Overview
Shawn is the Chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Board of Directors and Executive Committee, after serving as firm president for six years. He is also the founder of our Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department. While firm president, Shawn took the leading role in the development and implementation of the Firm's Strategic Plan. In his legal practice over the past 30 years, Shawn has advised clients on strategic alternatives, including acquisitions, sales, mergers, affiliations, refinancings, recapitalizations, and restructurings. He has counseled boards of directors on meeting their fiduciary duties in a variety of circumstances and in a number of industries, including automotive, energy, manufacturing, retail, casual dining, plastics, telecommunications, healthcare – including community and rural hospitals and long-term care facilities – and higher education institutions in refinancings, restructurings, and mergers. He has counseled businesses and institutions ranging in size from $10 million in revenue to multi-billion dollar public companies. Although resident in (and former head of) the Cleveland office, Shawn’s clients are located throughout the United States.
Shawn is the author of numerous articles and is a frequent lecturer on corporate governance, restructuring and fiduciary duty issues.
Shawn earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University in 1986. He received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Kent State University in 1983.
Representative Cases & Matters
- Invacare Corporation
- AmeriMark Interactive Inc.
- North Carolina-based operator of 12 senior living facilities
- Northeast Ohio skilled nursing and assisted living facility
- Indiana-based operator of 9 assisted living facilities
- Clarion Hospital
- Bristol Compressors International, LLC
- Dallas, Texas, provider of ecommerce fulfillment and distribution services
- Trios Health
- Northeast Ohio furniture retailer
- Canton, Ohio, street lamp manufacturer
- Cleveland, Ohio, hedge fund in bank holding company restructuring
- Multiple higher education institutions
- Indiana Limestone Company (Victor Oolitic Company)
- Ohio-based not-for-profit (restructuring of bank debt)
- South Franklin Circle (N.E. Ohio CCRC)
- Ohio-based $200 million revenue manufacturer of consumer products
- Michigan-based $400 million revenue tier 1 auto supplier
- West Virginia-based hospital system
- Cheboygan Memorial Hospital
- Arizona-based critical access hospital
- Twin City Hospital
- Bucyrus Community Hospital
- Forum Health Services
- BPI Energy Holdings, Inc.
- Columbus-based building products supplier
- Canton, Ohio-based home builder
- Hawaii Medical Center
- RMA Management Services, Inc.
- Cleveland-based automotive parts maker
- CCI (TGI Fridays franchisee)
- West Virginia-based water and juice bottling company
- Indiana-based automotive parts manufacturer
- Republic Technologies International, LLC
- DeVlieg-Bullard, Inc.
- Tiro Industries, LLC
- Copperweld Steel Company
- Midland Steel Products Company
- LTV Steel Railroad Subsidiaries
- Bush Leasing, Inc.
- National Bank Credit Card Unit (Special counsel in airline bankruptcy)
- National Truck Leasing Company (Restructuring counsel)
Honors & Recognition
Cleveland Magazine Cleveland 500 (2021)
Crain's Power 150 (2020)
American College of Bankruptcy
Society of Benchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Named one of the Best Lawyers in America (2006-2024)
Designated "Lawyer of the Year" in Cleveland for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law by Best Lawyers in America (2014, 2017, 2021)
Selected for inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers (2004-2021, 2023)
Chambers USA, “Leader Lawyers in Ohio,” (2004-2006, 2009, 2010, 2012-2023)
Turnarounds and Workouts, "Outstanding Young Business Lawyer"
Credentials
Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Kent State University
Admissions – Court
- U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Admissions – State
- Ohio
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section
Ohio State Bar Association
Turnaround Management Association (Former Member, Board of Trustees, Ohio Chapter)
American Bankruptcy Institute
Community Involvement
Kent State University, Board of Trustees, Chair
Cleveland Institute of Music, Board of Trustees
Ohio Business Roundtable, Member
Destination Cleveland, Board of Directors
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Member
Marymount Health Care Systems, Board of Trustees
Gates Mills, Ohio, Village Mayor (2011 to 2015); Village Council (2002 to 2011)
American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter, Director, 2008–2022; President of the Board of Directors, 2016-2018
Leadership Cleveland, Class of 2012
Great Lakes Theater Festival, Board of Trustees, Former Member
Cuyahoga County Charter Review Commission
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Capital Campaign Cabinet Member
St. Francis of Assisi (Gates Mills), Finance Committee, 2005-2010
Apollo's Fire, Former Board Member
Lyric Opera Cleveland, Former Board President and Trustee
News & Insights
External News & Publications
“Boardroom Challenges for the Distressed Organization,” LeadingAge Ohio 2015 Annual Conference and Trade Show, September 11, 2015.
