Earl M. Forte

Earl M. Forte has more than thirty years of experience handling commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters, financial restructuring and other insolvency matters for a wide variety of clients in both federal and state courts, as well as in commercial arbitrations. He represents creditors, corporate debtors, banks, unsecured creditors’ committees, directors and officers, individuals, insurance companies, chapter 7 trustees, and distressed asset buyers in all aspects of bankruptcy cases, with a special focus on the unique legal issues that arise in bankruptcy litigation, financial restructuring, and other insolvency proceedings. Earl is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group.

Earl has extensive knowledge and experience handling business problems and disputes in a variety of forums, most notably in the nation’s federal district and bankruptcy courts in both Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases, and also in proceedings under various state corporate dissolution and receivership statutes. His background also includes handling director and officer liability and corporate control matters. Earl closely studies his clients’ industries and particular business areas, working closely with corporate and other transactional counsel to develop an in-depth analysis and understanding of each client’s problem and business objectives.

Earl is skilled at taking matters from initial investigation and discovery through trial, arbitration, and appeal. He has counseled many clients through challenging financial difficulties, helping them achieve their desired outcomes either promptly through a structured settlement or by aggressive pursuing or defense in litigation or arbitration if necessary. Earl is known as a staunch advocate for his clients, who come from a variety of markets and industries, providing his wealth of experience and advice both in court and in settlement negotiations to help resolve difficult business and financial problems in a creative, efficient and expeditious manner.

Earl’s accumulated knowledge of asset recovery and asset protection resulted in the recent publication of his first book, The Fraudulent Transfer Handbook, a lawyer’s guide to the basic legal concepts and practicalities of fraudulent transfer litigation, designed for both plaintiffs and defendants; supplements to that book that address more recent issues, including the impact of the new Voidable Transactions Act, were published in subsequent years and the book was retitled The Voidable Transactions Handbook. In 2019, Earl authored The Pennsylvania Voidable Transactions Act – A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Clients. Earl has been recognized for his expertise in business restructuring, bankruptcy, and financial services matters by Smart CEO magazine.