Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Litigation - Bankruptcy
JG 
Joanne Gelfand
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
A veteran practitioner with experience in high profile matters, Joanne Gelfand’s practice is typically focused on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. She represents creditors, debtors, trustees and receivers in all aspects of bankruptcy and restructuring. In addition, she often oversees the purchase and sale of ongoing businesses in restructuring scenarios representing both buyers and sellers. Joanne is also a recognized expert in condominium association insolvencies from both the debtor and creditor side. Other experience includes representing homeowners in luxury golf course communities in disputes with developers, the Receiver in the prosecution of more than 100 fraudulent transfer “claw back” actions resulting from a $120 million Ponzi scheme and a Chapter 7 Trustee in the administration of a $120 million viatical portfolio for which Joanne was recognized by the Daily Business Review as the “Most Effective Bankruptcy Lawyer” in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Joanne serves as an arbitrator for The Florida Bar and actively takes on pro bono matters.
A seasoned author and lecturer, Joanne regularly shares her insights on bankruptcy topics, and previously served as an adjunct professor at New York University and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She is continually recognized as an outstanding lawyer by The Best Lawyers in America and the South Florida Legal Guide, and has served on the prestigious Long Range Planning Committee for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
Overview
West Palm Beach, Florida
- University of Florida, BS, cum laude, graduated 1982
- Florida, The Florida Bar
- New York, New York State Bar
- American Bar Association - Member
- American Heritage High School Moot Court Team - Head Coach, 2012-2013
- Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida, Elections Committee - Former Chair, 1992; Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Law Seminar, Co-Chair, 1991; Member
- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York, NY - Legal Writing for LL.M. and J.D. Programs, Adjunct Faculty, 1994-1998
- New York County Lawyers' Association, Business Bankruptcy Law Committee - Past Chair, 1999-2000; Past Member, 1995-2000
- New York University, New York, NY, School of Continuing and Professional Education & Teaching, Uniform Commercial Code; Business Structures; Workouts, Bankruptcies and Reorganizations; Debtor/Creditor Law - Adjunct faculty, 1995-2000
- The Eleventh Circuit Historical Society - Member
- The Florida Bar, Bankruptcy/Uniform Commercial Code Committee - Past Member; Assignments of Rents Subcommittee, Member
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, Strategic Planning Committee - Past Member, 1998-2000
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
West Palm Beach, Florida
- Florida, The Florida Bar
- New York, New York State Bar
- American Bar Association - Member
- American Heritage High School Moot Court Team - Head Coach, 2012-2013
- Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida, Elections Committee - Former Chair, 1992; Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Law Seminar, Co-Chair, 1991; Member
- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York, NY - Legal Writing for LL.M. and J.D. Programs, Adjunct Faculty, 1994-1998
- New York County Lawyers' Association, Business Bankruptcy Law Committee - Past Chair, 1999-2000; Past Member, 1995-2000
- New York University, New York, NY, School of Continuing and Professional Education & Teaching, Uniform Commercial Code; Business Structures; Workouts, Bankruptcies and Reorganizations; Debtor/Creditor Law - Adjunct faculty, 1995-2000
- The Eleventh Circuit Historical Society - Member
- The Florida Bar, Bankruptcy/Uniform Commercial Code Committee - Past Member; Assignments of Rents Subcommittee, Member
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, Strategic Planning Committee - Past Member, 1998-2000
- University of Florida, BS, cum laude, graduated 1982
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
Awards:
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
- Certified Arbitrator, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit In and For Broward County
- Board Certified Program Arbitrator, The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education
- Daily Business Review 2007, "Most Effective Bankruptcy Lawyer" in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties
- Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2010, 2013, Listed for Bankruptcy & Workout
