Dennis Michael O'Dea

Dennis O’Dea is the principal of the SFS Law Group.  He received his undergraduate degree in government from the University Of Notre Dame and his JD, magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan.  He was an Associate Editor of the Michigan Law Review and admitted to the Order of the Coif.  He is admitted to practice before many courts.  Martindale Hubble has rated him as AV (preeminent) for many years.

 FAMILY LAW MATTERS

             Mr. O’Dea often represents clients involved in divorce, custody and other financial disputes over support, family assets, family business and other conflicts that arise within families. Family disputes over succession to family businesses, disruption in business governance due to divorce or death of key owners, bankruptcy and reorganization consequences of family conflict.  Divorce is often overshadowed by the financial burdens over support, equitable distribution of property, and disclosure of assets.

BUSINESS LITIGATION

             In his business litigation practice he has tried lender liability, defamation and commercial real estate cases to verdict. In non-jury cases, he has tried commercial contract disputes, business torts, trade secret, and other business disputes. In those matters that were resolved without trial, he represented an insurer seeking rescission of a D&O policy issued to AM International, real estate developers asserting Civil Rights claims, parties asserting fraud claims under the securities laws; and many commercial disputes that were set for trial before bankruptcy courts on their merits as adversary proceedings or contested matters.

              In No Hands. The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, the authors discussed Mr. O’Dea’s restructuring and eventual bankruptcy efforts on behalf of Schwinn including defensive strategies to preserve investment values.  In King Icahn, the author discussed Mr. O’Dea’s role in bring the Texaco-Pennzoil litigation to a resolution.

BANRUPTCY LITIGATION AND REORGANIZATION

            For over 25 years, Dennis O’Dea has litigated in bankruptcy courts throughout the country on behalf of creditors and other stakeholders involved in business reorganization cases and personal bankruptcy cases.  He has represented debtors in prosecuting Chapter 11 reorganization cases from commencement through confirmation.

Professional and community

            Mr. O’Dea is the current chair of the Business Law committee of the Mecklenburg Bar Associations.  He has served on the Continuing Legal Education committee of the Mecklenburg Bar for several years. He is a member of several bar associations and organizations including the North Carolina Bar Association, the American Bar Associations, The Bobbit Inn of Court.

            Mr. O’Dea is a past president of the Chicago Literary Club. He has served as an elder and session member of the Palisades Presbyterian Church.  He was a member of the development committee of the Levine Museum of the New South.

Recent Publications:

 Small Firm, Big Impact.  SFS Law Group Occasional Papers.  New Models of Practice for Small firms through Alliances, Arrangements and Cooperation.  Mecklenburg Bar Association, Solo and Small Firm Committee. 2014

Dissolution Litigation: Risks for Clients and Lawyers.  2015