Richard E Lear

For businesses, institutional lenders, and individuals navigating the intricate and often challenging landscape of insolvency, bankruptcy, and creditors' rights, having an attorney with profound experience and a stellar reputation is paramount. In Washington, DC, Richard E. Lear stands out as a highly respected and long-practicing lawyer in these complex areas of law. Based at the prestigious firm of Holland & Knight LLP, Mr. Lear brings decades of specialized knowledge to his practice, particularly focusing on bankruptcy-related litigation, Chapter 11 proceedings, and advising on transactional insolvency issues.

Mr. Lear's career spans over 40 years, with a dedicated focus on insolvency, Chapter 11 cases, and creditors' rights. He has served as counsel for a diverse range of clients, including institutional lenders, franchisors, leasing companies, and landlords, guiding them through the complexities of individual and business bankruptcies and workout situations. His expertise extends to counseling clients on the impact of bankruptcy and insolvency on various financial transactions, such as proposed bond refundings and conventional loan refinancings. More recently, Mr. Lear has focused exclusively on reviewing and negotiating legal opinions concerning bankruptcy-remote structures and substantive consolidation, often collaborating with real estate finance attorneys across the country.

Beyond his direct legal practice, Richard E. Lear is also a recognized thought leader and educator. He has lectured extensively on bankruptcy issues at numerous seminars sponsored by local, regional, and state bar associations, and was an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, teaching real estate bankruptcy. He is also the founder and editor of Holland & Knight's national Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights newsletter. His deep-seated knowledge, combined with his long-standing contributions to legal education and literature, positions him as a go-to authority for sophisticated bankruptcy and insolvency matters in the District of Columbia and beyond.

Richard E. Lear practices at the Washington, DC office of Holland & Knight LLP, located in the prominent PNC Bank Building, at 800 17th St NW #1100, Washington, DC 20006, USA. This address places the firm in an exceptionally central and prestigious part of the city, ensuring outstanding accessibility for clients and professionals throughout the District of Columbia and the greater metropolitan area.

The 17th Street NW corridor is a prime location in downtown DC, situated just a few blocks from the White House and other major federal buildings. Its central position means it is incredibly well-served by Washington's comprehensive public transportation network. The firm's office is within easy walking distance of several key Metro stations, including Farragut West (Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines) and Farragut North (Red Line). This proximity to multiple Metro lines provides seamless connectivity for individuals commuting from various parts of DC, as well as from suburban Maryland and Virginia, making travel to the office straightforward and convenient. Additionally, numerous Metrobus routes operate frequently in the immediate vicinity, offering further public transit options.

For those who prefer to drive, while on-street parking in downtown Washington, DC can be limited, there are several commercial parking garages available within a short walking distance of the PNC Bank Building. The building itself is a modern, high-rise office complex, reflecting a professional and established environment. This strategic and easily accessible location underscores Holland & Knight's commitment to serving its diverse and sophisticated clientele with efficiency and convenience in the heart of the nation's capital.

Richard E. Lear's practice within Holland & Knight LLP is highly specialized, focusing on complex areas of insolvency, bankruptcy, and creditors' rights. His services are primarily directed towards institutional clients, businesses, and entities navigating challenging financial restructurings and related legal issues. The key services offered include:

• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law: Comprehensive representation for institutional lenders, franchisors, leasing companies, and landlords in connection with individual and business Chapter 11 cases. This involves guiding clients through the intricacies of bankruptcy proceedings and restructuring efforts to protect their interests.
• Litigation - Bankruptcy: Expertise in disputes and litigation arising within bankruptcy contexts. Mr. Lear handles court proceedings related to insolvency, ensuring clients' rights are aggressively defended.
• Transactional Insolvency Issues: Advising clients on the effects of bankruptcy and insolvency on various transactions, such as proposed bond refundings and conventional loan refinancings. This includes counsel on bankruptcy-remote structures, substantive consolidation, true sales, and analysis of preference and fraudulent transfers.
• Legal Opinions on Bankruptcy Issues: A particular current focus involves reviewing and negotiating reasoned legal opinions addressing bankruptcy-remote structures and substantive consolidation, especially in connection with commercial mortgage-backed securities and other real estate finance transactions.
• Workouts: Assisting clients in negotiating and structuring out-of-court agreements to resolve financial distress and avoid formal bankruptcy proceedings when possible.
• Advisory Services on Regulatory Compliance: Counseling clients on how bankruptcy and insolvency laws impact their business operations and transactions, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks.
• Education and Thought Leadership: While not a direct service to individual clients, Mr. Lear's extensive lecturing at bar associations and his role as editor of Holland & Knight's national Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights newsletter contribute significantly to the broader legal community's understanding of these complex areas.

