2025 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH
BRIAN WELCH
AGE 39
FIRM Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C.
LAW SCHOOL University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
and detail-oriented. “
AREA(S) OF PRACTICE Restructuring, Insolvency, and bankruptcy
Brian is smart, pragmatic,
”
B rian Welch has represented clients in bankruptcy proceed- ings in more than 25 federal courts around the country, consistently securing favorable outcomes for various parties including debtors, creditors, and bankruptcy trustees. One notable success involved the reorganization of a portfo- lio of hundreds of affordable housing units. Due largely in part to Welch's work, the client was able to pay its creditors and con- tinue operating. Robert Gamrath, General Counsel of the Illinois Secretary of State, worked with Welch on this case. He credited Welch’s legal acumen for the strong result. "Brian showed great attention to detail and continued to adapt to issues to achieve the result for the client," Gamrath said. Gamrath also cited a separate case highlighting Welch’s courtroom skill: Welch obtained a favorable ruling on a motion in limine that barred a secured creditor from presenting any evidence at trial which streamlined a complex contested hear- ing and paved the way for confirmation of the debtor’s plan of reorganization and its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Welch also regularly represents court-appointed fiducia- ries. In one case, Welch represented a Chapter 7 trustee from investigation through settlement in complex multi-party fraud litigation that ultimately resulted in recovery of millions of dol- lars for creditors from a bankruptcy estate that otherwise had
no assets. In another case, Welch represented a state law re- ceiver forced to defend a TRO and a suit for damages filed by a disgruntled litigant. Welch’s efforts resulted in the denial of the TRO, the consolidation of the new suit and the original suit before the original judge, and the dismissal of the suit against the receiver. In another matter, Welch obtained a favorable outcome for a client in bankruptcy court regarding a Chapter 7 filing and tax refund allocation between the debtor and non-debtor spouse. The court analyzed five potential outcomes identified by other courts across the country before accepting the argument ad- vanced by Welch and his team. "Brian has mastered all aspects of the restructuring, insolven- cy, and bankruptcy practice," Gamrath said. "He wisely counsels clients as to their rights under the Bankruptcy Code and the risks to achieving their desired result." Michael Eidelman, shareholder with the Chicago office of Vedder Price, echoed that praise, stating that Welch has earned the trust of his clients and the respect of his peers. "Brian is smart, pragmatic, and detail-oriented," Eidelman said. "In his primary area of focus, it is imperative that one is trustworthy and knows how to consensually resolve a contest- ed matter or litigate the dispute to conclusion. Brian checks all those boxes. His word is his bond. If he can't settle a case, he has the skills to seek judicial intervention."
40 Under Forty 2025
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CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
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