2016
Rising Star, Journal of Law & Politics
Affiliations and Civic Involvement
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Local Rules Committee Member
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Pro Bono Project Member
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Judicial Liaison Committee Member
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio, Mediation Subcommittee Member
Columbus Bar Association, Bankruptcy Committee Member
Ohio State Bar Association, Member
Champaign County Bar Association, Member
Thomas F. Waldron American Bankruptcy Law Forum Member
Columbus Bar Association, Military Assistance Task Force
Board of Trustees of Catholic Central Schools, Springfield, Ohio
Lecturer, Street Law, Columbus City Schools
Volunteer Tutor, Columbus City Schools
The coronavirus pandemic is placing unprecedented stress on small businesses. Consequently, a key provision in the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES”) provides small businesses with greater access to bankruptcy reorganization. CARES amended the Small Business Reorganization Act... Read More
On August 23, 2019, the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 was signed into law to make it easier for small businesses to successfully emerge from bankruptcy. For qualifying small businesses, the Act will ease the financial burdens of bankruptcy... Read More