Ryan Kelley

Ryan Kelley provides legal counsel to public and private companies regarding debt and equity financings, commercial transactions, and bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters.

Ryan represents both lenders and borrowers in construction, acquisition, new markets tax credits, and term and working capital financing transactions. His transactional experience also includes commercial matters, including representing franchisors and franchisees in franchise matters, manufacturers in dealer and distributorship arrangements, and buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions.

In addition, Ryan advises clients on issues arising at all stages of distressed situations, insolvency, and bankruptcy. He regularly represents secured creditors, trade creditors, landlords, sellers, acquirers of distressed assets and entities, and other interest holders in workouts and restructurings, liquidations, and collection actions.

Ryan also advises clients on the use of cash collateral, adequate protection of interests in collateral, relief from the automatic stay, claims allowance, as well as the defense of fraudulent and preferential transfer actions. He has successfully handled bankruptcy litigation, including appeals, and transactional matters, such as distressed asset sales.

Although Ryan’s clients represent a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, retail, food and beverage, and franchising, Ryan has significant experience in the energy and financial services industries.

In the financial services space, Ryan works with a diverse group of clients, including national banks, local community banks, mortgage loan servicers, and commercial credit card issuers, on matters ranging from structuring and documenting financial transactions and assessing and minimizing insolvency-related risks, to devising bankruptcy exit strategies and defending against claims brought by customers and bankruptcy trustees.

Prior to joining Pierce Atwood, Ryan clerked for the Honorable John C. Cook, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and previously for the Honorable John S. Dalis, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Georgia.