Robert Westermann - Attorney

Robert Westermann - Attorney

 

Robbie is a Shareholder in the Litigation Section of the Firm and a Team Leader of the Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors' Rights Practice Group. His practice focuses on bankruptcy law, creditors' and debtors' rights, and general commercial litigation with a focus on consumer defense work. Robbie served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Blackwell N. Shelley, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia from 1998-1999 upon graduating from law school, and was with Hunton & Williams from 1999-2009 before joining the Firm in February 2009.

Relevant Experience:

  • Representation of Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 debtors, trustees, and plan administrators in many different industries and specialties (cases include MMR Holdings, Inc., Carter's Grove, River City Cleaners, Packet360, Thermo-Press Corporation, Blackstone Automotive & Tire, and RBX Industries)
  • Representation of Creditors Committees in Chapter 11 cases (including Roper Brothers Lumber Company, Rubatex International, Prestige Ford Dealership, and Tim Newcomb Enterprises) 
  • Representation of creditors and other parties in interest in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases, including vendors, landlords, services and goods providers, lenders and other secured creditors, officers and directors, and purchasers of assets (cases include Circuit City, S&K Famous Brands, Movie Gallery, LandAmerica Financial Group, Bear Island/White Birch Paper Company, Ennstone, and Prospect Homes of Richmond)
  • Representation of members of Creditors Committees in Chapter 11 cases throughout the country (including cases in Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey)
  • Representation of key parties in interest in workouts, restructurings, federal and state court receiverships, and attendant litigation and claims resolution, including borrowers, lenders, insurers, receivers, and other stakeholders 
  • Representation of local and regional clients in all manner of creditors' rights actions, including collections, foreclosures and deeds in lieu of foreclosure, seizure and sale of assets, garnishments, and levies
  • Representation of nationwide consumer and mortgage lenders in both federal and state courts throughout the Southeast, including defense of class actions, defense of claims under federal statutes including TILA, HOEPA, FDCPA, FCRA, and RESPA, and defense of claims based on common law and state statutes

Education:

  • Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., 1998
  • University of Virginia, B.A. History, 1992

Published Works/Speaking Engagements:

  • Speaker, To Be or Not To Be Employed by a Debtor in Bankruptcy - A Consideration of Ethical Issues, VBA Bankruptcy Law Conference, May 2011
  • Speaker, Landlord Tenant Issues in Bankruptcy, Fredericksburg Area Bar Association, March 2011
  • Speaker, Issues Arising in Conversion From Chapter 7 or 13 to Chapter 11, Virginia CLE - Mastering Complex Issues in Bankruptcy, November 2010 
  • Speaker, Recoverable Claims in Chapter 11, VBA Bankruptcy Law Conference, May 2010
  • Speaker, Bankruptcy Hot Topics, VBA Corporate Counsel Fall Forum, October 2009 
  • Author, Notice to Revolving Lenders: Beware PBGC Liens, Bankruptcy Law 360, 2008
  • Author, Reclamation: The Basics Along with Some Strategy, Bankruptcy Law News, Virginia State Bar Bankruptcy Section, 2001
  • Author, Section 522 - Exemptions, Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law, William L. Norton, Jr., Editor, 1999-2000 Edition

Pro Bono/Community Service:

  • Legal Information Network for Cancer (LINC), Board of Directors (2008-present) and Attorney Volunteer

Recognition:

  • Virginia's Best Lawyers, 2012 
  • Virginia Business Magazine's Legal Elite, 2009-2011
  • Virginia Super Lawyers, 2011

Memberships:

  • Virginia State Bar, Member of Bankruptcy Section Board of Governors
  • Richmond Bar Association, Former Chair of Bankruptcy Section and Member of Board of Directors
  • Virginia Bar Association, Member of Bankruptcy Section Executive Committee
  • American Bankruptcy Institute

Bar Admission:

  • Virginia, 1998
  • Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia