Foley & Lardner LLP: Geoffrey S. Goodman

Within the "Nearby Lawyers" platform category, Foley & Lardner LLP's Chicago office, located at 321 N Clark St Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60654, USA, serves as a significant hub for a wide array of legal services. This strategic location places the firm in the heart of Chicago's River North neighborhood, a dynamic commercial and legal district. The environment of Foley & Lardner's Chicago office is designed to reflect its status as a leading national law firm with a strong global presence. It is a modern, professional, and well-appointed space, equipped with the necessary technology and infrastructure to manage complex and high-stakes legal matters. The firm fosters a collaborative culture among its approximately 140 lawyers and legal professionals in Chicago, enabling seamless teamwork and comprehensive client service. The setting provides a discreet and efficient environment for clients to discuss sensitive financial and business issues, which is particularly crucial for matters related to bankruptcy and business reorganizations.

A pivotal figure within Foley & Lardner LLP's Chicago office is Geoffrey S. Goodman. As a partner and the Chair of the firm's highly regarded Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice, Mr. Goodman's expertise is central to the firm's offerings in this critical area. His practice encompasses a broad spectrum of bankruptcy and insolvency law, with a particular focus on complex cases involving commodities and securities bankruptcies, as well as those in the healthcare and energy sectors. His extensive experience and leadership in this field make him a go-to attorney for entities navigating financial distress.

The services offered by Geoffrey S. Goodman and his team at Foley & Lardner LLP are comprehensive, covering all facets of bankruptcy and business reorganizations. Mr. Goodman has a robust track record of representing a diverse range of clients, including Chapter 11 debtors, official creditors' committees, ad hoc committees, trustees, secured lenders, purchasers of assets, and unsecured creditors in Chapter 11 cases. His experience includes involvement in some of the largest and most complex Chapter 11 cases in the country, demonstrating his capacity to handle matters of significant scale and intricacy. For local businesses and individuals in Chicago facing financial challenges, this breadth of experience ensures that their specific needs, whether as a debtor seeking reorganization or a creditor looking to maximize recovery, are addressed with deep expertise.

Mr. Goodman also provides critical counsel to clients in liquidations, out-of-court workouts, assignments for the benefit of creditors, and distressed transactions. Furthermore, he handles bankruptcy and creditors' rights litigation in both federal and state courts, showcasing his ability to advocate effectively in various legal forums. His specialized experience in commodities and securities bankruptcies is particularly noteworthy. He has represented a consortium of customers with substantial claims in major cases like the MF Global bankruptcy and served as special commodities counsel to the Chapter 7 trustee in the Peregrine Financial Group, Inc. bankruptcy. His involvement in the multi-billion dollar Chapter 11 case of In re Refco, Inc. and as counsel to an Ad Hoc Committee of Customers in In re Sentinel Management Group, Inc. further illustrates his expertise in these highly specialized and often volatile areas. He counsels large mutual funds, hedge funds, futures commission merchants, exchanges, and other entities, providing tailored advice for these sophisticated financial actors.

In addition to financial services bankruptcies, Mr. Goodman's practice extends to healthcare and energy bankruptcies, where he has represented debtors and large secured and unsecured creditors in significant healthcare cases, and served as counsel to creditors' committees in large Chapter 11 cases involving coal companies. This multi-sector experience highlights his adaptability and depth of knowledge across diverse industries, offering a significant advantage to clients in these specialized fields.

The features that distinguish Foley & Lardner LLP, and the practice led by Geoffrey S. Goodman, include its national footprint and its multidisciplinary approach. The firm's Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice is among the largest and most robust in the nation, boasting over 60 restructuring professionals nationwide. This extensive team ensures that clients benefit from a wealth of collective knowledge and experience. Foley & Lardner emphasizes providing "sound business advice and developing innovative ideas," acting as "trusted business advisors" who help clients achieve and surpass their objectives. The firm's ability to couple business acumen with industry knowledge allows them to deliver practical solutions whether in a complex Chapter 11, an out-of-court workout, or strategic acquisition or divestiture of distressed assets. Mr. Goodman is also a member of the firm's Appellate Practice, providing additional depth to his litigation capabilities.

Promotional information and accolades further underscore the firm's and Mr. Goodman's strong reputation. Geoffrey S. Goodman is consistently recognized by his peers and prominent legal directories. He has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law for multiple years (e.g., 2023-2024) and has been named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list from 2014 to 2025. He was also recognized by The Legal 500 for his work in finance – corporate restructuring, including bankruptcy. These consistent accolades from highly respected legal guides serve as strong endorsements of his expertise and the quality of his legal services.

Foley & Lardner LLP as a whole frequently receives awards and recognitions across its practice areas, which indirectly promotes the capabilities of its individual attorneys. The firm's Newsroom often features insights and press releases about key cases, legal trends, and attorney achievements, further enhancing its public profile. For instance, Mr. Goodman has commented on significant developments in cryptocurrency bankruptcies, demonstrating his ongoing engagement with emerging legal issues and his thought leadership in the field. The firm's commitment to pro bono work and community involvement also contributes to its overall positive image. For local users in Chicago seeking highly experienced, results-oriented legal counsel for complex bankruptcy, insolvency, and business reorganization matters, Geoffrey S. Goodman at Foley & Lardner LLP represents a premier choice within the "Nearby Lawyers" category, offering a blend of deep specialization and broad transactional and litigation experience.