John C. Gentile

Overview

John Gentile is a partner in Benesch’s Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice Group, where he represents debtors, creditors, lenders and other stakeholders in complex financial restructurings, distressed transactions and bankruptcy proceedings. He advises clients across a wide range of industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, retail and technology, providing strategic guidance in both in-court and out-of-court restructurings.

In addition to his restructuring practice, John maintains a robust practice in complex commercial litigation and real estate matters, allowing him to deliver comprehensive counsel to clients navigating financial and legal challenges. He has experience with restructurings, asset sales and workouts, and he litigates commercial disputes involving contract claims, business torts, fraudulent transfer and preference actions, as well as other insolvency-related issues.

John’s real estate practice includes representing lenders, owners, developers and investors in disputes and transactions at the intersection of financial distress and property interests. By combining his restructuring knowledge with litigation and real estate experience, John brings a multidisciplinary perspective to solving complex problems. Clients value his practical, results-driven approach and his ability to preserve value, protect their interests and achieve successful outcomes in highly complex, time-sensitive matters.

The following are examples of John’s recent representative experience:

Restructuring & Bankruptcy

• Representation of creditors’ committees in Yellow Corporation, Peer Street, Ruby Pipeline, Alto Maipo, SC SJ Holdings, The Hertz Corporation and Dura Automotive Systems, LLC
• Representation of Chapter 11 debtors Reverse Mortgage Investment Trust, GenCanna Global USA and ArtVan Furniture
• Counsel to committee members in Artistic Holiday Designs, Wesco Aircraft Holdings, Rubio’s Restaurants and NextSport
• Counsel to landlords in Chapter 11 cases such as JoAnn Stores, Rite Aid, Ascena, JC Penney, Tailored Brands, Stein Mart, 24 Hour Fitness, Forever 21 and GNC
• Representation of DIP lenders in IMG Holdings and Planta
• Creditor representations in Nikola, Powin, Crédito Real, JoAnn Stores, Invacare Corporation, Exide Technologies, Briggs & Stratton and Global Eagle Entertainment
• Representation of a $100+ million revenue transportation company in an out-of-court restructuring involving multiple lenders
• Representation of bidder in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware supervised sale of the shares of PDV Holding, Inc., the parent company of CITGO Petroleum

Real Estate Litigation, Receiverships & Workouts

• Representation of publicly traded nationwide real estate investment trust and commercial RE senior lender, in the restructuring of a $100 million loan secured by a multifamily asset in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Representation of senior lender in receivership and litigation of approximately $30 million in loans secured by multiple affordable housing assets in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Representation of publicly traded nationwide real estate investment trust and commercial RE senior lender in the litigation and receivership of a $14 million loan secured by a multifamily asset in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
• Representation of alternative investment manager as senior lender in litigation and receivership of approximately $20 million in loans secured by commercial project in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Representation of senior lender in foreclosure of a significant historical property in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania involving over $120 million in loans and litigation in state courts in Pennsylvania and New York
• Representation of senior lender in litigation and refinancing of approximately $55 million in loans secured by multiple assets in New Castle County, Delaware
• Representation of special servicer in litigation and refinancing of an approximately $25 million loan secured by a real estate portfolio in Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pennsylvania
• Representation of senior lender in litigation in Pennsylvania and New York state court against borrower and guarantors resulting in sale of collateral to third party and satisfaction of loan
• Representation of senior lender in litigation in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania and eventual sale of mixed-use property to third party and satisfaction of an approximately $5 million loan
• Representation of borrower in connection with restructuring of a $10 million loan secured by commercial real estate assets in Nebraska
• Representation of receiver in connection with receivership relating to a foreclosure case relating to a $55 million loan secured by an office park located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Representative Non-Real Estate Commercial Litigation

• Representation of publicly traded electronics company in breach of contract lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court, resulting in favorable settlement before summary judgment
• Representation of fintech company in breach of contract lawsuit against international credit card company in New York Supreme Court Commercial Division, resulting in favorable settlement and resolution of counterclaims
• Representation of petitioner-member seeking dissolution of a limited liability company in the Delaware Court of Chancery
• Representation of 3PL in breach of contract lawsuit for millions of dollars in damages against international software firm in U.S. District Court for Southern District of New York
• Representation of New York-based investment firm in lawsuit involving issues of corporate governance and breach of fiduciary duties
• Litigation counsel to a privately held international transportation company in all bankruptcy and commercial litigation related matters in courts across the country
• Representation of a growth equity investment firm focused on certain environmental technologies in a contract dispute in New York state court
• Representation of a premier engineering firm in litigation in Michigan and Florida state courts
• Representation of a multinational logistics company in litigation in multiple federal court districts, achieving a favorable settlement after two mediations
• Represented a national corporation against breach of contract and related claims brought in Delaware Superior Court, settling claims for less than 25% of the amount demanded
• Defended a Texas corporation in corporate governance litigation brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery
• Represented an individual plaintiff in corporate governance lawsuit in Delaware Court of Chancery involving Delaware LLC Act