Tucker Ellis LLP is pleased to announce that Thomas Fawkes and Brian Jackiw have joined the firm’s expanding business litigation practice in Chicago. Mr. Fawkes and Mr. Jackiw bring with them a successful nationwide bankruptcy practice representing official committees of unsecured creditors, trustees, and other key constituencies in chapter 11 and chapter 7 cases across the United States.

“The in-depth knowledge that Tom and Brian bring to Tucker Ellis increases our capabilities both within our practice group and our firm,” said Business Litigation Group Chair Tom Simmons. “Their deep experience in bankruptcy and commercial litigation bolsters our ability to assist clients not only in Chicago but all around the country.”

“We count ourselves extremely fortunate to continue to attract not only A+ lawyers but A+ people – like Tom and Brian – to our firm,” said Tucker Ellis Managing Partner Joe Morford. “Their excellent skill sets and good, positive spirit are perfect additions to our ever-growing Chicago team and expanding business litigation capabilities.”

Mr. Fawkes joins Tucker Ellis as a partner. He practices in the areas of bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and financial restructuring. He represents official committees, unsecured and secured creditors, debtors, financial institutions, post-confirmation trustees, and asset purchasers in chapter 11 and chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, and liquidation proceedings throughout the United States. He has represented clients in matters including plan confirmations, preference, fraudulent transfer and other bankruptcy litigation, cash collateral and debtor-in-possession financing, section 363 sale transactions, real estate and equipment leasing disputes, and claims reconciliation. Mr. Fawkes also assists clients in structuring their commercial transactions to mitigate the risk of future bankruptcy and insolvency issues. He received his law degree cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law and his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Loyola University Chicago. He is ranked in Chambers USA as one of the leading bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys in Illinois, and he also has been named a Leading Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Workout Law and Commercial Law.

Mr. Jackiw joins Tucker Ellis as counsel. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in bankruptcy and commercial litigation, including avoidance actions, complex bankruptcy claim disputes, and bankruptcy fraud litigation. In addition to his experience in bankruptcy courts, Mr. Jackiw assists clients in general collection and commercial law litigation. In his representation of official committees of unsecured creditors, he engages in significant and complex issues, including section 363 asset sales, disputes regarding the validity, priority, and extent of liens of purported secured creditors, and negotiations of chapter 11 plans. He also frequently litigates against former directors and officers of insolvent corporations, seeking redress for their breaches of fiduciary duty in an effort to maximize recoveries for unsecured creditors. Mr. Jackiw received his law degree cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy and served as an officer in the United States Army.