Thomas J. Francella, Jr.

Member

Wilmington

(302) 295-2023

(302) 250-4495

Miami

(305) 704-5943

Thomas has practiced bankruptcy law for more than 16 years representing corporate debtors, trusts, plan administrators, creditors, and creditors’ committees in various Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and related federal and state court litigation matters. Thomas also represents corporate clients in complex civil litigation and commercial real estate matters.

Thomas has represented Chapter 11 debtors in numerous Chapter 11 cases, including: NNN 400 Capitol Center LLC (a high-rise office building), Gourmet Express Acquisition Fund, LLC (a national producer of frozen skillet meals), LSP Energy Limited Partnership (the owner/operator of a large gas-fired energy plant), Pipeline Data, Inc. (a credit and debit card payment processing company), Durable Manufacturing Company (a distributor of mechanical sealing products, including sheet gasket material and cut gaskets), Linden Ponds, Inc. (a continuing care retirement community), Southfield Office Building (a high-rise office building), and Monarch Landing, Inc. (a continuing care retirement community). 

Thomas has also advised creditors’ committees, creditors, trustees, landlords, and other parties in interest in various large Chapter 11 cases, including: Tidewater, Inc. (the owner and operator of one of the largest fleets of OSVs (Offshore Support Vessels)), TK Holdings, Inc. (a/k/a Takata) (the world’s largest producer of airbags for motor vehicles), Prestige Industries LLC (a large commercial laundry operator), Charming Charlie Holdings Inc. (a national fashion and accessory retailer), American Apparel Inc. (a national fashion retailer), and Southeastern Grocers, LLC (a/k/a Wynn Dixie) (a large supermarket chain located in the southeast).

Prior to joining Cozen O'Connor Thomas was a partner in the Wilmington office of a northeastern-based law firm. He was a member of the firm’s Business Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice.

Thomas earned his undergraduate degree from West Chester University and his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. 

Experience

News

Anti-Forum Shopping Bill Reintroduced: A Q&A with Cozen O’Connor's Thomas J. Francella, Jr., Marla S. Benedek, and Frederick E. Schmidt, Jr. [Law.com]

November 15, 2021

Thomas J. Francella, Jr., Marla S. Benedek, and Frederick E. Schmidt, Jr. discuss the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2021, also known as the 2021 Act, in a Q&A in the Texas Lawyer. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator John Cornyn reintroduced the Act in September 202l as an effort to restrict where a non-individual debtor is allowed to file for bankruptcy.

Cozen O’Connor Appointed to Oversee Creditors’ Committee for Warrior Golf Reorganization

April 03, 2019

Warrior filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 relief in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas Laredo Division to facilitate its reorganization. During this time, its custom golf business and nationwide portfolio of public courses remain open for business.

Education

  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1998
  • West Chester U. of Pennsylvania, B.S., 1992

Awards & Honors

Martindale Hubbell, AV Preeminent Peer Review

  • Florida
  • Delaware
  • U.S. District Court -- Delaware
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court -- Middle District of Florida

Delaware Bar Association, Member

Florida Bar Association, Member

American Bar Association, Member

American Bankruptcy Institute, Member

Delaware Bankruptcy Inn of Court, Member