Henry B. Merens
Henry Merens began with Adelman & Gettleman, Ltd. in February 1985, as the first attorney to join the Firm after its founding. Throughout his tenure with A&G, Henry has concentrated in the areas of bankruptcy, real estate, civil litigation and commercial transactions, and has had extensive experience in virtually all aspects of insolvency practice.
Henry has participated in numerous significant Chapter 11 cases, as counsel to debtors, creditors, creditors' committees, secured lenders, trustees and other constituents. As debtor's counsel, he has confirmed a number of Chapter 11 plans of reorganization and has successfully concluded multiple Chapter 11 liquidations involving going concern sales of various business enterprises.
Of particular note is the Chapter 11 case of the Lombard Public Facilities Corporation, filed in the Northern District of Illinois in July 2017. The debtor entity owned the Lombard Westin and related restaurants and amenities. The debtor entity successfully exited Chapter 11 in March 2018, after effectuating a long term restructuring of approximately 250 million dollars in bond debt and preserving several hundred jobs. Henry was thereafter awarded the 2018 Small Transaction Award from the Turnaround Management Association Midwest Chapter for the Lombard matter, and garnered a second award for this accomplishment from the M&A Advisor.
Henry takes great pride in having a sterling reputation built on integrity and acumen, trustworthiness and dependability, ingenuity and relentless dedication to his clients. He possesses the uncanny ability to discern whether a given situation calls for finesse, or a more heavy-handed approach, after accounting for the underlying dynamics in play and the personalities of the players. He is known for getting results and has gained the respect of his peers in court and at the bargaining table.
Henry has had several articles published in the fields of bankruptcy and commercial practice, and has participated as a featured speaker on several occasions at forums dealing with critical elements of bankruptcy and insolvency scenarios. He has been selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers multiple times.
Henry resides in Wilmette with his wife Teri, herself a pediatrician. He boasts three wonderful children, all in their twenties. Henry has taken an active role in charitable endeavors and community outreach; he still engages in age-defying workouts; and recently has added electric guitar to his musical repertoire.
Honors & Awards
- Illinois Super Lawyers, 2005 – 2006, 2009 – 2020
- Leading Lawyers since 2015
- Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rating – AV Preeminent
Publications & Presentations
"History Suggests Bankruptcy Is Untenable for Distressed IHEs" (co-author), Journal for Corporate Renewal, the official publication of the Turnaround Management Association, Vol. 28, No. 5 (June 2015).
"Burnside: A Clear and Present Danger to The Availability of Debtor Representation" (Co-Author), Bankruptcy Law Advisor, Norton, 1989.
"Law of Guaranty" (Co-Author), Secured Transactions Handbook, Illinois Institute of Continuing Education, 1988.
"Mortgage Liens in Bankruptcy" (Co-Author), Financing Real Estate Handbook, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1988.
"Private Cause Of Action Under Title IX: Cannon v. University Of Chicago", Vol. 20, Washington University Law School Urban Law Annual, Pgs. 273-286, 1980.
Presenter on Real Estate Issues in Bankruptcy, "Bankruptcy Forum: What Judges And Trustees Want You To Know," National Business Institute, April 2009.
