Matthew A. Salerno
Associate
At a Glance

Matt’s practice focuses on corporate restructuring, bankruptcy and related matters.  He represents parties in corporate reorganizations and workouts; state-related insolvency proceedings; complex Chapter 11 proceedings and various other commercial matters. Matt works with debtors, creditors’ committees and trustees in bankruptcies; sellers and buyers in distressed business dispositions and acquisitions; and businesses in commercial matters.  His representations include businesses in diverse industries including real estate; manufacturing and automotive.  Matt has been recognized as one of “Cleveland’s Finest Young Professionals” and as an “Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star”.

Practices/Industries
Business
Corporate Restructuring & Creditors' Rights
Mergers & Acquisitions

Financial Services
Corporate Restructuring & Creditors' Rights

Areas of Concentration
  • Bankruptcy  Reorganization 
  • Out of Court Restructuring
  • Creditors' Rights
  • Bankruptcy Trustee Representation 
  • Receivership
  • Distressed Mergers and Acquisitions
Education
The Ohio State University (B.A., with honors, 1996)

Case Western Reserve University School of Law (J.D., 1999)
Representative Experience

Manufacturing Representation

  • Representation of a Cleveland-based Tier 1 automotive parts manufacturer with more than $80 million in annual revenue.
  • Representation of a steel bar manufacturer with more than $1 billion of annual revenue. Guided company through sale of its operating assets and wind-down of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy estate.
  • Representation of a West Virginia-based Tier 1 automotive parts manufacturer with annual sales of approximately $90 million.
  • Representation of an Ohio-based family owned ceramic tile manufacturer. Guided company through Chapter 11 reorganization.
  • Representation of a court-appointed Receiver for the assets of an Ohio-based manufacturing and welding company. Represented receiver with respect to business maintenance, asset sale and other operational and legal matters.
  • Representation of Creditors’ Committee in Chapter 11 proceedings of automotive maintenance and repair company.
  • Representation of a Minnesota-based manufacturer of private-label hair and beauty products. Guided company’s board through after effects of multi-year fraud and Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
  • Representation of a manufacturer of household products in various commercial matters.
  • Representation of Receiver appointed to operate business and administer assets for the benefit of creditors of an Ohio-based company specializing in the production and repair of railroad track and machinery.

Real Estate Representation

  • Representation of real estate development company with respect to various commercial matters.
  • Representation of Chapter 11 Trustee appointed to administer assets of a real estate management and development company for the benefit of creditors. Assisted trustee in administration of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, asset dispositions, and claims resolution.
  • Representation of secured creditor in real estate company’s bankruptcy proceeding.
  • Representation of landlord in commercial tenant’s bankruptcy proceedings.

Other Representation

  • Representation of accounts receivable management services companies with annual revenue of approximately $175 million. Guided companies through sale of their assets and administration of their Chapter 11 bankruptcies.
  • Representation of secured lenders in connection with various workout matters.
  • Representation as special counsel to Chapter 11 Trustee, engaged to facilitate the disposition of business assets of a mid-Ohio company.
  • Representation of landlord in Musicland Holding Corp. Chapter 11 proceedings.

 

 

Honors/Distinctions
Named an "Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star" in a survey of Ohio lawyers by Law & Politics and Cincinnati magazines (July 2006)

Hawken School Difference Maker (2004)

Cleveland’s Finest Young Professionals (2001)
Publications/Presentations
Publications
“Receivership Provides Alternatives to Bankruptcy,” Midwest in-House Weekly, Second Quarter 2005

“A Different Approach… Receivership Provides a Viable Alternative to Bankruptcy,” ABF Journal, September 2005

Various articles in Cleveland Bar Journal and the Ohio State Bar Association’s “Law You Can Use” Consumer Information Column
Professional Affiliations
Ohio State Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Case Western Reserve University School of Law Adjunct Professor

Turnaround Management Association

Commercial Finance Association
Community Involvement
Economics America (Member, Cleveland Center Board of Trustees)

Hawken School Alumni Board (Member)

Junior Achievement of Ohio (Volunteer Instructor)

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Admissions
State of Ohio
State of Indiana
Supreme Court of Ohio
Supreme Court of Indiana
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan