Practice Areas
Industries
Education
- University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., 1980
- University of Cincinnati Law Review, Student Articles Editor, 1979-1980
- The Ohio State University, B.A., 1977
Bar & Court Admissions
Judicial Clerkships
- The Honorable Burton Perlman, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 1980-1982
Jeff is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office and a member of the finance, energy and real estate group. He leads the Cincinnati office's bankruptcy and creditors’ rights practice and has nearly 40 years of experience in bankruptcy and insolvency law. His insolvency practice focuses on Chapter 11 reorganizations and other commercial bankruptcy proceedings and litigation; debtors’ and creditors’ rights; and out of court workouts and restructurings. Jeff also counsels clients involved in secured lending and related workout arrangements, with emphasis in personal property/asset based lending activities, including senior secured, mezzanine, first/second lien and unitranche financings, as well as debt sales, Article 9 enforcement proceedings and other value maximizing strategies.
Jeff is a past president of the Southern Ohio/Northern Kentucky Turnaround Management Association. He is also a member and past chair of the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Law Committee, a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, and a past member of the Local Bankruptcy Rules Advisory Committee for the Southern District of Ohio. Jeff is a former principal in the Cincinnati office of Squire Patton Boggs.
Jeff has presented on numerous bankruptcy and insolvency related topics, including recent presentations at the Southern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference, the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, the University of Cincinnati College of Law – Institute for the Global Practice of Law, the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar, the Columbus Bar Association and the Capital University Law School Graduate Program.
Representative Engagements
- Represented lender in connection with the $85 million prepetition and DIP revolver facilities in the 2019 chapter 11 cases of Jack Cooper Ventures, Inc. and affiliates in the Northern District of Georgia.
- Represented lender in connection with the $174 million prepetition senior secured revolving credit facility and as cash management bank in the 2017 chapter 11 cases of GST AutoLeather, Inc. and affiliates in Delaware.
- Represented lender in a 2017 out-of-court restructuring of a $200 million senior secured credit facility with a third party debt collector.
- Representation in 2012-2019 of administrative agents and lenders in sales/assignments of senior secured and mezzanine debt of more than $175 million.
- Represented prepetition and DIP lender and financial institution derivatives counterparty in connection with the 2017 chapter 11 cases of Appvion, Inc. and affiliates in Delaware.
- Represented cash management bank in connection with the 2017 chapter 11 cases of Cumulus Media Inc. and affiliates in the Southern District of New York.
- Representation in 2012-2019 of senior secured lenders and mezzanine lenders in structuring and documenting intercreditor relationships in financing transactions involving several hundred million dollars.
- Represented lender in connection with the $800 million senior secured prepetition credit facility, the $568 million U.S. revolving DIP financing facility, and the $720 million exit financing facility in the 2016 prepackaged chapter 11 cases of Modular Space Holdings and affiliates.
- Represented a New York-headquartered, leading publishing house in the 2011 chapter 11 cases of Borders Bookstores and affiliates in the Southern District of New York (Unsecured Creditors’ Committee member); the 2016 chapter 11 cases of Hastings Entertainment, Inc. and affiliates in Delaware (Unsecured Creditors’ Committee member); the 2015 chapter 11 cases of Family Christian and affiliates chapter 11 cases in the Western District of Michigan; and the 2012 chapter 11 case of Innovative USA, Inc. in the District of Connecticut.
- Representation in 2012-2019 of administrative and collateral agents, senior secured and mezzanine lenders, and other providers of capital in more than 80 out-of-court workouts in various industries involving hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Represented senior secured lender in connection with intercreditor relationships in the 2017 refinancing of loans to renovate an NFL team’s stadium.
- Represented lender in connection with the $200 million prepetition senior ABL revolving facility, a derivatives contract, and the $200 million ABL revolving DIP financing facility in connection with the 2016 chapter 11 cases of Bauer Hockey Corp. and affiliates in Delaware.
