Paula Jacobi

Paula K. Jacobi

Of Counsel (Retired)

Resolving matters that arose where there was an underlying financial difficulty or insolvency was at the heart of Paula Jacobi’s practice. She represented clients in and out of state, federal and bankruptcy courts on matters that ranged from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars and was dedicated to guiding clients through even the most complicated disputes.

Paula offered four decades of experience in state and federal court litigation, bankruptcy court litigation, reorganization cases and out-of-court workouts. She was skilled in business dispute litigation, the defense and prosecution of fraudulent and preferential transfer cases, and litigation to recover on secured and unsecured debts.

Paula’s clients included equity funds, financial institutions, lenders, REITS, landlords, corporate creditors (secured and unsecured), corporate and partnership debtors, assignees for the benefit of creditors, trustees and receivers. She offered a breadth of experience in financing, contracting and leasing for corporate clients, as well as extensive trial and appellate experience in state and federal courts.

Of particular note and in addition to her traditional litigation and bankruptcy law experience, Paula represented several companies, including those that purchased or owned distressed companies, frequently taking on an outside “general counsel” role. Moreover, her experience representing both debtors, creditors, purchasers and sellers in distressed situations, allowed her to understand the specific perspective of each to better represent them.

Regardless of the client or matter, Paula was appreciated for her tenacity and fearlessness when it comes to pursuing client rights. A competitor at the core, Paula thrived under the intellectual challenge of resolving complex and serious disputes and in striving to realize “her clients’ objectives.

Credentials

Education

  • Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1977, Dean's List, senior staff editor of Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
  • Cincinnati College of Law, 1974-1975, member of Law Review, Constitutional Law Award
  • Smith College, graduate studies in psychiatric social work, 1972-1973
  • University of Michigan, B.Ed., 1972, James B. Angel Scholar

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
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