Jules S. Cohen

People

Described in Chambers USA as “an outstanding bankruptcy lawyer,” Jules Cohen represents banks and other lenders as secured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings in all types of businesses. He has represented clients in notable bankruptcy proceedings, including, the billion dollar Chapter 11 case of Braniff Airlines, serving as the court appointed examiner of the Sheraton Twin Towers case, and representing a lender group with a $114 million secured claim in the Gencor Industries case.

In addition, Jules represents buyers of assets from bankruptcy cases and defendants in preference suits. In addition to his Chambers recognition in Chambers USA, he has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America annually since its inception and is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law.

Notable Work

Braniff Airlines, Inc.:

Represented an aircraft lessor, an aircraft manufacturer, Sony Corporation, and other parties in the Chapter 11 case of Braniff Airlines. The total debt in the case was $1 billion.

Gencor Industries, Inc.:

Represented as co-counsel in representing a lender group which had a secured claim of $114 million against an affiliated group of manufacturing companies in their Chapter 11 case.

Terion, Inc.:

Represented a $20 million shareholder creditor in the successful Chapter 11 reorganization of this high tech company.

Sheraton Twin Towers:

Appointed examiner with expanded powers by the bankruptcy Judge in the Chapter 11 case of the Sheraton Twin Towers Hotel, an 850 room hotel in the tourist area of Orlando.

Golden Gem Growers, Inc.:

Represented SunTrust Bank concerning a $35 million dollar loan on inventory and receivables of a citrus processing company which filed Chapter 11.

Dupont Center:

Represented the Texas Teachers Retirement System as a holder of a $55 million mortgage on one of the most valuable high-rise office buildings in downtown Orlando in negotiating a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

AirNet, Inc.:

Represented a multi-million dollar shareholder-creditor in a successful Chapter 11 reorganization.

Joseph M. Caruso Sr. and Jr.:

Represented SunTrust Bank, Central Florida, N.A., as an $8 million creditor in Chapter 7 bankruptcies of a father and son in investigation and litigation of numerous transfers and concealments of assets.

Ocala Ford, Inc.:

Represented Ford Motor Credit Company as the main creditor, holding a claim of $8 million secured by a lien on new and used car inventories, parts, accounts receivable, and other assets.

Princeton Hospital:

Represented Health Care Financial Partners, one of the major secured creditors in the Chapter 11 case of Princeton Hospital, one of the major hospitals in the Orlando area.

Large Shopping Center (Name Confidential):

Akerman served as attorney for the Chapter 11 Trustee of a large shopping center in the bankruptcy case of Melbourne Beach, LLC. This was a large, complex case involving the operation of the shopping center, negotiating a partial settlement between the two owners who had been litigating for six years, negotiating with numerous prospective buyers, obtaining a contract in the midst of the pandemic to sell the shopping center for $14 million, obtaining the approval of the bankruptcy court of the sale, closing the sale, paying all non-insider claims in full and distributing the money to the owners. This excellent outcome was the result of the bankruptcy, litigation and real estate services of Akerman professionals working together and our unique ability to negotiate a partial settlement of the disputes between the owners to enable the sale.

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Today’s General Counsel, Author, "A Business You Have A Contract With Files Bankruptcy – What Do You Do," June 2021
Corporate LiveWire: Expert Guide Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Author, "The Danger of Cramdown for Secured Creditors in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy," 2013
Orlando Chamber of Commerce's First Monday, Speaker, "Bankruptcy Filing in Central Florida Increase," January 2002
The Florida Bar Journal, Author, "The Use of The Florida Homestead To Defraud Creditors," December, 1998
Vault & Gavel, Florida Bankers Association, Author, "Bankruptcy-What Lenders Need to Know," Spring 1997
Orlando Business Journal, Author, Accounts Still Collectible Even with Bankruptcy," February 28, 1997
American Bar Association Annual Meeting, Speaker, "Lenders Leases & Mortgages In Real Estate Bankruptcies," 1996
Real Estate Review Course, Florida Bar Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund, 1993-1995
Orlando Business Journal and Legal Bulletin of Florida Bankers Association, Author, "Collecting Money From People Who File Bankruptcy"
Orlando Business Journal, Author, "What Happens When the Business You Have a Contract with Files Bankruptcy"
52 American Bankruptcy Law Journal 259, Author, "Shareholders Advances: Capital or Loans?"
Lecturer, "Bankruptcy," The Florida Bar, Attorney's Title Insurance Fund, National Business Institute, and other organizations
The Fund Concept 23, Lawyer Title Guaranty Fund, Author, "The New Bankruptcy Code," May 1979
Basic Practice Under the New Florida Corporation Law, The Florida Bar, Author, "Insolvency and Termination of Corporate Existence," 1976
49 Florida Bar Journal 36, Author, "The Proposed Bankruptcy Administration," 1975

American Bar Association, Business Bankruptcy Committee, Member
The Florida Bar, Member
Orange County Bar Association, Member
Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association, Member
The Florida Bar, Business Law Section and Bankruptcy Committee, Past Chair

American College of Bankruptcy, Fellow
Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law, The American Board of Bankruptcy Certification
Chambers USA, 2003-2024, Ranked in Florida (North and Central Florida) for Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Senior Statesman)
Daily Business Review, 2022 Florida Legal Awards, "Lifetime Achievement Award"
Super Lawyers Magazine, 2006-2022, Listed in Florida for Bankruptcy: Business
Best Lawyers, 1983-2018, 2020-2025, Listed in Florida for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2004-2010, 2019, Listed for Bankruptcy and Workout
Best Lawyers, 2015, 2025, Named as "Lawyer of the Year" in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law in Orlando
Best Lawyers, 2013, 2025, Named as "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation - Bankruptcy in Orlando
Best Lawyers, 2011, Listed as "Lawyer of the Year" for Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law in Orlando
Super Lawyers Magazine, 2006, Listed in "Top 100 Super Lawyers in Florida"
Orlando Business Journal, 2005, Selected "Best of the Bar" for Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights
Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association 2003, Professionalism Award
Orlando Business Journal, 2002, Selected "Best Bankruptcy Attorney in Orlando"
Orange County Bar Association, 1995, Professionalism Award
Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute, Board Member Emeritus
The Florida Bar Foundation, Fellow
Corporate Counsel, Recognized as "Top Lawyer" for Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
Martindale-Hubbel, AV Preeminent Rated

Jules S. Cohen

Notable Work

Published Work and Lectures

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Honors and Distinctions

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Education

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