DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fast-growing, DFW-based FBFK law firm is pleased to announce that Rachael L. Smiley, a bankruptcy and business reorganization specialist, and Carlisle A. Braun, a commercial litigation and transactional law expert, have joined the firm as shareholders.
Prior to FBFK, Smiley was an attorney at the Dallas-based Chapter 11 boutique firm of Ross & Smith, and Braun was a corporate law/general counsel shareholder at the Dallas-based firm of Scheef & Stone. Both are lauded attorneys with strong, varied legal backgrounds.
“We are thrilled to strengthen the FBFK team with such accomplished, client service-oriented attorneys,” says Founder/Shareholder Kyle Ferguson. “Rachael brings deep, complex bankruptcy experience and Carlisle is a corporate law veteran and commercial litigator – both of which add significant bench strength to our practices.”
Rachael L. Smiley
Smiley brings more than a decade of legal experience to FBFK, with expertise in all steps of the Chapter 11 reorganization process, including asset sales, plan confirmation, and post-confirmation plan administration. She has experience litigating a variety of disputes, including contested matters and adversary proceedings, that arise in or are related to bankruptcy cases, such as valuation disputes, claim objections and avoidance actions.
Smiley held several associate positions after graduating from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, including at the Dallas offices of Gardere Wynne Sewell, LLP (now Foley & Larder, LLP) and Stuzman, Bromberg, Esserman & Plifka, where she represented debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, trustees and committees in bankruptcy matters.
She also spent several years in the Office of Supply Chain Management at UT Southwestern Medical Center negotiating and drafting business agreements on behalf the University and its hospitals.
Smiley, recognized by The 2021 Best Lawyers in America© as “One to Watch” for insolvency and reorganization law, is a Member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Dallas Bar Association – Bankruptcy and Commercial Law section, a Global Executive Board Member of the Turnaround Management Association, and serves as Chair of the DFW network of IWIRC (International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation).
Carlisle A. Braun
Braun is a value-added business attorney who regularly serves as outside general counsel for midsize and small businesses, particularly in the real estate, franchising, and hospitality industries. He brings more than a decade of experience as a corporate counsel and commercial litigator, providing on-call legal counsel for a wide variety of business issues.
Prior to his time at Scheef & Stone, Braun served as General Counsel at restaurant industry giant Sun Holdings, where he oversaw all legal aspects for 1,000+ location franchise businesses. He also worked at The Suster Law Group as an Associate in commercial litigation and corporate matters and also as General Counsel for Southlake, Texas-based CAS, Inc.
Braun graduated from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, is a Member of the Dallas Bar Association – Business Law section, the Texas General Counsel Forum, and the ABA Forum on Franchising.
About FBFK
Founded in 2001, Dallas-based FBFK is entrepreneurial-minded, full-service business law firm with offices in Plano and Houston, Texas, as well as in Silicon Valley. Driven by a commitment to creating lasting client relationships grounded in high-quality representation and client service, FBFK represents clients nationwide in nearly 40 practice areas related to business structures and transactions, intellectual property protection and dispute resolution. www.fbfk.law.
Contacts
Melissa K. Flynn, APR
Melissa Flynn PR & Marketing
[email protected]
843.817.7653
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