Luis Rivera
USA Guide 2023
Band 5 : Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Band 5
About
Provided by Luis Rivera
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Law
Banking and Finance
Litigation
Professional Memberships
The Florida Bar, Twentieth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee "C," 2018-2021
U.S. District Court, Bench Bar Fund Committee
Supreme Court of Florida, Mediator Qualifications and Discipline Review Board, 2021-2024
Lee County Bar Association, Law Week Committee, Blood Drive Chair
Southwest Florida Bankruptcy Professionals Association, Past-President
The Middle District of Florida Pro Se Bankruptcy Legal Assistance Clinic, Inc., Board of Directors
Bankruptcy Law Educational Series Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, District-Wide Steering Committee, Local Rules Committee
Hispanic Institute at Hodges University, Past-Chair of the Advisory Board
Lee County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, Past-Chair
Lee County Charter Review Committee, Former Member
Chamber of Southwest Florida Leadership Lee, 2010 Class
Experience
Luis Rivera helps clients navigate some of the most difficult situations faced by businesses, including complex business litigation, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and insolvency matters. A trusted advisor, Luis is one of only ten attorneys in Florida who is board certified in Business Bankruptcy Law and Consumer Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification and one of only two court-appointed fiduciaries who administers Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases in Southwest Florida.
Among his peers, Luis is known for his deep industry knowledge and established relationships within Florida courts. He is praised by clients for his thorough understanding of complex financial matters and his ability to simplify the complicated bankruptcy process and creditors’ rights. Luis’ bankruptcy experience includes representation of lenders, individuals, and financial institutions in both consumer (Chapter 7 and 13) and Chapter 11 reorganization cases, as well as involuntary and discharge proceedings. He also has extensive experience in a variety of business and general civil litigation matters, including contract disputes, real property litigation, mortgage foreclosure, landlord/tenant disputes, and title insurance litigation.
In addition to his work with clients, Luis also uses his financial and legal experience throughout his community and has most recently been appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees.
Work Highlights
In re Eihab H. Tawfik, M.D. P.A. Appointed Chapter 11 trustee in case involving alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud by Debtor that owned and operated five medical clinics.
Represented Lee County (Florida) in its successful prosecution of a $4.5 million claim against The Hertz Corporation in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware regarding an Incentive Award Agreement entered into by Hertz and Lee County when Hertz relocated to the County.
Brokered a swift and consensual resolution following 13 years of complex commercial litigation involving insurance coverage and first- and third-party bad faith insurance claims, which provided for a seven-figure distribution to unsecured creditors of the Chapter 7 estate of Edward Murawski.
Education
Washington and Lee University School of Law
J.D.
2005
Loyola University
B.A.
2001
Awards
AV Preeminent® rated
Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyer, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2021-2023
Best Lawyers in America
Super Lawyer, 2009-2022
Florida Super Lawyers
Legal Elite, Bankruptcy and Workout, 2020-2021
Florida Trend
Top Lawyers, 2019-2023
Naples Illustrated
40 Under 40
American Bankruptcy Institute
2017