Theodore Orson - West Warwick, RI

Ted concentrates his practice in commercial litigation and business insolvency.

In his commercial litigation practice, Ted has represented all types of commercial parties, including shareholders/members of closely held companies in owner disputes, parties to contract disputes, eminent domain disputes, and large collection matters, among numerous others.

Ted is also experienced in representing parties to contested eminent domain takings.

In his commercial insolvency practice, Ted has represented all types of parties to federal bankruptcy cases and state court receivership proceedings, including debtors, secured creditors, vendors, municipalities and equity security holders.

He regularly represents commercial borrowers in working out distressed loans with institutional and private lenders.

He has been appointed permanent receiver of over fifty (50) Rhode Island companies by the Superior Court of the State of Rhode Island. As court fiduciary, Ted has operated all types of businesses, including manufacturing facilities, health care businesses, a Jewish synagogue, a Catholic private school, just to name a few. He has also been appointed ancillary receiver by the Superior Courts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Connecticut.

Ted was lead counsel to the State of Rhode Island and the Receiver of the City of Central Falls in the Chapter 9 bankruptcy of the City of Central Falls. This was the second Chapter 9 bankruptcy of a city in the United States since the Great Depression.

Notable Experience

• Garnered national attention for his work as lead counsel to the Receiver of the City of Central Falls and the State of Rhode Island in the Chapter 9 case of the City of Central Falls.
• Represented the Rhode Island Department of Health and other departments of the state in two large community hospital receiverships.
• In representing a large financially-distressed organization, he negotiated and consummated an out-of-court creditor composition in which most of the benefits of a federal bankruptcy reorganization were realized without the cost, disruption, and risk of a Bankruptcy Court reorganization proceeding.
• Defended a large Boston law firm against claims asserted in connection with sensitive Federal Court litigation.
• Recently obtained a large jury verdict in a partners’ dispute.
• Represents the City of Pawtucket in its attempt to redevelop the Downtown and Riverway.

More About Ted

• Lectures throughout the country on Chapter 9 bankruptcy and municipal insolvency.
• Has been interviewed regarding municipal insolvency by numerous print and broadcast media agencies including The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, The Providence Journal, Reuters, the Los Angeles Times, the Detroit Free Press, several local Rhode Island television stations, and certain print and broadcast media located in England, Germany and South Korea.