Richard E. Lear's professional profile is marked by several significant features and highlights that underscore his standing as a leading attorney in bankruptcy and insolvency law in Washington, DC:

• Deep Specialization and Experience: With over 40 years of experience, Mr. Lear possesses a profound depth of knowledge specifically in bankruptcy, creditors' rights, and insolvency law. This long-standing focus ensures highly specialized and effective counsel for complex financial matters.
• Nationally Recognized Expertise: He is consistently recognized in prestigious legal publications such as The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in "Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law" and "Litigation - Bankruptcy." This peer recognition highlights his standing as a top practitioner in his field.
• Academic and Educational Contributions: Mr. Lear served as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, teaching real estate bankruptcy. He also frequently lectures at various bar associations, demonstrating his commitment to sharing knowledge and advancing the understanding of bankruptcy law.
• Author and Editor: He founded and edits Holland & Knight's national Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights newsletter and has authored numerous articles and seminar outlines on bankruptcy issues. This active involvement in legal scholarship further solidifies his authority in the field.
• Focus on Complex Transactions: His current practice emphasizes reviewing and negotiating legal opinions on highly technical transactional insolvency issues, such as bankruptcy-remote structures and substantive consolidation, showcasing his ability to handle the most intricate aspects of financial law.
• Law Clerk to a Chief Bankruptcy Judge: Mr. Lear's experience as a law clerk to the Honorable Martin V. B. Bostetter, Jr., Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, from 1983-1985, provided him with invaluable insights into the judicial process from the court's perspective.
• Affiliation with Holland & Knight LLP: Practicing at Holland & Knight, a prominent international law firm, provides Mr. Lear with extensive resources, a collaborative environment, and access to a wide range of legal specialties, allowing for comprehensive support on multi-faceted cases.

As a highly experienced attorney specializing in complex areas of corporate and institutional bankruptcy, creditors' rights, and transactional insolvency, Richard E. Lear and Holland & Knight LLP do not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the consumer retail sense. Their value proposition is rooted in providing sophisticated, high-level legal counsel for intricate financial and legal challenges faced by businesses and large organizations.

Instead, the "offers" and benefits provided by Mr. Lear and a firm of Holland & Knight's stature are reflected in their operational model and commitment to their specialized clientele:

• Strategic Advisory and Deep Expertise: Clients receive the benefit of Mr. Lear's over four decades of focused experience in bankruptcy and insolvency law. This deep expertise translates into highly strategic and effective legal advice for complex, high-stakes situations, which is a significant "offer" in itself for organizations facing financial distress or transactional risks.
• Thought Leadership and Industry Insights: Through Mr. Lear's prolific writing and speaking engagements, as well as the firm's national Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights newsletter, clients and the broader legal community benefit from up-to-date analysis and insights into evolving bankruptcy laws and practices. This constant flow of expert information serves as a valuable resource.
• Collaborative Resources of a Global Firm: Engaging Mr. Lear means tapping into the vast resources of Holland & Knight, a firm with a global presence and diverse practice groups. This allows for seamless collaboration on cases that span multiple legal areas or jurisdictions, providing a comprehensive solution that many smaller practices cannot offer.
• Personalized, High-Level Counsel: While handling complex matters, Mr. Lear is known for providing personalized attention to his clients, ensuring that their specific needs and objectives are met with tailored legal strategies. This level of dedicated service for sophisticated legal issues is a core "offer."

Prospective institutional or corporate clients seeking counsel on bankruptcy, creditors' rights, or complex transactional insolvency issues are encouraged to reach out directly to Holland & Knight's Washington, DC office to discuss their specific needs and learn more about how Richard E. Lear's expertise can be of benefit.

For businesses, institutional lenders, and other entities in the District of Columbia seeking highly specialized legal counsel from Richard E. Lear at Holland & Knight LLP, please use the following contact details for their Washington, DC office:

• Address: PNC Bank Building, 800 17th St NW #1100, Washington, DC 20006, USA
• Phone: (202) 955-3000 (Main office line for Holland & Knight LLP)
• Mobile Phone: +1 202-955-3000 (This number is consistent with the main office line, suggesting it's the primary contact for the firm.)

For more detailed information about Richard E. Lear's practice, the full range of Holland & Knight's services, or to make a specific inquiry, visiting the official Holland & Knight LLP website (hklaw.com) is highly recommended. The website often provides direct contact information for individual attorneys and comprehensive firm profiles.

For businesses, financial institutions, and sophisticated legal entities operating within the District of Columbia, the presence of an attorney like Richard E. Lear at Holland & Knight LLP makes this firm exceptionally suitable and invaluable to the local ecosystem. In a city that serves as a major hub for finance, policy, and complex transactions, expert guidance in bankruptcy, creditors' rights, and insolvency law is not just an asset, but a necessity.

Locals, particularly those involved in commercial lending, real estate finance, or corporate restructuring, benefit directly from Mr. Lear's unparalleled expertise. His focus on complex Chapter 11 cases, transactional insolvency issues, and the nuanced area of legal opinions on bankruptcy structures means that Washington, DC-based organizations have access to a top-tier specialist without needing to look outside the city. This localized access to such deep, national-level expertise is a significant advantage.

Furthermore, Mr. Lear's role as an educator and thought leader through Georgetown University and various bar associations reflects a commitment to elevating the understanding of complex financial law within the DC legal community. This contributes to a stronger, more knowledgeable local legal landscape, benefiting all who operate within it. His long-standing affiliation with a globally respected firm like Holland & Knight also means that local clients receive the benefit of vast resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and robust support infrastructure.

The firm's strategic location in the PNC Bank Building, with its easy access via public transportation, further enhances its suitability for busy DC professionals. This combination of highly specialized expertise, a stellar professional reputation, a commitment to legal education, and convenient local presence makes Richard E. Lear and Holland & Knight LLP an ideal and highly suitable choice for any local entity facing complex bankruptcy and insolvency challenges in the District of Columbia.