Douglas J Smillie

Douglas J Smillie

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 43 years

Litigation Lawyer at Allentown, PA
Practice Areas: Litigation, Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Debt Collection ... +7 more

Two City Center, 645 West Hamilton Street, Suite 800, Allentown, PA

About Douglas

Biography

Practice Areas

10

Practice Areas

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy 11%

Chapter 11 debtor, creditor and committee representation; secured creditor and lender representation; adversary proceedings; asset acquisition (section 363 sales); lender representation; insurance premium finance; pre-bankruptcy work outs; preference analysis and defense; fraudulent transfers; commercial leases, leases of personal property and non-residential real estate; stay relief; objection to discharge

44 years

11%
Communications and Media 11%

First Amendment; libel defense; media law issues; public access; open records; subpoenas; newspaper issues

28 years

11%
Debt Collection 11%

lender representation in consumer bankruptcy and work-out situations; foreclosure; replevin; creditor's rights; collateral recovery; loan enforcement; FDCPA; commercial colection and contract matters; confession of judgment; lease recovery; motor vehicle finance

44 years

11%
Litigation 11%

Commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes; non-competition agreements; trade secrets; breach of contract; employment matters; partnership disputes; business divorce; Uniform Commercial Code; lending; landlord/tenant; healthcare; limited liability companies; intellectual property rights; unfair trade practice claims; insurance coverage; collection and related litigation in the state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

44 years

11%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 300-350 per hour


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Licenses

Licensed in New Jersey for 41 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 1984

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 43 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 1982

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Douglas J Smillie

Two City Center, 645 West Hamilton Street, Suite 800, Allentown, PA, 18101

Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C.

645 West Hamilton St, Suite 800, Allentown, PA, 18101

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Douglas J Smillie's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (9) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | July 01, 2009 | Business

Glad Doug was on our side of the courtroom

Doug represented our newly formed company in a case that would determine its ability to continue existence. It was Doug's first litigation in Lehigh County Court and my first time in a courtroom. The contrast between Doug's performance and that of the plaintiff's Philadelphia attorney was astounding.... Doug was well prepared for each court appearance in a highly technical case and routinely caught opposing counsel off guard. He was articulate and professional in his questioning and won favor with the judge in the first few hours in the courtroom. Our victory in the case was documented in a nine page Court opinion that recounted Doug's successes in every facet of the case. Doug Smillie is a first class litigator.

Posted by anonymous | July 01, 2009 | Bankruptcy & Debt

Solid

I was referred to Doug by a counsel that I used in a bankruptcy proceeding. Worked with him for about 2 years on that issue. After that we worked on a OGM purchase. I would continue to use him except that I moved to a different state. In both situations Doug's advice was always right on, very profess...ional and prompt. I go nuts when I don't get a quick response, Doug always provided that. To summarize, everything that I worked with Doug on we succeded in either winning on the issue at hand or defeating the other party.

Posted by anonymous | July 01, 2009 | Bankruptcy & Debt

Outstanding Professional

As a creditor, I routinely work with Doug on both Bankruptcy, and Creditors' rights matters. He has a vast knowledge of the law, including the Bankruptcy Reform Act. Doug handles all cases expeditiously, and is always accessible. He is a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend him.

Posted by jim | July 01, 2009 | Discrimination

Chief Operating Officer

Doug handled an age discrimination case for us in a very competent and professional manner. Obviously we won the case or I would not be recommending him.

See All Client Reviews

Douglas J Smillie's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Douglas
John Brendan McCusker headshot
John McCusker

Litigation lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Doug since we were college and law school classmates. He is a terrific person and a first rate litigator. He is smart, principled and has terrific judgment. I have worked with Doug on matters and referred matters to him. The results have always been great including a difficult case that he took to trial wherein the jury awarded his client a verdict of approximately $1.5 million. Doug is an ethical and talented lawyer who I would recommend without any hesitation."

Joseph R Meiss headshot
Joseph Meiss

Commercial real estate lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Doug for the past eleven years. During that time, I have personally observed him zealously representing his clients with the upmost integrity and professionalism. Doug’s skill, knowledge and experience rival that of the top attorneys from large metropolitan firms."

Susan Antonioni Royster headshot
Susan Royster

Litigation lawyer | Aug 18

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I had the privilege of practicing with Doug for six years. Doug's wealth of experience gives him a strategic edge and allows him to offer practical solutions for his clients. During a trial where he successfully obtained a multimillion dollar award, I observed Doug's natural presence and confidence before both the court and jury. He aggressively advocates for his clients while maintaining a high level of professionalism, which has earned him the respect of judges, clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and the community."