- Represented a New York-headquartered, leading entertainment media company and owner/operator of television networks in the 2015 chapter 11 cases of Relativity Media, LLC and affiliates in the Southern District of New York; the 2016 chapter 11 cases of MyPlay Direct, Inc. in the Southern District of New York; 2014 litigation in the chapter 11 case of THQ, Inc. and affiliates in Delaware; litigation in the chapter 11 cases of Circuit City and affiliates in the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Represented financial institution equipment lessor in connection with a 2017 restructuring of leases and disposition of hundreds of trailer units.
- Representation of Official Unsecured Creditors’ Committee in the Enron chapter 11 cases in the mid-to-late 2000s.
- Represented landlord in the 2016 chapter 11 cases of Don Pablo’s/Rita Restaurant Corp. in the Western District of Texas.
- Represented lender in 2016 Article 9 sale of food manufacturing business as a going concern.
- Represented 15-state restaurant franchisor in connection with a 2015 chapter 11 case in the District of Maryland.
Jeff received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where he served as the student articles editor for the University of Cincinnati Law Review. He received his B.A. from The Ohio State University.
Jeff is an avid road and trail runner and has qualified to run the 2020 Boston Marathon.
Professional and Community Activities
- Southern Ohio/Northern Kentucky Turnaround Management Association
- Cincinnati Bar Association, Bankruptcy Law Committee, Past Chair
- Member of 1997 and 2007 Wyoming, Ohio Ten-Year Master Plan Committees
- Former President and Board Member, The Valley Temple, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Cincinnati Public Schools / Be the Change Program, Tutor
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Cincinnati Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2019
- The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2007-2021
- Chambers and Partners, Leading lawyer in Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2007-2020
- Ohio Super Lawyers, 2007-2014
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
News
- 8/20/2020One hundred and twelve lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2021 edition. In addition, 26 Vorys attorneys were named to the inaugural Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” list.
- 4/23/2020Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 30 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2020 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/15/2019One hundred and thirteen lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2020.
- 4/26/2019Vorys announced that 30 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2019 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/15/2018One hundred and thirteen lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019.
- 8/15/2018Nine lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently named 2019 Lawyers of the Year by Best Lawyers.
- 5/4/2018Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 32 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2018 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/17/2017One hundred and eight lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018.
- 5/26/2017Vorys announced that 30 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2017 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/15/2016One-hundred and eleven lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017.
- 5/27/2016Vorys announced that 36 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2016 edition of Chambers USA.
- 8/17/2015One-hundred and eighteen lawyers from Vorys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016.
- 5/19/2015Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 39 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2015 edition of Chambers USA.
- 1/20/2015In December 2014, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed into law Substitute House Bill No. 9, which significantly revises Ohio’s law of Receiverships. Vorys released a comprehensive analysis of the amended law.
- 8/18/2014One-hundred and ten lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015.
- 5/23/2014Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 39 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2014 edition of Chambers USA.
- 12/4/2013Eighty-one attorneys from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP have been named 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. 57 Vorys attorneys were named 2014 Ohio Super Lawyer and 24 Vorys attorneys were named 2014 Ohio Rising Stars.
- 8/14/2013One hundred and eleven lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2014.
- 5/24/2013Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is pleased to announce that 39 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2013 edition of Chambers USA. Chambers USA conducts in-depth research and ranks the leading firms and attorneys in an extensive range of practice areas throughout America.
- 12/17/2012Seventy-Seven attorneys from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease have been named 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
- 8/23/2012One hundred and twenty-six lawyers from Vorys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013.
- 6/7/2012Vorys announced that 35 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized among the leading practitioners in the country in the 2012 edition of Chambers USA.
- 4/2/2012The Cincinnati Enquirer published a story regarding the Vorys Cincinnati office titled “Growing demand spurs Vorys' growth.” The story, featured a quote from Nate Lampley, the managing partner of the firm’s Cincinnati office, about the recent growth in the firm’s commercial and real estate group.
