Patrick J. Keating
Of Counsel | Akron
Assistant | Melisa Parker : [email protected]
About Patrick:
As a creditors’ rights and bankruptcy attorney, my practice focuses on representing businesses and entrepreneurs who are involved in commercial and credit disputes. In addition to helping purchasers of troubled companies, I assist debtors, creditors, trustees and receivers with bankruptcy and litigation disputes in federal and state courts.
Due to the insight I have gained from representing both debtors and creditors, I am often able to predict how the various players involved in a financial crisis might react, and the courses of action they might pursue. This experience and knowledge helps me to assist my clients through even the most complex financial issues. However, I encourage clients to consult with me at the first hint of a financial crisis or credit problem so as to avoid a protracted dispute.
Whether maximizing the recovery for creditors, or minimizing the pain for debtors, my goal is at all times to get the best result for my clients.
- Represents debtors, creditors, trustees and committees in cases under Chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, as well as in non-bankruptcy arena
- Represents financial institutions and other parties in complex litigation
- Joined the firm as an associate attorney in 1985; elected as partner in 1990
- Served as president and CEO of the firm (2008-2009)
- Served as managing partner of the firm’s Akron office (2004-2008)
- Vice president of the firm’s board of managers (1997-2003; 2004 -2006)
- Past co-chair of the Litigation Practice Group
- Past vice president and treasurer of the law firm’s board of managers
- Prior to joining Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC, Mr. Keating served as law clerk to the Honorable Harold F. White, United States Bankruptcy Judge, Northern District of Ohio
- The University of Akron School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1983)
- Kent State University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1978)
Admissions
- Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (1997-2025)
- Named Best Lawyers in America® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in the Akron area for Bankruptcy Litigation (2015)
- Received special recognition for being listed as a Best Lawyers in America® for 15 consecutive years
- Named Best Lawyers in America® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in the Akron area for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2014)
- Named Best Lawyers in America® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in the Akron area for Creditor Debtor Rights (2011)
- Selected for inclusion in Ohio’s Super Lawyers® (2004-2006 and 2009-2024), as voted by his peers
- Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition® for Creditor Debtor Rights (2014)
- Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights (2011)
- Recognized in Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights (2009,2010)
- Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of AV® Preeminent™, which is the highest possible rating in both legal and ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar
- University of Akron School of Law Advancement Council
- Akron Roundtable, Board of Directors
- Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Advisory Board Member
- Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, Board Member
- Fairlawn Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- Fairlawn Area Chamber of Commerce, Circle of Excellence, Chair
- American Red Cross, Summit County, Board Member
- Hudson Community Chapel, Deacon
Associations
- Akron Bar Association
- Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Section
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Litigation, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Sections
- National Lawyers Association
Presentations:
- “Real Estate Transactions in Bankruptcy,” Buckingham’s Annual Real Estate & Construction Law Seminar (2009)
- Panelist: “Thrive, Survive or Nose Dive in 2008: Insights and Advice from Four Industry Veterans,” Quarterly Winter Meeting of the Commercial Financial Association (2008)
- “Impact of New Bankruptcy Act on Real Estate Practitioners,” Real Property Law Institute of the Columbus Bar Association
- “Representing a Business in Distress,” Stark County Bar Association Corporate Law Committee
- “Survivor: Capital Providers Edition,” Commercial Finance Association
- “Bankruptcy: A Creditor’s Perspective in Ohio,” Lorman Education Services
- “Bankruptcy: Pitfalls for Small Business Owners,” Greater Akron Chamber Small Business
- Creditors’ rights amid the COVID-19 pandemic (April 8, 2020)
- "Avoiding the fall: Bankruptcy filings plummeted in 2015, but will the trend continue?" Crain's Cleveland Business (2016)
- “The ‘Means’ Test – A-Not-So-Perfect Means to an End?” The Compendium of Work in Personal Finance, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (2007)
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