Gregg M. Ficks - Coblentz Law

Gregg Ficks leads the firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. He has a nationwide bankruptcy and restructuring practice focused on representing landlords, real estate developers, technology companies, manufacturers, aircraft lessors, lenders, suppliers, and various other secured and unsecured creditors, both inside and outside of bankruptcy court. Gregg represents parties seeking to buy commercial real estate and other assets of troubled companies in bankruptcy court. He also advises credit card processors on debtor-creditor and creditor lien matters. No matter what the case, Gregg works to offer practical business solutions to his clients, and stands ready to litigate when appropriate.

Gregg also devotes a significant portion of his practice to commercial litigation, landlord-tenant litigation, and ADA matters outside of the bankruptcy arena. Gregg’s litigation practice focuses on representing commercial landlords in lease and guaranty enforcement, unlawful detainer, and other landlord-tenant and real property disputes; defending businesses, commercial real property owners, and hotels in Americans with Disabilities Act litigation, including web accessibility litigation; defending businesses in fraudulent transfer, preference, and other debtor-creditor litigation; and contract and lease litigation for hotels/hotel management companies. Gregg has prosecuted and defended several commercial and fraud trials through successful verdict.

Gregg’s clients conduct business in a wide range of industries including real estate, technology, hospitality, food and beverage, airline, and commercial lending.

Gregg is former Chair of the Bar Association of San Francisco Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section. He is a former Director of the Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum, and served two terms as Chair of the Alameda County Bar Association Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section. Gregg is a former Board Member of the Alameda County Bar Association, and formerly was Chair of the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California.

Gregg served two terms as Chair of the Business Leadership Council of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco.

Gregg was Judicial Law Clerk to United States Bankruptcy Judge Edward D. Jellen (Ret.) in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California, from 1990 to 1992. Gregg earned his J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall). At UC Davis, Gregg was a student of former United States Bankruptcy Judge Jack Ayer, who mentored Gregg and influenced his career path.

Gregg is annually listed as a Super Lawyer in Northern California and is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy categories.

“Beyond Assumption and Rejection: Advanced Issues in Landlord-Tenant Bankruptcies,” Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum (2020)

“Local Roots, National Reach: Having a California-Based National Practice,” California Bankruptcy Forum Annual Insolvency Conference (2018)

“What’s Old is New Again: Adaptive Reuse of Historic and Unique Properties,” (ADA Speaker), American Bar Association Spring Real Property Symposium (2016)

“Don’t Take it PERS-onally: Chapter 9 Municipal Bankruptcy as a Game Changer,” Bar Association of San Francisco (2013)

“Operations Best Practices – Rent and Debt Collection,” 2010 Management and Leasing Best Practices Roundtable (2010)

“Landlords, Are You Claiming Your Attorney Fees in Bankruptcy Cases?,” California Real Estate Journal (July 16, 2007)

“Commercial Bankruptcy Provisions of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act,” San Francisco Bank Attorneys Association (2006)

“Cutting to the Chase: Dismissing Chapter 11 Cases for Lack of Good Faith at the Outset of the Cases,” Pratt’s Journal of Bankruptcy Law (December, 2005)

“Bankruptcy Law Alters Rules For Business, Not Just Consumers,” East Bay Business Times (November 25, 2005)

“Retro Rejection, Actions Speak Louder Than Words When Landlords Come Before The Bankruptcy Court,” Commercial Investment Real Estate – The Magazine of the CCIM Institute (May/June 2005)

“Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Litigation,” Bar Association of San Francisco (2005)