Legal Services

Carolyn Hochstadter Dicker concentrates her practice on finding business solutions for individuals and business entities. On the commercial side, these solutions range from corporate formation, growth and governance -- to enforcement of business obligations and settlement or litigation of disputes -- to work-outs, reorganization or the unwinding or dissolution of the business.  On the consumer side, Carolyn helps individuals find solutions to their financial needs, by assisting them in filing for chapter 7, 11, or 13, including modification of their mortgages, if feasible, or by protecting their creditor interests. As a solo practitioner, Carolyn is able to focus her attention on the specific goals of each client. Simultaneously, her clients can also benefit from her extensive knowledge of substantive law gained from her many years of "big firm" experience.

Corporate Formation, Growth and Governance

Carolyn’s corporate practice specializes in small businesses. This includes advising the client as to selection of the appropriate state of incorporation and the best choice of entity, such as a sole proprietorship, corporation, limited liability company or a general or limited partnership. Once such decisions are made, Carolyn counsels the client as to the terms and strategic planning necessary for the drafting and negotiation of various documents, such as articles of incorporation and by-laws, as well as shareholder agreements and/or secured or unsecured financing arrangements. On an ongoing basis, Carolyn advises the client regarding governance, human resources issues and policies, contracts and other commercial agreements, leasing, zoning, and other steps to be taken in growing and developing a successful business.

Corporate Reorganization/Work-Outs/
Commercial Litigation/Unwinding

Carolyn is also uniquely positioned to advise her clients, from both a preventative and prophylactic perspective, as to business restructuring and bankruptcy matters, as well as generic debtor-creditor issues. Carolyn counsels her clients on ways to avoid bankruptcy, as well as to insulate themselves from the insolvency or default of their debtors. This may include strategies regarding collections, foreclosure or other means of enforcing contractual obligations and resolving commercial disputes. On the flip-side, Carolyn provides cost-effective work-out solutions, designed to maximize value, once a client faces the need for/is in reorganization or is a creditor of such entity. If unwinding is the best strategy for a business client, Carolyn will tailor the dissolution to meet the client’s needs under either state law or the Bankruptcy Code. In addition to assisting debtor and creditor clients in the insolvency arena, Carolyn advises chapter 7, 11 and 13 trustees, debtor and equity committees and indenture trustees.

Case Studies

• Successfully negotiated a $2 million settlement of governmental claims against various major debtor-in-possession hospital entities, for taxes, other charges, contractual issues and grant programs.
• Expeditiously settled numerous actions brought against a Fortune-500 client for the return of preferential transfers.
• Succeeded in establishing and preserving debtor-in-possession Barney’s substantial investment value in a large volume of real property and equipment subject to financing leases.
• Settled action brought by debtor-in-possession Enron against a clearinghouse and multiple defendants regarding the transfer of securities.
• Negotiated a sophisticated debt restructuring and succeeded in bringing meaningful value to equity security holders of Columbia Gas.
• Achieved the dismissal of a $1.8 million action brought against a large temporary staffing agency.
• Represented a labor union in the successful collection of bankruptcy claims made pursuant to labor agreements.
• Successfully negotiated settlement of significant environmental claims for the disposition of hazardous substances based on discharge in bankruptcy.