- 3/5/2012Vorys announced the addition of four attorneys to the commercial, real estate and bankruptcy group in the Cincinnati office.
Events
- 9/2/2020Vorys attorneys Kari Coniglio, Jeff Marks and Elia Woyt presented a webinar on September 2, 2020 discussing bankruptcy issues for commercial bankers.
- 10/30/2019On Wednesday, October 30, Vorys attorneys Brenda Bowers, Jeffrey Marks and Melissa Giberson presented a webinar titled, Understanding the New Complex Chapter 11 Procedures for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
- 9/9/2019Vorys was proud to host a complimentary webinar series titled “A Banker’s Guide to a Successful Commercial Loan Workout.” Attorneys Tiffany Strelow Cobb, Melissa Giberson, John Sparacino and Jeffrey Marks presented the program titled “Bankruptcy Issues” on September 9, 2019.
- 8/22/2018On August 22, 2018, Vorys Partner Jeff Marks spoke at the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 2018 Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar.
- 3/9/2017Vorys Partner Jeff Marks was a panelist at the Jevic Transportation's Impact on the Restructuring World program hosted by the Tri State Association for Corporate Renewal on March 9, 2017.
- 8/21/2014Vorys partner Jeffrey Marks participated in a panel at the 2014 Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar on August 21, 2014.
- 8/22/2013Vorys partners Steve Buchenroth, Jeff Marks and Reggie Jackson spoke at the 2013 Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar on August 22, 2013.
- 10/11/2012Vorys attorneys Brenda Bowers and Jeffrey Marks participated in the 2012 Ohio Bench Bar Conference on October 11.
- 8/16/2012Vorys partner Jeffrey Marks served on two panels at the 2012 Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 16-17, 2012.
- 6/8/2012Vorys partner Jeffrey Marks participated in the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 2012 Central States Bankruptcy Workshop on June 8.
Insights
- 10/14/2019On October 10, 2019, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio (OHSB) entered General Order 30-2 implementing Complex Chapter 11 procedures.
- 10/1/2018Jeff Marks, a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office, and Jeff Bieszczak, an associate in the Vorys Cleveland office, co-authored the feature article for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section Newsletter Fall 2018 Edition
- Spring 2018Leveraged transactions, such as leveraged buyouts (LBO) and leveraged recapitalizations, carry the risk of being unwound in a later bankruptcy of the party that transferred assets (including granting liens) or incurred obligations in the transaction.
- Spring 2017In a continuing effort to alert our lender clients and other friends to developments in the bankruptcy, restructuring, workout and creditors’ rights space, provided below is a summary of recent noteworthy court decisions.
- Spring 2016In working out of a troubled commercial credit, often the optimal exit strategy for the senior lender is a sale of the borrower’s business as a going concern. However, frequently it is not feasible for a distressed borrower simply to execute a sale of its assets directly to a buyer and pay the senior secured debt at closing.
- Spring 2016Earlier this year, two federal appeals courts decided cases that are significant to lenders whose borrowers are experiencing financial distress. In one case, the court stripped the lender of its secured status because the lender had failed to investigate the borrower’s wrongdoing, despite having notice of suspicious facts.
- 1/20/2015In December 2014, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed into law Substitute House Bill No. 9, which significantly revises Ohio’s law of Receiverships. Vorys today released a comprehensive analysis of the amended law. Key features of the amendments are summarized below.
- 3/3/2014In a recent decision in a Delaware Chapter 11 case, the court took the unusual step of capping the amount of a secured lender’s loan that could be used in the lender’s credit bid in a Section 363 sale.
- 4/1/2013Jeffrey A. Marks, a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office, authored a chapter for Inside the Minds: Creditors’ Rights in Chapter 11 Cases. Marks’ chapter was titled “Real Estate Chapter 11 Filings: Key Issues.”
- 9/17/2012Jeffrey Marks, a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office, authored a column about the decision from U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Onkyo Electronics V. Global Technovations for Law360.