Insolvency Explained: Bankruptcies, Assignments, Bulk Transfers, Receiverships, Probates, and Workouts

Sharon Beausoleil is a senior counsel in Foley Gardere’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice in Houston. She focuses her practice on complex bankruptcy matters and related bankruptcy litigation for clients in a wide range of industries, including aviation, chemical, energy, maritime and refining sectors. Her clients include secured and unsecured creditors, major contract parties, and parties interested in acquiring assets from distressed companies.

Prior to joining the firm, Sharon served as senior legal counsel in the global supply chain group for an international exploration and production company, where she handled procurement, transportation, and shipping matters for operations in the North Sea, West Africa, the Middle East and the United States.

Sharon also has prior law firm experience, where she was lead counsel for a major integrated energy company. She represented that company and its affiliates in various bankruptcy matters throughout the United States. She also was very involved in local and national professional groups, serving in various leadership roles. Sharon started her career as the law clerk to the Hon. Wesley Steen, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (retired).

Jeffrey Bast's practice focuses on bankruptcy and insolvency, emphasizing corporate reorganization, restructuring, creditors’ rights, workouts, and commercial litigation in several industries, including real estate, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, internet and technology, hotels, textiles, transportation, franchise operations, travel, aviation, manufacturing, and financial institutions.

Jeff also provides insolvency-related advice and has extensive experience with all aspects of bankruptcy litigation, appeals and legal opinions for complex transactions. He now represents corporate debtors, shareholders, trustees, receivers, indenture trustees and creditors’ committees, as well as financial institutions and other secured and unsecured creditors in complex workouts, reorganizations, and liquidations.

After law school, Jeff completed two bankruptcy judicial clerkships in Texas and Florida. He then practiced law in the restructuring groups at two international law firms, where he was elevated to equity partner. In 2008, Jeff left the big firm life to start his own practice. In 2009, he founded Bast Amron LLP with his partner Brett Amron. The firm is now widely recognized as one of South Florida’s top boutique firms delivering sophisticated advice to an array of clients with complex commercial disputes.

Jeff is a frequent speaker and writer both in the U.S. and abroad on topics related to insolvency. Jeff has been recognized by his peers and numerous publications for professional excellence including: Best Lawyers in America, Chambers and Partners, Martindale Hubble, South Florida Legal Guide and Florida Super Lawyers.