William S. Brody provides legal and strategic advice to financial institutions, lenders, creditors, hedge funds, purchasers, and investors in the documentation, structuring and recovery of loans, securitizations and other types of financing and strategic investments. Mr. Brody’s particular approach to addressing difficult and troubled credit situations and corporate restructurings is to provide creative, pragmatic and cost effective alternatives and solutions to maximize his clients’ recoveries and investments.

During his many years of experience in bankruptcy and distressed debt situations, Mr. Brody has developed extensive experience in debtor-in-possession financing, bankruptcy protection, loan workout and negotiations, and collateral recovery and asset acquisitions through sale and purchase transactions, real estate and Article 9 foreclosure sales, and special purpose vehicles. Mr. Brody’s practice has involved a wide array of asset based financing and corporate transactions, including film production and entertainment, retail, manufacturing and distribution, international trade, floor planning, bank acquisitions, and real estate.

Mr. Brody chartered the chapter 11 financing and exit strategy for the agents and syndicate lenders in Tri Valley Growers ($450 million) and Tower Records ($100 million).

Mr. Brody has served as lead counsel for lenders and creditors in numerous other bankruptcy matters including:

• Film production (The Incredible Hulk)

• Interstate trucking (Nationway Transport)

• Pharmaceutical distribution (MedNet Pharmaceuticals)

• Apparel manufacturing (Converse Shoes)

• Apparel retail (Strouds, Factory 2 U, Kmart)

• Credit card financing (The Credit Store)

• Rental car agencies (Rent 4 Less)

• Furniture manufacturing (American Molding and Millworks)

• Literary publishing (Intervisual Books)

• Motor vehicle dealerships (Nationwide Auction Systems)

Mr. Brody is a routine lecturer at the Commercial Finance Association’s annual financial workout and bankruptcy seminars, as well as a frequent speaker at presentations before trade organizations and bar associations. Mr. Brody is a member of the California State Bar, and has represented clients in matters throughout the United States, including Delaware, New York, New Jersey, South Dakota, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington. Prior to his law career, Mr. Brody worked as a banker at Far West Savings and Loan.

Mr. Brody has been selected as one of Southern California’s Super Lawyers twelve times from 2006 to 2021, and was also selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer, Corporate Counsel Edition from 2009 to 2010. Mr. Brody was also recognized in the Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law for 2023 & 2024.

Bar Admissions

• California

Education

• University of San Diego School of Law
• University of California, Los Angeles

• Buchalter COVID-19 Client Alert: San Francisco Moves to Lowest COVID Tier in California, Begins Process of Reopening Non-Essential Offices; Other Bay Area Counties Slower to Follow

  By William S. Brody |November 2020