Hamid R. Rafatjoo

Mr. Rafatjoo specializes in insolvency and corporate restructurings, either through an out-of-court workout process or through a bankruptcy filing. Mr. Rafatjoo has represented debtors, creditors' committees, trustees, and asset purchasers in reorganizations throughout the United States, with special emphasis on national retailers and restaurant chains, real estate developers, telecommunication and construction companies, as well as medical and life-sciences companies.

In 2007 and 2008, Mr. Rafatjoo was named a 'Super Lawyer' in a region-wide peer survey, a honor bestowed on only 5% of Southern California attorneys, and he holds an AV Peer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability. He is a graduate of the UC Irvine and received his J.D. from Loyola University School of Law.

Professional Affiliations

• Member, Orange County Bankruptcy Forum Board of Directors
• National board member, Iranian American Bar Association.
• Member, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California Long Range Planning Committee.

Publications

• Assistant editor, Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice.
• Contributing author, Wiley Bankruptcy Law Update (2002).

Representative Matters

• Roman Catholic diocese cases: Since 2004, Mr. Rafatjoo has been involved nationally in representing official creditors' committees representing the survivors of childhood sexual abuse, in the bankruptcy cases filed by Roman Catholic Dioceses of Spokane, Washington, Davenport, Iowa, and San Diego, California. Mr. Rafatjoo has also represented such victims in cases where the parties were able to reach a resolution out of court.
• Chapter 11 debtors: Mr. Rafatjoo represented Baldwin Builders/Baldwin Building Contractors, Medieval Times Entertainment, TransWorld Airlines, Homelife Furniture, and Crown Simplimatic Inc. in their chapter 11 cases. He has also represented hotel owners, real estate developers, retailers and manufacturers.
• Convenience store cases: Mr. Rafatjoo represented the creditors' committee in Caribbean Petroleum, the leading distributor of gasoline and petroleum products in Puerto Rico, with an interest in 211 retail service stations, 1,500 employees, and approximately $412 million in sales. Mr. Rafatjoo also represented the creditors' committee in the Duke & Long Convenience Holdings and Convenience USA bankruptcy cases, which collectively owned an operated over 500 locations across 10 states.