“The Causes, Cures, and Killers of Health Care Cases,” Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar, August 28, 2015.
"Unique Financing Arrangements and Partnerships," panel presentation, 2013 LeadingAge CEMO Annual Meeting.
"Board Considerations in an Uncertain Environment," panel presentation, 2013 Rural Health Clinic & Critical Access Hospital Conference.
"Hospice for Hospitals -- Restructuring and Bankruptcy in the Health Care Industry," TMA Mid-America Conference, September 2013.
"Start Your Engines! The U.S. Bankruptcy System and the Resurgence of the American Auto Industry," William J. O'Neill Great Lakes Regional Bankruptcy Institute, June 2013.
“On the Frontlines: Early Warning Signs of Troubled Health Care Providers,” In-House Continuing Education Program, February 2013.
“Distressed & Turnaround Deals in Healthcare,” Investment and M&A Opportunities in Healthcare Conference, January, 2013.
“The Next (Tidal) Wave of Cases: Health Care Restructurings,” American Bankruptcy Institute 2010, Central States Bankruptcy Workshop.
“New Capital, Debt, and Structure Strategies in Response to Health Care Reform,” Physician Hospitals of America Conference 2010.
“After Things Go Bad: How the New Players Have Changed the Game,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Loan to Own Program, November 2008.
“Pension and Legacy: New Laws and Old Obligations”, American Bankruptcy Institute 2007, Central States Bankruptcy Workshop.
“The Impact of Pension Reform in Turnaround Situations,” Turnaround Management Association’s 10th Annual Business Workshop, December 2006.
“The Role of Examiners in Large Bankruptcy Cases,” 2005 William J. O’Neill Bankruptcy Institute, Cleveland, Ohio.
“Proposed Ohio Tax Reform,” teleconference, March 2005.
“Fiduciary Duties of Directors of a Financially Troubled Company,” ACC America Seminar, May 20, 2004.
“Obtaining Value From Intellectual Property Assets of a Debtor’s Estate,” Cleveland Bar Association Seminar, December 12, 2002.
“Bush Leasing—A Case Study,” Third Annual Conference on Corporate Reorganizations, September 21, 2000.
“Directors’ Role in Financially Distressed Company- Getting the Most Out of the Board,” TMA Fall Workshop, November 30, 1999.
“Whose Money Is It?—Understanding the Borrower’s Right to Use Cash After a Default of Bankruptcy,” TMA Fall Workshop, December 1, 1998.
“Addressing the Problems of the Financially Distressed Small Business,” Ohio CLE Institute, September 16, 1998.
“How a Company in Trouble Should Work with Banks,” TMA Fall Workshop, 1997.
“An Overview of the Federal Bankruptcy Process for Corporate Debtors,” July 1995.
“Basic Concepts in Chapter 11,” Cleveland Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, October 11, 1995.
“Business Development and Related Ethical Issues,” The Business of Bankruptcy Practice Seminar, November 15, 1995.
“Sanctions in Bankruptcy Proceedings,” Cleveland Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, November 5, 1993.
“Soup to Nuts: Cases Under Section 1129,” Cleveland Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, November 5, 1992.
“Commercial Tenant Defaults—Bankruptcy and Insolvency,” American Conference Institute, May 8, 1991.
