Philip Groben focuses his practice on bankruptcy and commercial litigation.  Phil represents a variety of clients in bankruptcy proceedings including debtors, creditors, trustees, and equity holders.  He works with his clients to create personalized recovery plans best suited to their needs including complex Chapter 11 restructurings, efficient Chapter 13 reorganizations, or streamlined Chapter 7 liquidations.  Phil has prosecuted and defended adversarial proceedings, and has successfully defended favorable rulings on appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.  Phil represents clients in non-bankruptcy dissolution proceedings and assignments for the benefits of creditors.

Phil has substantial commercial litigation experience in both state and federal courts.  Phil has prosecuted and defended breach of contract and other commercial matters, brought foreclosure proceedings on behalf of secured lenders, negotiated favorable workouts with secured lenders, and enforced the rights of judgment creditors and debtors.  Phil has sued to set aside illegally obtained trust and will amendments, and has defended civil forfeiture matters.

Phil served as a Co-Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Bankruptcy Committee, Phil organizes the group’s annual CLE seminar as well as monthly committee meetings and presentations on a variety of topics including non-discharge ability and domestic support issues.  He also served as the Vice Chair for the Chicago Bar Association’s Asset Protection Committee and is a regular speaker to industry groups including the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Phil served as a Judicial extern to the Honorable Bruce W. Black of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois and as an extern with the Office of the United States Trustee, Region 11.  Prior to starting his legal career, Phil worked with durable goods manufacturers to streamline global supply chains and reduce inventory costs.

 Recent Publications and Presentations:

Estopping the Madness: Personal-Injury Claims and Exemptions in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Cases; Panel Discussion at American Bankruptcy Institute 2021 Central States Bankruptcy Workshop.

Lien on Me: Steer Lenders Clear of Driftwood and Mahogany to Avoid Forfeiture; American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XL, No. 5, May 2021.

Discharge of Income Tax in Bankruptcy, A look at the exceptions;  NATP TAXPRO Journal, Volume 28, Issue 2, 2021.

Overview of Objections to Discharge; Presentation to Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Bankruptcy Committee November 6, 2018.