- South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers 2010-2015, Listed for Bankruptcy, Creditors Rights
- Super Lawyers Magazine 2006, 2010-2014, 2016, Listed in Florida for Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights
News & Media
Additional Information
- Published Work and Lectures
- The Florida Bar, Speaker, "Bankruptcy: Advanced Issues for Community Association Practioners," April 4, 2014
- The Florida Bar CLE, Condominium & Planning Development Law, Speaker, "Bankruptcy for Association Practitioners," April 2012
- Ralph E. Boyer Institutes on Real Property and Condominium Law, Speaker, "Practical Bankruptcy Issues Affecting the Use, Sale or Lease of Real Property Included in a Bankruptcy Estate," October 2010
- The Florida Bar, Basic Commercial Litigation, Speaker, "Bankruptcy Law Issues," November 2009
- Daily Business Review, Author, "Supreme Court Ruling Increases Costs of Bankruptcies," March 29, 2007
- National Law Journal, Author, "The Enforcement of Voting Rights in Chapter 11's," November 21, 2005
- 56 University of Miami Law Review 601, Author, "The Treatment of Employment Discrimination Claims in Bankruptcy, Priority Status, Stay Relief, Dischargeability and Exemptions," April 2002
- National Law Journal, Author, "Tiptoeing Over Conflict in Bankruptcy," Jan. 7, 2002
- New York Law Journal, "Discharging Sexual Harassment Claims," June 22, 2000
- Bankruptcy Bench & Bar Newsletter, Editor, New York County Lawyers' Association, 1995-2000
- New York State Bar Association, Speaker, "Employment Law for Corporate Counsel and the General Practitioner," March 2000
- New York County Lawyers' Association, Speaker, "Significant Developments in Bankruptcy," November 1999
- New York County Lawyers' Association Evening Forum, Speaker, "Bankruptcy & Limited Liability Companies: Issues & Answers," April 1997
- Florida Bar Business Law Section Quarterly Report, Author, "Danger: Relying on Escrow Accounts After Bankruptcy," Summer 1993
- National Association of C.P.A's Annual Conference, Speaker, August 1992
- Speaker, "Creditors Problems and Pitfalls Under The Uniform Commercial Code and Bankruptcy Law," May 1992
- Speaker, "Basic Bankruptcy in Florida," February 1992
- Speaker, "Bankruptcy Practice and Procedure," January 1991
- Florida Bankers' Association, Consumer Lending/Bank Card Conference, Speaker, 1989 and 1990
- Representative Experience
- Representation of Parcside Equity, LLC, a life settlement business, in litigation before the Honorable Erik Kimball, successfully defending in excess of $24 million fraudulent transfer of viatical settlements contracts presenting issue of whether the transfers were exempt as securities. In re Parkside Case No. 13-1479 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 2013).
- Represented interests of homeowners in luxury country club/golf club communities where developer is bankrupt or insolvent in preserving their rights concerning the Club amenities and/or structuring the purchase of Club amenities from the insolvent developer including The New Club at Mediterra, Inc., The Shadow Wood Country Club, The Commons Club, and Tesoro.
- Represented various senior secured lenders in Chapter 11 concerning disputes relating to cash collateral, confirmation (including cramdown), surcharge, disposition of collateral, subordination of debt and priority of lien.
- Represented mortgage company during the liquidation and pre-bankruptcy planning of its operations consisting of the origination, selling and servicing of bundled subprime mortgages.
- Represented 100+ unit owners in the Maison Grande Condominium Assoc. Inc. bankruptcy case concerning disputes stemming from 99 year ground lease between the landlord and the bankruptcy condominium association.
- Represented Chapter 7 Trustee in the administration of a $120 M viatical portfolio which portfolio was serviced in the Chapter 7 (a historical event in chapter 7s involving viaticals) paving the way for a monetary distribution to the unsecured creditors.
- Represented the Shelbourne Beach hotel as Debtor-In-Possession successfully confirming a plan of reorganization.
- Represented the Receiver acting as lead counsel in the prosecution of more than 100 fraudulent transfer actions seeking recovery of profits by investors in a $120 million Ponzi scheme.
- Represented purchasers of assets from bankrupt debtors including real estate, ongoing businesses, inventory, and intellectual property.
- Represented landlords in all aspects of bankruptcy.
- Represented 109 homeowners in mega-case of General Development, Corp. preserving their rights to multi- million dollar letter of credit.
- Represented consortium of banks in cruise line bankruptcy concerning confirmation issues.
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