Laurence M. Smith

• Representing a client in acquiring luxury brand auto dealers through the purchase of secured debt issued by the dealers and, thereafter, the acquisition of their assets through an Article 9 sale, following the dismissal of a bankruptcy proceeding which had been filed to block the Article 9 sale
• Representing a Minnesota investment fund in acquiring a controlling stake in a delisted company in the educational text book industry through the conversion of debt to senior preferred equity
• Representing a manufacturing company in the auto parts industry in purchasing through an Article 9 sale substantially all of the assets of its primary domestic U.S. competitor
• Representing a client in challenging an auto manufacturer’s improper exercise of a right of first refusal in order to block the client’s purchase of an automobile dealership
• Representing a plastics manufacturer in the attempted purchase through an Article 9 sale of the assets of a North Carolina manufacturing company and, following the commencement of an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding against the target, the purchase of its secured debt and the acquisition of its assets by credit bidding in a Section 363 sale
• Representing the agent in a syndicated credit facility to a business development company, the primary collateral for which was the BDC’s loan assets
• Representing a manufacturer of nail enamel in its corporate restructuring to facilitate the acquisition of a controlling equity stake in a competitor and, following a stockholder dispute, the purchase of the secured debt and acquisition of the assets of the competitor in an Article 9 sale
• Representing a client in the purchase and financing of three automobile dealerships and the related real estate in an upscale New Jersey community
• Representing a company in transferring control to the holders of its second lien debt, through a reverse triangular merger in which the debt holders acquired an indirect majority interest in the company by converting debt to equity
• Representing the former majority stockholder of a public company in enforcing the promissory note and stock pledge that had been issued to him in connection with the company’s “going private” transaction. The battle to enforce the client’s rights culminated in obtaining the dismissal of a bankruptcy proceeding that had been filed in bad faith and a judgment by an equity court mandating the turn over of the pledged stock and control of the company to the client
• Representing a client in acquiring through Article 9 sales substantially all of the assets of manufacturing companies based in California and Nevada

• Chambers USA, New Jersey Corporate/M&A (2013-2022)
• The Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law; Corporate Law (2008-2023)
• Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine, Top Lawyers, Corporate Finance; Mergers and Acquisitions (2020)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Rating

Award Methodology

• National Association of Dealer Counsel
• American Bar Association, Business Section
• Essex County Bar Association
• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Association for Corporate Growth - NJ Chapter