Gregory F. Vizza

Biography

Gregory Vizza is a versatile attorney who handles matters that touch on all facets of financial transactions. Whether negotiating a secured financing or workout on behalf of a lender or borrower; guiding creditors, asset purchasers, and other interested parties through a reorganization process; or litigating avoidance, preference, or other matters in state or federal courts, Greg is a seasoned and multiskilled attorney. Greg has significant experience representing clients in connection with:

  • Restructurings, reorganizations, and workouts
  • Secured transactions, creditors’ rights, and intercreditor relationships
  • Asset-based financing and debtor-in-possession financing
  • Asset sales
  • Plan negotiations
  • Bankruptcy and consumer mortgage litigation

Greg’s clients include:

  • Banks, commercial finance companies, and other institutional lenders
  • Secured and unsecured creditors
  • Creditors’ committees
  • Asset purchasers
  • Chapter 15 foreign representatives
  • Liquidating trustees

Before joining Blank Rome, Greg served as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas M. Golden, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. While in law school, Greg served as a judicial intern in the Chambers of United States Magistrate Judge Timothy R. Rice. Greg also was a staff member of the Temple Law Review.

Outside the Firm

Greg is a member of the Board of Trustees of LaSalle Academy, an independent, non-Archdiocesan elementary school located in North Philadelphia, for children in grades 3 through 8 whose potential is limited by financial, social, academic, or emotional challenges, and whose parents desire, but cannot afford, a Catholic education.

Experience

Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Litigation

  • Qualtek Services, Inc., as counsel to Agent national bank under prepetition loan, $101 million post-petition DIP financing, and exit financing in chapter 11 cases of provider of infrastructure services and renewable energy solutions to telecommunications and power industries (Houston, TX).
  • Invacare Corporation, as counsel to Agent national bank under prepetition loan and $27 million post-petition DIP financing in the pre-packaged chapter 11 cases of manufacturer and distributer of medical products and its affiliates (Houston, TX).
  • Williams Industrial Services Group, as counsel to Agent national bank under prepetition loan and $12 million post-petition DIP financing in the chapter 11 cases of a provider of maintenance, construction, and specialty services to power plants and related power markets (Wilmington, DE).
  • Borden Dairy, as counsel to the administrative and collateral agent and senior secured lender under a $275 million unitranche credit facility in the Chapter 11 case of one of the nation's oldest and largest dairy companies (Wilmington, DE)
  • Central Grocers, Inc., as counsel to Agent national bank under prepetition syndicated loan and $205 million post-petition DIP financing in the retail cooperative’s and affiliated entities’ chapter 11 cases (Chicago, IL).
  • Avenue Stores, as counsel to the agent and DIP lender in the bankruptcy of a women's plus-size clothing retailer (Wilmington, DE).
  • Beauty Brands, LLC, as counsel to Agent national bank under prepetition loan and $9 million post-petition DIP financing in the beauty products retailer’s and affiliated entities’ chapter 11 cases (Wilmington, DE).
  • Francis Drilling Fluids, Ltd., as counsel to Agent national bank under $50 million prepetition loan and in connection with debtors’ use of cash collateral and subsequent sale of debtors’ assets under Bankruptcy Code § 363 in the oil and gas industry service provider’s and affiliated entities’ chapter 11 cases (Houston, TX).
  • Haggen Holdings, Inc., as counsel to Agent national bank under prepetition syndicated ABL loan and $215 million post-petition DIP financing for 168-store supermarket chain (Wilmington, DE).
  • USA Discounters, Inc., as counsel to Agent under $60 million secured facility (Wilmington, DE).
  • Edwin Watts, as counsel to Agent national bank in a $38 million debtor-in-possession financing and 363 sale (Wilmington, DE).
  • Daebo International Shipping, as counsel to foreign representative of Korean bulk product shipping line in its Chapter 15 case (New York, NY).
  • Beacon Power as counsel to the creditors’ committee of a green energy developer and manufacturer of flywheel technology for electricity grid operation (Wilmington, DE).
  • Clearwater Natural Resources, LP, as counsel to the creditors’ committee of an Appalachian coal enterprise (Lexington, KY).
  • An international manufacturer and producer of baked goods, as counsel in connection with various bankruptcy and bankruptcy litigation matters.
  • A national bank, counsel in restructuring of $25 million revolving credit facility and $10 million term loan.
  • A national bank, counsel in connection with public sale of Borrowers’ assets under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
  • A national bank, counsel in $50 million loan sale in energy industry.
  • A Pennsylvania utility provider, counsel in commercial and consumer bankruptcy matters.
  • A commercial landlord, counsel in various bankruptcy disputes concerning 363 sales, rent obligations, and assignment/rejection of leases.
  • Several national mortgage lenders, defended in a variety of consumer finance and predatory lending cases.

Financing

  • A mezzanine fund in connection with multiple debt and equity investments in transactions ranging from $20 million to $60 million, including in the manufacturing, marketing, human resources, engineering, video game, and consumer goods industries.
  • A national bank, as agent and lender, counsel in a $37 million revolving credit facility to a wholesale importer and distributer of food products.
  • A private credit fund, counsel in connection with $25 million of debt and equity investments in a staffing and human resources company.
  • A private equity firm, counsel in connection with its acquisition, recapitalization, and financing of a global provider of proprietary testing, certification and software products to the food and agriculture industries.
  • A national bank, as agent and lender, counsel in a $24.6 million revolving credit facility and $4.6 million term loan to finance real estate and working capital needs of distributor of seeds, plants and gardening supplies.
  • A leading provider of crane rentals and related services, counsel in connection with structuring, negotiating, and documenting a refinancing of its second-lien term loan credit facility.

News & Views

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Recognitions

  • 2015–2017, “Pennsylvania Rising Star” in Bankruptcy, listed in Super Lawyers®
  • 2015–2017, “New Jersey Rising Star” in Bankruptcy, listed in Super Lawyers®

Affiliations

Memberships

  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Temple University School of Law Alumni Association
  • Turnaround Management Association

Credentials

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court - New Jersey

Education

  • Villanova University, BA, cum laude
  • Temple University Beasley School of Law, JD, cum laude