Pacific Northwest Bankruptcy and Franchise Attorneys

BANKRUPTCY & FINANCIAL DISTRESS

We do workouts for individuals and businesses. We help clients file bankruptcy petitions and state court receiverships. We litigate matters in Bankruptcy Court and other forums.

We find practical solutions for financially distressed individuals and businesses. We take the time to review your situation and make sure you understand your options, and then work with you to create a solution tailored to you and your circumstances. Many businesses go through times where cash flow becomes tight, and the business falls behind in payments to its lenders, lessors, trade creditors, or taxing authorities. Having an attorney that understands debtor's rights, the rights of the creditors as they relate to the debtor and each other, and the ability to lead a debtor and a group of creditors to solutions that work for everyone, can make all the difference in a successful workout, restructure, or bankruptcy.

Contact us today. Let's discuss your options!

Wenokur Riordan PLLC is a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

CREDITOR'S RIGHTS

We represent creditors in connection with bankruptcy and other insolvency situations. We bring and defend motions, adversary proceedings, and other litigation on behalf of creditors in Bankruptcy Court and in State Court receiverships. We also represent a number of Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees.

It can be a challenge to obtain an acceptable outcome when the person or business who owes you money cannot pay. A bankruptcy filing or receivership further complicates collection options. We regularly work with creditors to assess costs and risks associated with collection and litigation and determine an appropriate path. We assist creditors in identifying and pursuing a debtor's assets and maximizing claims, including bringing claims associated with fraudulent transfers, hidden assets, and other inappropriate behavior. And if you happen to be on the receiving end of a clawback or transfer claim brought against you by a bankruptcy trustee, we will work with you on an appropriate defense.

FRanchising / business

We help franchisees with all aspects of buying, selling and developing units, leasing space, borrowing money, leasing equipment, making improvements, handling insurance matters, renewing franchise agreements and advising generally on all aspects of their business. We represent franchisees with dozens of locations, and many with units in more than one concept. Some representative franchise systems are: Taco Bell, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, PIP Printing, Arby's, Carl's Jr, Hardee's, Jiffy Lube, Massage Envy, Fantastic Sam's and many others.

We understand the unique nature of running a franchised business. We understand what issues matter to franchisors, bankers and landlords and how to help the franchise owner navigate these competing priorities and even use them to advantage. Our clients appreciate that we often know their bankers and key people at their franchisor's corporate office. We learn about franchised businesses every day and bring new ideas and solutions to each franchisee's business.

Franchisors are using more and more area developers to expand. Also called sub-franchisors, and master franchisors, this arrangement is becoming more and more widespread. Having an attorney familiar with this type of arrangement review the agreement and negotiate on your behalf is crucial. Many points in the agreement have far-reaching implications. It is very important to understand what is in the agreement, and more important to understand what is not in the agreement (and should be). The firm has a great deal of experience in this area, and can help you negotiate the agreement, side agreements, territory and terms.

For those purchasing a franchise for the first time, we offer flat fee review, consultation and negotiation with respect to the FDD and franchise agreement itself, as well as a full menu of flat fee arrangements for lease review and negotiation, asset purchase agreements for existing sites, partnership agreements, review and negotiation of loan documents, drafting loan documents for friends and family lending and corporate formation. You will know the cost before we start, not when you get the bill.

CONTACT

WENOKUR RIORDAN PLLC
600 Stewart Street, Suite 1300 (Map)
Seattle, WA 98101
206-724-0846

ALAN WENOKUR

alan@wrlawgroup.com
206-682-6224

Alan Wenokur has been a Seattle attorney since 1983, with a practice emphasizing bankruptcy. Alan represents debtors and creditors in bankruptcy cases, workouts, and bankuptcy litigation. His clients also include a number of Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees. He frequently represents parties in complex cases, including asset disputes, financial fraud claims, and bankruptcy discharge litigation.

Alan is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale Hubble. He is a member of the Washington State Bar creditor/debtor section, the US Bankruptcy Court’s local rules committee, and the American Bankruptcy Institute. He regularly serves as a mediator on bankruptcy matters as part of the Hon. Thomas T. Glover mediation program.

Alan's peers have rated him a bankruptcy "Super Lawyer" annually since 2012. Alan speaks frequently at professional seminars, particularly on the role and responsibilities of attorneys representing debtors in Chapter 7 cases. He has volunteered his services with the King County Bar Association’s Debt Clinic for over 20 years.

Alan received his B.A. at the University of Michigan in 1979, and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan School of Law in 1983.

NATE RIORDAN

nate@wrlawgroup.com
206 903 0401

Nate Riordan received a B.A. with honors from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1992 and graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1998. Nate practiced law in Minneapolis until 2004, where he practiced in the areas of corporate bankruptcy, workouts, restructures, finance, franchise and corporate and transactional law. In 2004, Nate moved to Seattle and has practiced there ever since.

Nate practices in the areas of:

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Representation
Commercial and Consumer Bankruptcy
Transactional/Mergers & Acquisitions
Corporate/Partnership
Commercial Leasing / Sale-Leaseback
Franchise Representation
Master Franchisor / Area Developer Representation
Debt Restructure / Workout
Finance

CAT RENY

cat@wrlawgroup.com
206-492-7084

Cat practices primarily in the bankruptcy law arena, representing individual consumers and small businesses. She also assists individuals and businesses in debt defense and workouts.

Cat Reny earned her B.A. with honors at Loyola University-New Orleans in 1993, and graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2009.

Cat provides pro bono representation of clients through the King County Bar Association's Volunteer Legal Services program, and volunteers regularly at KCBA's Debt Clinic in Seattle.

Doug OWENS

doug@wrlawgroup.com
206-903-0401

Doug received a BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968, and a JD from the University of Michigan at 1971. Doug has worked at the State of Washington Attorney General, the law firm of Helsell Fetterman, the law firm Todd, Martin and Hokanson and US West. Doug started his own firm in 1997 and became of counsel to Riordan Law in 2015.

Doug counsels and represents clients in various matters relating to real estate, including leases, financing agreements, transactional events and dispute resolution, and also provides representation in general corporate and business matters.