Steven Boyajian

Steven J. Boyajian

(he/him/his)

Partner

Steven J. Boyajian

(he/him/his)

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    Steven Boyajian, a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group, focuses his practice on bankruptcy, creditors' rights, and litigation involving real estate and business disputes. He frequently represents financial institutions, private lenders, purchasers of distressed assets, landlords, title insurers, suppliers, and professional service providers.

    Creditors’ Rights

    Steve represents financial institutions and private lenders in the enforcement of their rights under credit documents, including through litigation, conduct of secured party sales, foreclosures, and workouts. He develops and executes offensive and defensive strategies for creditors who are confronted by insolvency related risks.

    Steve has successfully worked to make his clients financially whole. After a borrower fraudulently transferred funds into a real estate holding company, he obtained full recovery of the money, with fees and interest, for the lender. In another matter, Steve helped a lender obtain full payment, fees, and interest in under a year, by negotiating the restructuring of a multimillion dollar credit facility.

    Bankruptcy and Receivership

    Steve assists lenders, asset purchasers, landlords, trade creditors, insurers, creditors’ committees and trustees in all stages of bankruptcy and receivership proceedings, including relief from stay and cash collateral hearings, preference and fraudulent transfer litigation, asset sales, and confirmation proceedings. His experience in bankruptcy and receivership allows him to foresee the legal risks his clients may be exposed to as their borrowers approach insolvency, allowing him to protect clients’ interests and assets. He successfully helped a client, a secured creditor, get full recovery of its multimillion dollar claim, including interest and fees, from a debtor in Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a lengthy confirmation process involving competing plans of reorganization.

    Real Estate Litigation

    Steve represents owners, lenders and title insurers in all real estate litigation, including contested foreclosures, challenges to the validity of mortgages, evictions, prescriptive easements and adverse possession, tax appeals, tax sales, and title insurance coverage matters. He has defended multiple claims concerning the alleged invalidity of consumer mortgages and pending foreclosures, including cases in a master docket of more than 800 cases in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

    Business Litigation

    Steve helps clients involved in all manner of business disputes, including litigation of professional liability matters, business torts, breach of contract claims, and shareholder disputes. He has a record of achieving success on clients’ behalf, such as working with a team to obtain summary judgment in favor of a national actuarial firm which had faced allegations of malpractice.

    He contributes to the firm's Data Privacy + Security Insider blog.

    Pro Bono and Community Involvement

    Steve is committed to pro bono work. He participates in the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Elderly Pro Bono Program by assisting elderly individuals faced with collection actions. He is on the Town Council in Barrington, Rhode Island. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Day One, an organization which advocates for victims of sexual abuse and violence.

    Prior to joining Robinson+Cole, Steve was with a boutique bankruptcy firm in Providence, Rhode Island, where he counseled clients on all aspects of receivership proceedings and related litigation and in all stages of bankruptcy. While in law school, he worked for the National Consumer Law Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
     

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Obtained relief from stay to repossess and disposed of tower cranes through secured party sales to overseas purchasers, and recovered associated crane rental proceeds through state court receivership.

      • Obtained full recovery, including fees and interest, for lender whose collateral proceeds had been fraudulently transferred by borrower into a real estate holding company. Obtained prejudgment attachment and injunctive relief against holding company to prevent further development until the client’s claim was satisfied.

      • On behalf of secured lender, negotiated restructuring of multimillion dollar credit facility to troubled lumber company under which the client received full payment, including interest and fees, in less than one year.

      • On behalf of a secured creditor, successfully negotiated proposed plan or reorganization in cooperation with Chapter 11 debtor which provided full recovery of the client’s multimillion dollar claim, including interest and fees, plus an equity stake in the post-confirmation student housing business. The proposed plan was confirmed over the objection of, and in lieu of a competing plan of reorganization, lodged by an unsecured creditor. The client’s equity stake was later sold at a substantial profit in addition to its original loan being repaid in full.

      • On behalf of a winning bidder for a multimillion dollar piece of commercial real estate, successfully argued for disqualification of competing bid for failure to comply with the Bankruptcy Court’s sale procedures order. 

      • Participated in the defense of one of the nation’s leading actuarial firms in suit alleging actuarial malpractice and violations of Rhode Island’s state False Claims Act. Helped to obtain dismissal of the False Claims Act claim and summary judgment on all other counts of the plaintiff’s complaint.

      • Successfully obtained reversal of administrative ruling of the Rhode Island Board of Accountancy, which denied an accountant’s request for license reinstatement following a seven year suspension. The accountant’s suspension followed his guilty plea to a federal criminal charge.

    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island
      Former Attorney Advisory Committee (2007 - 2012)

      American Bankruptcy Institute

      Rhode Island Bar Foundation
      Treasurer (2022 - present)
      Board of Directors (2020 - present)
      Member of Thomas Black Jr. Memorial Scholarship Committee (2013 - present)
      Fellow

      Rhode Island Bar Association
      Member, Creditors’ and Debtors’ Rights Committee

      Turnaround Management Association

      Massachusetts Bar Association

      U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
      Board of Bar Admissions
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Selected to the Rhode Island Super Lawyers list from 2018 to 2020.

      Selected as a Rising Star to the Rhode Island Super Lawyers list from 2015 to 2017.

      Recognized as a "40 Under Forty" winner by Providence Business News for 2017.

      Recognized in Rhode Island Monthly’s 2022 and 2021 Professional Excellence in Law awards in the area of Bankruptcy And Workout.