“Representing Purchasers or Sellers of Bankruptcy Claims,” Cleveland Securities Law Institute, March 1, 1991.
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Events
Speaking Engagements
"How to Heal a Hospital,” Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar, August 23, 2017
“Fuse, Sever and Heal: Issues Impacting Health Care Facilities in Bankruptcy,” American Bankruptcy Institute Winter Leadership Conference, December 3, 2016
“Boardroom Challenges for the Distressed Organization,” LeadingAge Ohio 2015 Annual Conference and Trade Show, September 11, 2015.
“The Causes, Cures, and Killers of Health Care Cases,” Midwest Regional Bankruptcy Seminar, August 28, 2015.
"Unique Financing Arrangements and Partnerships," panel presentation, 2013 LeadingAge CEMO Annual Meeting.
"Board Considerations in an Uncertain Environment," panel presentation, 2013 Rural Health Clinic & Critical Access Hospital Conference.
"Hospice for Hospitals -- Restructuring and Bankruptcy in the Health Care Industry," TMA Mid-America Conference, September 2013.
"Start Your Engines! The U.S. Bankruptcy System and the Resurgence of the American Auto Industry," William J. O'Neill Great Lakes Regional Bankruptcy Institute, June 2013.
“On the Frontlines: Early Warning Signs of Troubled Health Care Providers,” In-House Continuing Education Program, February 2013.
“Distressed & Turnaround Deals in Healthcare,” Investment and M&A Opportunities in Healthcare Conference, January, 2013.
“The Next (Tidal) Wave of Cases: Health Care Restructurings,” American Bankruptcy Institute 2010, Central States Bankruptcy Workshop.
“New Capital, Debt, and Structure Strategies in Response to Health Care Reform,” Physician Hospitals of America Conference 2010.
“After Things Go Bad: How the New Players Have Changed the Game,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Loan to Own Program, November 2008.
“Pension and Legacy: New Laws and Old Obligations”, American Bankruptcy Institute 2007, Central States Bankruptcy Workshop.
“The Impact of Pension Reform in Turnaround Situations,” Turnaround Management Association’s 10th Annual Business Workshop, December 2006.
“The Role of Examiners in Large Bankruptcy Cases,” 2005 William J. O’Neill Bankruptcy Institute, Cleveland, Ohio.
“Proposed Ohio Tax Reform,” teleconference, March 2005.
“Fiduciary Duties of Directors of a Financially Troubled Company,” ACC America Seminar, May 20, 2004.
“Obtaining Value From Intellectual Property Assets of a Debtor’s Estate,” Cleveland Bar Association Seminar, December 12, 2002.
“Bush Leasing—A Case Study,” Third Annual Conference on Corporate Reorganizations, September 21, 2000.
“Directors’ Role in Financially Distressed Company- Getting the Most Out of the Board,” TMA Fall Workshop, November 30, 1999.
“Whose Money Is It?—Understanding the Borrower’s Right to Use Cash After a Default of Bankruptcy,” TMA Fall Workshop, December 1, 1998.
“Addressing the Problems of the Financially Distressed Small Business,” Ohio CLE Institute, September 16, 1998.
“How a Company in Trouble Should Work with Banks,” TMA Fall Workshop, 1997.
“An Overview of the Federal Bankruptcy Process for Corporate Debtors,” July 1995.
“Basic Concepts in Chapter 11,” Cleveland Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, October 11, 1995.
“Business Development and Related Ethical Issues,” The Business of Bankruptcy Practice Seminar, November 15, 1995.
“Sanctions in Bankruptcy Proceedings,” Cleveland Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, November 5, 1993.
“Soup to Nuts: Cases Under Section 1129,” Cleveland Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, November 5, 1992.
“Commercial Tenant Defaults—Bankruptcy and Insolvency,” American Conference Institute, May 8, 1991.
“Representing Purchasers or Sellers of Bankruptcy Claims,” Cleveland Securities Law Institute, March 1, 1991.
VIEW LESS