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Christine E. Baur, Esq.
Law Office of Christine E. Baur

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Practice Profile

Christine E. Baur specializes in the area of commercial bankruptcy, insolvency counseling, financial restructuring, and creditors’ rights. Ms. Baur represents debtors, creditors’ committees, equity committees, secured and unsecured creditors, acquirers of distressed assets, lenders, trustees, and other parties-in-interest in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings across the country. Ms. Baur also advises and represents companies in filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. Ms. Baur was previously a partner at Baker & McKenzie LLP, where she was a member of its Financial Restructuring, Creditors’ Rights, and Bankruptcy Practice Group.

Representative Bankruptcy Engagements

Debtor Representations

· Representation of 300+ location national cell phone service provider in orderly wind down and Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding.

· Representation of Chapter 11 debtor-in-possession real estate investment company in restructuring of over $400 million in noteholder claims.

· Representation of medical device company with international operations in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding.

· Representation of Chapter 11 debtor-in-possession public holding company that, through its subsidiaries, operated the largest telecommunications company in Poland in the restructuring of $1 billion debt, including $400 million of publicly traded securities.

· Representation of seven affiliated Chapter 11 debtors-in-possession in the restructuring, sale, and reorganization of $100 million restaurant franchise business located in multiple states.

· Representation of Chapter 11 debtor-in-possession in the reorganization and sale of restaurant franchise business located in multiple states.

Creditors’ Committee Representations

· Representation of unsecured creditors’ committee of public company restaurant operator including in Section 363 sale of substantially all of company’s assets and global settlement negotiations with secured creditor and insurance carrier.

· Representation of multiple childhood sexual abuse victim creditors, comprising largest portion of creditors’ committee, in Roman Catholic Diocese bankruptcy case resulting in settlement of over $2 billion in mass tort claims.

· Representation of unsecured creditors’ committee of manufacturer of ephedra dietary supplements resulting in Section 363 sale of substantially all of company’s assets and global settlement of over $2 billion in mass tort claims in multi-district litigation.

· Representation of unsecured creditors’ committee of second largest cell phone service provider franchise business resulting in Section 363 sale of substantially all of company’s assets and global settlement with secured creditor.

Equity Committee Representations

· Representation of equity committee of public holding company of manufacturer of recreational vehicles with respect to consensually negotiated joint plan of reorganization.

· Representation of equity committee of public technology company including in dispute with largest creditor resulting in Third Circuit appellate opinion.

Secured Creditor Representations

· Representation of financial institution as secured lender in bankruptcy of church.

· Representation of senior secured creditor in bankruptcy of strategic alliance partner and as lender for seven-figure debtor-in-possession loan facility.

· Representation of second position lienholder in bankruptcy of real estate company.

· Representation of secured lender in recovery of multi-million secured claim in full in bankruptcy case of gasoline retailer debtor.

· Representation of largest secured creditor in global settlement of secured claim in bankruptcy of its wholly owned subsidiary in international irradiation technology industry.

· Representation of second position lienholder in bankruptcy of medical device company.

Unsecured Creditor Representations

· Representation of former executive in bankruptcy of national media company in connection with administrative and unsecured employment claims.

Transactional Representations

· Representation of principals in bankruptcy of custom manufacturing company and related acquisition of assets in bankruptcy auction.

· Representation of Korea’s largest cell phone service provider in out-of-court strategic disposition of financially distressed investment.

· Representation of Japan’s largest entertainment company in multi-million dollar Section 363 acquisition of substantially all assets of affiliated nationwide operator of retail entertainment and dining complexes.

· Representation of Japan’s largest entertainment company in multi-million dollar Section 363 auction participation for substantially all assets of competitor nationwide operator of retail entertainment and dining complexes.

· Representation of private equity firm as plan sponsor for multi-location retail establishment debtor.

Corporate Misconduct Representations

· Representation of Chapter 11 trustee of mortgage brokerage firm in bankruptcy case that was precipitated by SEC and criminal investigations revealing a massive Ponzi scheme.

· Representation of Chapter 11 trustee in $400 million Ponzi scheme bankruptcy case involving massive secondary market mortgage fraud.

· Representation of hedge fund sued for avoidance action claims for securities transactions that were revealed to be part of a massive Ponzi scheme.

· Representation of Swiss financial institution sued for avoidance action claims for offshore securities transactions that were revealed to be part of a massive Ponzi scheme.

· Representation of Chapter 7 trustee in investigation and recovery of multi-million machinery assets converted by affiliated entities of former principal of debtor criminally convicted of fraud.

· Representation of insurance company creditor in $400 million Ponzi scheme bankruptcy case involving massive lease pool rights fraud.

Publications

· “The Unsuspecting Creditor: Fraud and Ponzi Schemes,” Inside the Minds: Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Client Strategies, (Aspatore Books) 2008.

· “Recent Decisions Involving Chapter 11 Creditors’ Committees,” American Bar Association, Section of Business Law, Chapter 11 Subcommittee and Bankruptcy Committee, 2004.

· “Deepening Insolvency,” Co-author with Ali M.M. Mojdehi and Alisa A. Woodring, Turnaround Management Association Fall Meeting, 2004.

· “Protecting Your Company Against Preferential Transfers in Insolvency Proceedings,” For the Record, 2003.

Speaking Engagements

· California Bankruptcy Forum Annual Conference, Young Insolvency Professionals Luncheon, May 16, 2009.

· “Opportunistic Acquisitions: Acquiring Distressed Assets In and Out of Bankruptcy,” Baker & McKenzie North American Corporate and Securities Practice Group Meeting, May 3, 2008.

Professional Affiliations

· American Bankruptcy Institute

· American Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section

· Boston College Law School Alumni Association

· California Bankruptcy Forum, Director, 2009-present; 2011 Conference Educational Co-Chair

· Holy Cross Club of San Diego

· Holy Cross Lawyers Association

· International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Director of San Diego Chapter, 2010-present

· National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges

· Orange County Bankruptcy Forum

· San Diego Bankruptcy Forum, Director, 2007-present

· San Diego County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section

· Women’s Insolvency Network of San Diego, Officer and Director, 2003-2007

Admissions

· Massachusetts, 1996

· California, 2000

· U.S. Supreme Court

· U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

· U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

· U.S. District Courts: Southern, Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California

Education

· B.A., cum laude, College of the Holy Cross, 1993, Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Chi Honor Society

· J.D., Boston College Law School, 1996

Languages

· French

· German