Joseph S.U. Bodoff
With more than four decades of experience, Joe is a trusted advisor to businesses and individuals navigating bankruptcy, insolvency, creditors’ rights, and complex commercial disputes.
His practice spans the full range of restructuring and litigation issues that arise in financially distressed situations, including Chapter 11 reorganizations, out-of-court workouts, and asset sales.
Joe represents a diverse set of stakeholders—debtors, secured and trade creditors, landlords, equity holders, and asset purchasers—helping each client find practical and strategic solutions in high-stakes matters. His broad experience allows him to approach challenges from multiple perspectives, and his work has touched nearly every sector of the economy, including manufacturing, retail, finance, healthcare, real estate, agriculture, and technology.
Joe is also an experienced commercial litigator, with a focus on disputes that arise in insolvency contexts. He regularly handles actions involving preferences, fraudulent transfers, successor liability, personal guaranties, and complex contractual issues. No matter the case, Joe brings a steady, solutions-oriented approach that helps clients protect their interests and move forward with confidence.
Bankruptcy petition halts business sale and results in seven-figure recovery for creditors
Filed an involuntary bankruptcy petition to stop the sale of a business and pursued litigation against a bank to void a cross-collateralized corporate guaranty. The resulting settlement delivered a seven-figure recovery, providing unsecured creditors with a 50% return on their claims.
Discharge denied for debtor who reopened business under new name to avoid payment
Obtained denial of a bankruptcy discharge for a dentist who attempted to evade obligations to his largest creditors by restarting his practice under a different name.
Multi-million-dollar guaranty claim defeated based on lender misconduct
Successfully defended a client in a high-value guaranty lawsuit by presenting evidence that the lender had improperly interfered in the borrower’s business operations.
Chapter 11 strategy eliminates $9 million in personal guaranties
Designed and confirmed a Chapter 11 reorganization plan that required a major creditor to release the debtor’s principals from $9 million in personal guaranties on corporate debt.
Full recovery secured for unsecured creditors in Chapter 11 case
Achieved 100% repayment for unsecured creditors in the Chapter 11 reorganization of a manufacturing company in the telecommunications sector.
Favorable settlement reached in high-stakes pricing dispute
Served as lead counsel in a multi-million-dollar commercial lawsuit alleging overcharging under a supply agreement, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
Arbitration award obtained in standby letter of credit reimbursement dispute
Won a $500,000 judgment in arbitration on behalf of a client seeking reimbursement under an agreement related to collateral posted for a standby letter of credit.
Education
- JD, Villanova University School of Law, Editor Villanova Law Review, 1977
- BS, with distinction, Pennsylvania State University, 1974
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- US District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- US District Court for the District of Rhode Island
- US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Experience recognized
- Lawdragon 500, Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, 2025
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2008-2009, 2014-2025
- Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers, 2021-2025
Experience in practice
What Struggling Businesses Need to Know About The Small Business Reorganization Act
- Buying Businesses Out of Bankruptcy, USA 500 Clubs LLC (June 2025, Presenter)
- Creditors’ Committee Manual (Sixth Edition), American Bankruptcy Institute, (2015)
- American Bar Association, Business and Litigation Sections; Business Bankruptcy Committee
- Boston Bar Association, Bankruptcy, Litigation, Business Transactions, Financial Services and Health Law Sections
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Past Member Board of Directors and Executive Committee; Past Co-chair, Unsecured Trade Creditor Committee