G. David Dean
Memberddean@coleschotz.com Delaware Office500 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1410, Wilmington, DE 19801
T: 302-651-2012 / C: 443-255-2190 / F: 302-574-2103
Legal Practice Assistant: Rachel Deely
T: 302-652-3131 ext. 2502
rdeely@coleschotz.com
OVERVIEW
G. David Dean is a member of the Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring and Litigation Departments. He is a resident in the firm’s Wilmington, Delaware office. David practices in the areas of complex bankruptcy and corporate and commercial litigation in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, Delaware Court of Chancery and other courts throughout the country.
In bankruptcy proceedings, David has served as lead counsel to debtors, official committees of unsecured creditors, major creditors and asset purchasers. He has also served as trial counsel to a foreign representative in one of the most significant international insolvency trials in U.S. history. David has also been appointed by the Office of the U.S. Trustee to serve as a Chapter 11 trustee. In these roles, David utilizes superior problem-solving, and when appropriate, litigation skills to achieve the best results for his clients and bankruptcy estates. David’s unique combination of substantive bankruptcy knowledge and litigation and trial skills allows him to lead any type of bankruptcy matter with efficiency and effectiveness. He also works effectively with financially troubled clients to avoid bankruptcy or litigation before it arises. David has represented clients in a variety of industries including technology, manufacturing, real estate, retail, health care and advertising.
In litigation matters, David blends superb writing, examination and oral advocacy skills with a strong knowledge of the rules of evidence and procedure in a way that translates into tangible results. His litigation practice focuses on a variety of corporate and commercial disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty suits, shareholder disputes, appraisal actions, board of director disputes, fraudulent transfer litigation, insurance, intellectual property and breach of contract cases of all types. David is also experienced in representing companies in disputes involving the expert valuation of businesses and other assets, as well as injunctive remedies. He has experience counseling clients through mass torts and international issues. While David thrives in a litigation environment, he recognizes that most clients prefer to use constructive counsel in litigation. David prides himself in problem-solving techniques designed to resolve disputes that are capable of being resolved prior to trial.
Representative lead debtor and creditors’ committee matters include:
- Debtors’ counsel for Videology, Inc., one of the leading advertising technology companies in the world, and certain of its subsidiaries, in Delaware Bankruptcy Court
- Debtors’ counsel for the largest camera and imaging retail business in the country, Ritz Camera Centers, which at the time of the filing of its Chapter 11 case had 930 retail stores and sales of just under $1 billion, in Delaware Bankruptcy Court
- Debtors’ counsel for Owens Corning, one of the largest bankruptcy cases ever filed, in Delaware Bankruptcy Court, involving complex asbestos claims
- Debtors’ counsel for Fedders Corporation, the largest U.S. manufacturer of room air conditioners, in Delaware Bankruptcy Court
- Debtors’ counsel for one of the largest independent homebuilders in the Mid-Atlantic, Gemcraft Homes and its affiliates, which successfully reorganized under Chapter 11 and emerged with ownership intact and shedding over $100 million in secured debt as well as millions in unsecured debt, with exit financing of approximately $65 million
- Debtors’ counsel for a large non-profit provider of low-income affordable, City Homes, Inc., in a reorganization case involving the resolution of lead-paint claims
- Counsel for the official committee of unsecured creditors of The Merit Group, Inc., which at the time of the filing of its Chapter 11 case was the leading paint sundries distribution company in the United States
- Creditors’ committee representations also include WISP Ski Resorts, Game Trading Technologies, Inc., Technology Services, Inc. and Dominion Paving & Sealing, Inc.
- Defense of an appraisal action in Delaware Chancery Court involving a truss manufacturer
- Defense of a breach of fiduciary duty class action claim in Delaware Chancery Court involving two-part merger of borrower
- Representation of members of board of directors in bylaw challenge in Delaware Chancery Court
- Representation of company in suit involving claims for breach of shareholder agreement and implied covenants, in Delaware Chancery Court
- Counsel to plaintiff in fraudulent transfer and breach of fiduciary duty case against former directors and seller of business involving leveraged buyout
- Defense of former officers and directors in breach of fiduciary duty and related claims
- Technology companies SNMP Research, Inc. and SNMP Research International, Inc. in litigation against Nortel Networks and Avaya, Inc. in Delaware Bankruptcy Court, in claims for copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract
- Defense of a group of former employees of a former investment firm in a lawsuit challenging bonuses and other payments as alleged fraudulent transfers
- The foreign representative in the Qimonda A.G. bankruptcy case, involving one of the most important foreign insolvency decisions in history concerning comity and choice of law in connection with the representative’s treatment of intellectual property license agreements
- Representation of petitioning creditors in hotly contested involuntary bankruptcy actions, one of which was successfully litigation to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
At Cole Schotz, David plays an integral role in managing the Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring practice, serving as Co-Deputy Chair of the department. David also takes pride in mentoring associates and junior partners in the firm and is heavily involved in the firm’s mentoring program. He is also an active member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, where he is a member of the advisory board for the organization’s yearly Mid-Atlantic conference.
