About
Leanne has more than 20 years of bankruptcy experience. Her debtor’s counsel experience includes the Chapter 11 cases of Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., and 23 of its affiliates, which restructured more than $2 billion of debt. She has represented debtors, creditors and trustees in a broad range of Chapter 11, Chapter 7 and Chapter 12 litigation, including automatic stay, cash collateral, confirmation and dischargeability issues, claims objections, the enforcement of the permanent injunction and prosecuting and defending fraudulent transfer and preference actions.
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Leanne also has significant experience in commercial and insolvency litigation and appeals, E-discovery, mediation, receiverships, foreclosures, assignments for the benefit of creditors and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act litigation.
Leanne represents large and small businesses, banks, creditors, debtors, trustees, receivers and assignees at the trial and appellate levels in state courts throughout Florida and in federal courts throughout the country.
Prior to Pierson Ferdinand, Leanne was a partner at FisherBroyles, LLP. Prior to that, she practiced with a venerated Florida firm with an established reputation as a go-to firm for bet-the-company litigation, serving national, international and Fortune 500 clients. She collaborates with clients to develop effective strategies to successfully and efficiently manage litigation and resolve legal challenges.
Practices
Bankruptcy, Financial Restructuring, and Reorganization
Commercial Litigation
Cyber-Risk, Privacy, and Data Security
Civil Pretrial and Trial Services
Litigation and Risk Management
Admissions
Florida
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
Education
University of Florida; J.D., with honors, 1995
University of North Florida; B.A. magna cum laude, 1992
Certified E-Discovery Specialist by the Association for Certified E-Discovery Specialists
Professional Associations
International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation: Secretary, IWIRC – Florida Network, February 2016 – Present
American Bankruptcy Institute
Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists
Women in E-Discovery
Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association
Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association
Jacksonville Bar Association
Honors and Awards
Women’s Center of Jacksonville Unsung Shero – 2016
IWIRC Leadership Summit Delegate – 2016, 2015, 2014
Experience
FisherBroyles, LLP
Smith Hulsey & Busey
Representative Litigation Experience
Defended The Charter Company from CERCLA, mesothelioma and benzene claims based upon contaminations and exposures which predated Charter’s 1984 bankruptcy but which did not manifest in injuries until the 2000s, including winning summary judgment holding such claims were discharged in Charter’s bankruptcy and that publication notice effected due process
Managed personal injury, property damage, premises liability, employment and landlord claims in the Chapter 11 cases of Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and 23 affiliates, which restructured more than $2 billion in liabilities
Designed, obtained court approval of and supervised a claims resolution procedure requiring in-person mediation of over 3,800 personal injury, property damage, premises liability and employment claims asserting liabilities in excess of $250 million
Litigated and won claims objections based upon the novel argument that the filing of proofs of claims in bankruptcy did not satisfy the state statute of limitations applicable to the underlying causes of action
Favorably resolved thousands of claims through negotiation, mediation, objection and litigation
Used e-discovery to find smoking gun evidence proving bad faith
Part of the team which, on behalf of Wilmington Trust, challenged the priorities of 354 mechanic liens asserted against approximately $100 million of proceeds from the sale of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas to Carl Icahn
Participated in a three-week jury trial on behalf of Citibank asserting fraud and apparent agency claims and in the defendant’s appeal of the verdict
Prevailed in the trial and appeal of unjust enrichment claims
Obtained quiet title judgments declaring restrictive covenants on commercial real estate unenforceable
Foreclosed on and secured the return of tractor-trailers
Participated in the prosecution and mediated resolution of a will contest in an estate exceeding $100 million
Defended a Fortune 500 company in a $45 million fraudulent transfer action
Presentations and Teaching Experience
E-Discovery in Bankruptcy, Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association Annual Seminar, August 2015
Supreme Court Review and Recent Case Law Update, ABI 41st Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar, February 4, 2017
Bankruptcy Battle Royale: Lift Stay Battles, Financial Poise webinar, April 4, 2017