Christopher J. Leavell
- Bankruptcy & Restructuring |
- Litigation |
- Philadelphia, PA |
- Marlton, NJ |
Biography
A creditors’ rights and commercial bankruptcy attorney, Christopher began his career as law clerk for the Hon. Bruce I. Fox, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Since joining the firm, he has represented clients both inside and outside of bankruptcy, including institutional lenders, commercial landlords, receivers, trustees, shareholders, product distributors, and other business entities.
Christopher has been involved in several high-profile commercial disputes, including a shareholder suit involving the Pennsylvania Securities Act that recently went before the PA Supreme Court as an issue of first impression in the Commonwealth. He briefed and argued the matter before the PA Supreme Court, resulting in a unanimous victory for his client.
He lives with his family outside Princeton, New Jersey, and divides his practice between the firm’s New Jersey and Philadelphia offices.
He serves on the board (vestry) of Trinity Church in Princeton, a historic Episcopal church established in 1833. He is also an accomplished classical musician and studied viola performance at The Juilliard School while an undergraduate at Columbia University in New York.
Education
Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
- Associate Managing Editor, Rutgers Journal of Law & Religion
Columbia College, Columbia University, A.B.
Clerkships
Honorable Bruce I. Fox, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Memberships
Member, Board of Directors, Project 440
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
Member, Camden County Bar Association
Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
Awards & Honors
Named to the “Pennsylvania Rising Stars” list by Thomson Reuters for creditor/debtor rights (2021-2023)*
Named to “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” list for Litigation – Bankruptcy by Best Lawyers® (2021-2025)*
Named to “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” list for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law by Best Lawyers® (2024-2025)*
News & Events
Co-author, “Supreme Court Strengthens Insurance Carriers’ Right To Be Heard In Chapter 11 Cases,” June 27, 2024
Press Release, “Klehr Harrison Receives Favorable Decision in Securities Fraud Case from Pennsylvania Supreme Court,” July 25, 2023
Author, “Under Financial Pressure, Colleges Face a Complex Balancing Act in the Weeks Ahead,” August 14, 2020
Author, “NJ Now Prohibits the Use of Confessed Judgments in Financing Agreements Targeted at Garden State Businesses,” June 20, 2020
Author, “Using PPP Proceeds as Collateral for Other Loans—Implications for Borrowers and Secured Lenders,” April 17, 2020
Experience
- Briefed and argued an issue of first impression in the Commonwealth before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court of whether a plaintiff in a Pennsylvania securities fraud action has the obligation under section 1-401(b) of the Pennsylvania Securities Act to plead and prove intentional misrepresentation, resulting in a favorable decision for the client.
- The bankruptcy trustee in liquidation of Atlantic City casino.
- International real estate holding company in lease workouts throughout Pennsylvania.
- Multiple bank clients as creditors in business and consumer bankruptcies and in loan workouts.
- Insurer in a bankruptcy proceeding involving a $30 million fraud recovery.
- National self-storage company as a creditor in bankruptcies throughout the United States.