David gives back to the community through his pro bono representations by helping people with limited means navigate through difficult legal matters on a pro se basis. He most recently assisted a client in a substantial litigation regarding a guardianship in Delaware Family Court. David’s pro bono representations also include helping those who cannot afford to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
David has been recognized for his work in by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America 2016 through 2019. David was previously named a rising star by Super Lawyers and was named in M&A Advisor’s “40 Under 40 Legal Advisors.” See Award Methodology.
Education
University of Baltimore, J.D., Valedictorian, summa cum laude, 2002University of Maryland, B.A., 1999Bar & Court Admissions
DelawareMarylandDistrict of ColumbiaVirginiaNEWS
News
Best Lawyers Recognizes 31 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2019 List
August 15, 2018
Ch. 11 Auction Drives Videology Inc. Sale Price To $119M
As published in: Law360 July 17. 2018
F-Squared Discovery Delayed In Del. Ch. 11 Trustee Suits
As published in: Law360 June 18, 2018
Chambers USA Recognizes 19 Cole Schotz Attorneys
May 3, 2018
Business people: Jan. 18, 2018
As published in: Delaware Business Now January 18, 2018
Wake Up Call: Mueller Subpoenas Bannon in Russia Probe
As published in: Bloomberg Big Law Business January 17, 2018
Veteran Cole Schotz Attorney David Dean Joins Delaware Office
January 16, 2018
Best Lawyers Recognizes 34 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2018 List
August 15, 2017
Chambers USA Recognizes 19 Cole Schotz Attorneys
May 30, 2017
Norman Pernick, Nicholas Brannick and David Dean were mentioned as representing SNMP companies in "Software Co. In Nortel Ch. 11 Tries To Up $8M Claim To $81M"
As published in: Law360 May 12, 2017
Norman Pernick, Nicholas Brannick and David Dean represented SNMP as Nortel resolves objections to Ch.11 plan from IP fight
As published in: Law360 January 13, 2017
Best Lawyers Recognizes 33 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2017 List
August 15, 2016
Norman Pernick, Nicholas Brannick and David Dean were mentioned in article titled, "$200M Looks Too High For SNMP IP Claim, Nortel Judge Says"
As published in: Law360 July 7, 2016
Chambers USA Recognizes 22 Cole Schotz Attorneys
May 27, 2016
David Dean was quoted in an article titled, "Cost savings spark spread of structured bankruptcy dismissals"
As published in: The Deal September 9, 2015
David Dean was quoted in an article titled, "Nortel Bankruptcy Judge Can't Rule On Avaya Claims: SNMP"
As published in: Law360 May 29, 2015
EVENTS
Upcoming Events
Recent Events
The Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association "Spring Break" CLE Presentation
Attorney Speaking: G. David DeanMay 4, 2018The Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association - Greenbelt Chapter - March Meeting
Attorneys Speaking: G. David Dean and Brianne N. LansingerMarch 15, 2018The Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association - Baltimore Chapter - February Meeting
Attorneys Speaking: Brianne N. Lansinger and G. David DeanFebruary 16, 2018District of Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association Spring Break CLE Weekend
Attorney Speaking: G. David DeanMay 13-14, 2016American Bankruptcy Institute 10th Annual Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop
Attorney Speaking: G. David DeanJuly 31 - August 2, 201418th Annual Spring Break Weekend
Attorneys Speaking: Gary H. Leibowitz and G. David DeanMay 2 - 3, 2014PUBLICATIONS
Publications
The 5th edition of the Bankruptcy Deadline Checklist, authored by Norman Pernick and edited by David Dean, has just been released by the American Bar Association
June 2, 2016
Norman L. Pernick and G. David DeanCourts Reverse Trend on Interpretation of § 303(b)(1)
American Bankruptcy Institute October 2014
G. David DeanAbsence of Reference to LLCs in the Code: An "Insider" Problem
American Bankruptcy Institute August 2012
G. David DeanStructured Chapter 11 Dismissals: A Viable and Growing Alternative After Asset Sales
American Bankruptcy Institute This article was selected for inclusion in ABI's newest book, Best of ABI 2011: The Year in Business Bankruptcy. June 2010
G. David Dean and Norman L. PernickBankruptcy Deadline Checklist, 4th Edition: An Easy-to-Use Reference Guide for Case Management and Administration
American Bar Association 2009
G. David Dean and Norman L. PernickStructuring a Sale of Privately-Held Stock to Reduce Fraudulent-Transfer Claims Risk
American Bankruptcy Institute September 2009
G. David Dean and Irving E. WalkerA Roadmap for Managing §503(b)(9) Claims and Objections: The Debtor’s Perspective
American Bankruptcy Institute Journal October 2008
G. David Dean and J. Kate Stickles