Ryan G. Foley headshot
Ryan Foley

Litigation lawyer | Jun 10

Relationship: Other

"I've worked with Doug Smillie on commercial litigation and bankruptcy cases for close to a decade and believe him to be the most capable attorney I've ever worked with. Be it a simple bankruptcy claim dispute or a complex insurance case worth millions of dollars, Doug treat's each case the same with brilliant recognition of the issues and mastery of the facts. He brings "big" law firm experience to a smaller firm so clients can take advantage of his expertise at a better rate structure. I would (and have) recommend Doug to anyone looking for great lawyering in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or New York areas."

James Bowman Burns headshot
James Burns

Litigation lawyer | Apr 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Doug and I worked together for 10 years at a Philadelphia law firm where both of us were partners. He's very sharp, pays close attention to detail and is very sensitive to clients' needs and concerns. Doug and I jointly handled a number of very complex environmental and commercial litigation matters, which gave me many chances to see him at work -- in the office, in court, at depositions and in settlement negotiations. He's top-notch and I'm pleased to give him my highest recommendation."

View All Endorsements
John Brendan McCusker headshot
John McCusker

Litigation lawyer

Susan Ellis Wild headshot
Susan Wild

Litigation lawyer

Charles V. Curley headshot
Charles Curley

Employment and labor lawyer

Pauline K Morgan headshot
Pauline Morgan

Chapter 11 bankruptcy lawyer

Michelle E Shriro headshot
Michelle Shriro

Chapter 11 bankruptcy lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2019

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2018

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2017

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2016

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2015

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2014

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2013

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2012

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2011

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2010

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2009

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2008

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2006

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2005

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

2004

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, American Lawyer Media

1994

Who's Who in American Law, Marquis

1982

Rev. Ullman Award, Villanova University School of Law

1978

Pi Sigma Alpha, Muhlenberg College

N/A

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1996 - Present

Shareholder, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C.

1900 - Present

Shareholder, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C.

1982 - 1996

Partner, Clark, Ladner, Fortenbaugh & Young

Associations

2000 - Present

Turnaround Management Association

Member

1998 - Present

Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Member

1996 - Present

Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys

Member

1996 - Present

Lehigh County Bar Association group

Member

1996 - Present

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

1987 - Present

American Bankruptcy Institute

Member

1986 - Present

Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference

Member

1985 - Present

Commercial Law League of America

Member

1982 - Present

Philadelphia Bar Association

Member

1982 - Present

American Bar Association, Litigation Section

Member

2008 - 2016

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at Desales University

Member, Board of Directors

2007 - 2014

Lehigh Valley Zoological Association

Vice Chair of the Board

1980 - 1982

Villanova Law Review

Editor

Sample of Legal Cases

Jacoby v. Bethlehem Ford

Summary judgment entered in favor of client

Cerami v. First Star Bank

Judgment in favor of client

In re Szymanski

client prevailed in asserting garnishment claim

Penn Jersey Advance, Inc. v. Grim

Supreme Court upheld client's position

Viglione v. Easton Publishing Co.

Summary judgment entered in favor of clients

Ferraro v. Bell, 65 Northampton County Reporter 262 (Northampton County C.C.P. 2006)

Summary Judgment in favor of client

Kirkpatrick v, Easton Publishing Co.

Case dismissed

Reimiller v. Conseco Finance Consumer Discount Co.

Summary Judgment in favor of client

O'Connell v. County of Northampton, 79 F.Supp.2d 529

Summary judgment entered in favor of client

Cryogenic Consultants, Inc. v. Hessinger

Preliminary Injunction Denied

In re GEC industries, Inc.

Motion denied

In re Ludwig Honold Mfg. Co., 34 B.R. 645 (Bankr.E.D.Pa. 1983)

motion granted in part

United States v. Nicolet, Inc., 857 F.2d 202 (3d Cir. 1988)

Kiesel v. Lehigh Valley Eye Center, P.C., 52 Lehigh Law Journal 231 (December 6, 2006)

Summary Judgment in favor of client

Korn v. Kertesz

Summary Judgment entered in favor of clients

See More Legal Cases

Education

1982

Villanova University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1978

Muhlenberg College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2010

Your Legal Triage

Managing Shareholder Disputes

2005

National Business Institute

Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law and Procedure in Pennsylvania

2003

National Business Institute

Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law and Procedure in Pennsylvania

1995

Robert Morris Associates Advanced Lending Forum

Environmental Lender Liability Issues

1993

Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

The Interface of Bankruptcy and Divorce

1991

National Business Institute

Avoiding Environmental Liability in NJ

Publications

1997

The Legal Intelligencer Trustee is Proper Party to Pierce Corporate Veil

1997

The Legal Intelligencer Pa. Court Give Collateral estoppel Effect to Bankruptcy Court Order

1989

Temple Journal of Science, Technology and Environmental Law When Worlds Collide: The Effect of the Bankruptcy Stay on Environmental Clean-Up Litigation

1981

Villanova Law Review "Casenote"
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