J. Ellsworth Summers Jr.
Recognized since 2016
Jacksonville, Florida
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Ellsworth is a partner in the firm's Jacksonville office where he practices in the firm's Creditor's Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group.
His practice focuses on assisting lenders in commercial loan litigation in bankruptcy, federal and state courts. Ellsworth has extensive experience with workouts, business reorganizations and liquidations, distressed asset acquisitions, special counsel assignments and adversary proceedings. He has represented secured lenders, creditors’ committees, local governments, trustees, trade creditors, landlords, unsecured creditors, bondholders, homeowners’ associations, 363 asset purchasers and other stakeholders in a variety of business Chapter 11 cases.
Mr. Summers has significant trial experience in federal and state court as a commercial litigator. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, homeowner association disputes, tax disputes, contract litigation, receiverships, lender liability, commercial evictions, and other real-estate related litigation.
In his business practice, Ellsworth assists clients with purchasing and selling assets, and regularly advises on the impact of insolvency on complex financial transactions.
Mr. Summers has appeared before state and federal courts in 13 states, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Mr. Summers enjoys an AV-rating and has routinely been named to the Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Legal Elite, and Florida Best Lawyers lists.
Prior to private practice, Ellsworth clerked for the Honorable Stephen C. St. John, Chief United State Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Contact & Links
- Lawyer Page: http://www.burr.com/attorney/j-ellsworth-summers-jr
- E-mail: esummers@burr.com
Location
- Bank of America Tower, Suite 3000
50 North Laura Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Education
- University of Florida, M.B.A, graduated 2016
- Stetson University , J.D., graduated 1998
- Hampden-Sydney College, B.A., graduated 1994
Bar Admissions
- Florida, Florida Bar Association
- Virginia, Virginia Bar Association
Affiliations
- ABI Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop - Advisory Board Member
- American Bankruptcy Institute - Member
- Bankruptcy Law Educational Series Foundation - Board Member (2013-2018)
- Bankruptcy Middle District of Florida Steering Committee - Member (2013-2018)
- Florida Bar Association - Member
- Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association - Board Member (2007-2020)
- Judge Alexander L. Paskay Seminar on Bankruptcy Law and Practice - Advisory Board Member
- Virginia Bar Association - Member
Court Admissions
- Florida Supreme Court
- Virginia Supreme Court
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Northern District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court – Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court – Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court – Southern District of Florida
206 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
35 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America awards

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 for work in:
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
Special Focus
- COVID-19
Awards:
- Chambers USA, Leading Practitioner in Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2019)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Judicial Review Rating
- Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2016-2020)
- Florida Trend, "Legal Elite," Bankruptcy & Workout (2014, 2016, 2018)
- Florida Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, Bankruptcy & Creditor/ Debtor Rights (2013-2016), Bankruptcy: Business (2017-2019)
- Florida Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," Business Litigation, Bankruptcy & Creditor/ Debtor Rights (2009-2011)
- Florida Super Lawyers, "Top 100 List," Florida
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