Allen has more than 20 years of experience managing complex commercial insolvency matters including Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, federal and state equity receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors, UCC Article 9 sales, out of court workouts, and related litigation. He focuses his practice on the representation of Chapter 11 debtors, Chapter 11 and 7 trustees, and Chapter 11 plan trustees. He has extensive experience representing federal and state court-appointed equity receivers in both civil enforcement actions filed by the Federal Trade Commission, the Illinois Attorney General, and actions brought by private parties. In addition to his debtor, trustee, receivership, and assignee representations, Allen regularly advises prospective buyers of distressed assets, financial institutions, equipment lessors, landlords, and trade creditors in insolvency-related matters. He has successfully represented marquee clients from a broad spectrum of industries, including metals, health care, lending, manufacturing, real estate, retailing, furniture, and trucking.
Allen is a former chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Bankruptcy and Reorganization Committee and the current chair of its Receivership Legislation Subcommittee. He is a former member of the Bankruptcy Court Liaison Committee for the Northern District of Illinois. Allen is an active member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Turnaround Management Association. He is also the former treasurer and a current member of the Board of Directors of Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE), a national financial literacy program for young adults taught by bankruptcy and financial professionals that focuses on the responsible use of credit and student loans.