J Ellsworth Summers

Practice Areas

Financial Institutions

Financial Services

Financial Institution Disputes

Lender Liability

Commercial Contracts

Commercial & Corporate Finance

Commercial Litigation

Corporate Governance & Shareholder Disputes

UCC Litigation

Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Litigation

Consumer Finance Litigation & Compliance

Insurance

Insurance Litigation & Coverage

Mass Torts & Hazardous Substances

Mergers & Acquisitions

Career

Ellsworth Summers is a partner in the firm's Jacksonville office where he practices in the firm's Creditor's Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group.

His practice focuses on assisting lenders in commercial loan litigation in bankruptcy, federal and state courts. Ellsworth has extensive experience with workouts, business reorganizations and liquidations, distressed asset acquisitions, special counsel assignments and adversary proceedings. He has represented secured lenders, creditors’ committees, local governments, trustees, trade creditors, landlords, unsecured creditors, bondholders, homeowners’ associations, 363 asset purchasers and other stakeholders in a variety of business Chapter 11 cases.

Mr. Summers has significant trial experience in federal and state court as a commercial litigator. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, homeowner association disputes, tax disputes, contract litigation, receiverships, lender liability, commercial evictions, and other real-estate related litigation.

In his business practice, Ellsworth assists clients with purchasing and selling assets, and regularly advises on the impact of insolvency on complex financial transactions.

Mr. Summers has appeared before state and federal courts in 14 states, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Mr. Summers enjoys an AV-rating and has routinely been named to the Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Legal Elite, and Florida Best Lawyers lists.

Prior to private practice, Ellsworth clerked for the Honorable Stephen C. St. John, United State Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Professional Memberships

ABI Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop, Advisory Board Member (2012-present)

Bankruptcy Law Educational Series Foundation, Board Member (2013-2022)

Bankruptcy Middle District of Florida Steering Committee, Member (2013-2018)

Alexander L. Paskay Seminar on Bankruptcy Law and Practice, Advisory Board Member (2015-present)

Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association, Board Member (2007-2020)

Florida Bar Association

Virginia Bar Association

American Bankruptcy Institute

Personal

First Coast Women's Services, Board Member and General Counsel (2005-present)

Ursula Landsrath Animal Rescue Fund, Inc. (an animal rescue 501(c)(3) based in Delaplane, Va), Board Member and General Counsel (2019-present)

Education

Awards