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      Day One
      Board of Directors

      Barrington Town Council, Barrington, Rhode Island
      Former Town Council; Chairman, Ad Hoc Tax Exemption Committee

      Barrington Little League
      Director

      Barrington Land Conservation Trust
      Director
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Hope for Redemption – The Treatment of Pre-Petition Tax Sales in Bankruptcy," published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (June 2018)
      • » more info

        • Hope for Redemption – The Treatment of Pre-Petition Tax Sales in Bankruptcy

        "Hope for Redemption – The Treatment of Pre-Petition Tax Sales in Bankruptcy," published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, authored by Steven J. Boyajian (June 2018)

        The article covers whether a debtor can extend tax sale redemption payments over the life of a plan. “There is no single answer,” said Mr. Boyajian, “because the ways in which state laws unbundle the attributes of property ownership following tax sales are too varied to allow it. However, by examining what a taxpayer retains and what a purchaser takes through a tax sale, bankruptcy courts have developed a consistent analytical framework that should allow for the development of predictable results for debtors that have lost their property to pre-petition tax sales.

      • View article

      "Just Say No to Drugs? Creditors Not Getting a Fair Shake When Marijuana-Related Cases Are Dismissed," published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (September 2017)
      • » more info

        • Just Say No to Drugs? Creditors Not Getting a Fair Shake When Marijuana-Related Cases Are Dismissed

        "Just Say No to Drugs? Creditors Not Getting a Fair Shake When Marijuana-Related Cases Are Dismissed," published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, authored by Steven J. Boyajian (September 2017)

        The article provides a brief history of marijuana-related bankruptcy cases, examines the recent denial of relief to marijuana-related debtors and their creditors, and discusses the implications of Controlled Substance Act forfeiture in bankruptcy. 

      • View article

      "Boyajian named legal Rising Star," published in Providence Business News, an interview that features Mr. Boyajian (11/25/2016)
      • » more info

        • Boyajian named legal Rising Star

        "Boyajian named legal Rising Star," published in Providence Business News, authored by Steven J. Boyajian, an interview that features Mr. Boyajian (11/25/2016)

        Mr. Boyajian talks about what inspired him to pursue a law career, what is the makeup of a good lawyer, why he chose business bankruptcy law, and what are the greatest challenges in doing business in Rhode Island.

      • View article

      "Series LLCs: Can a Series File for Bankruptcy, and What if It Does?" published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (March 2016)
      • » more info

        • Series LLCs: Can a Series File for Bankruptcy, and What if It Does?

        "Series LLCs: Can a Series File for Bankruptcy, and What if It Does?" published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, authored by Steven J. Boyajian (March 2016)

        The article discusses whether individual series of series limited liability companies are statutorily eligible to seek relief under the Bankruptcy Code, how to determine what property will be included within a series' bankruptcy estate, and issues that may arise in the claims reconciliation process. To view the article, please click here.


         


      "Continued Disagreement: Use of Federal Debt Collection Laws to Expand Fraudulent Transfer Look-Back Periods," published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (March 2015)
      • » more info

        • Continued Disagreement: Use of Federal Debt Collection Laws to Expand Fraudulent Transfer Look-Back Periods

        "Continued Disagreement: Use of Federal Debt Collection Laws to Expand Fraudulent Transfer Look-Back Periods," published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, authored by Steven J. Boyajian (March 2015)

        In the article, Mr. Boyajian reviews conflicting case law concerning the use, by debtors in possession and bankruptcy trustees, of expanded statutes of limitations available to governmental entities in challenging fraudulent transfers. Specifically, the article discusses (1) the statutory framework that could allow using governmental entities' expanded statutes of limitations in the bankruptcy context and (2) the differing reasoning applied by those courts that have considered whether bankruptcy trustees and debtors in possession may take advantage of these beneficial statutes of limitation. To view the article, please click here.


      "Reconsidering the Uniformity of Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act," published in American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (April 2014)

      "The Transfer of Unemployment Insurance Experience Rates," published in American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review (9/2013)

      "Why Payday Loans Are Just Awful," published in Providence Journal, editorial (6/1/2011)

      "Unclaimed Utility Funds: Putting Lost Money to Good Use," published in National Consumer Law Center Energy and Utility Update, vol. XXI, no. 2, Spring 2004; legislation based upon this publication was proposed to the Rhode Island House Finance Committee, H6135, March 2, 2005. (2004)

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented at the Rhode Island Bar Association's "Recent Developments in the Law 2019" seminar (11/8/19)
      • » more info

        • Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law

        "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented by Steven J. Boyajian, presented at the Rhode Island Bar Association's "Recent Developments in the Law 2019" seminar (11/8/19)

        Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group counsel Steve Boyajian spoke on Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law as part of the moderated “Recent Developments in the Law 2019” seminar presented by the Rhode Island Bar Association in Warwick, RI on November 8, 2019. The one-day program offered an update on rules changes, legal trends, and new legislation in seven key areas of the law. Steve’s presentation provided attendees a summary of recent changes in bankruptcy and receivership law and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit.

         


      "Practice Pointers: When Bankruptcy and Consumer Protection Statutes Collide," presented as a panelist at the American Bankruptcy Institute's 2019 Northeast Bankruptcy Conference & Northeast Consumer Forum. (7/13/2019)
      • » more info

        • Practice Pointers: When Bankruptcy and Consumer Protection Statutes Collide

        "Practice Pointers: When Bankruptcy and Consumer Protection Statutes Collide," presented by Steven J. Boyajian, presented as a panelist at the American Bankruptcy Institute's 2019 Northeast Bankruptcy Conference & Northeast Consumer Forum. (7/13/2019)

        Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group lawyer Steve Boyajian was among the panelists speaking during the Consumer Forum Session, "Practice Pointers: When Bankruptcy and Consumer Protection Statutes Collide," presented as part of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s “2019 Northeast Bankruptcy Conference & Northeast Consumer Forum” in Newport, Rhode Island July 11-13, 2019. The same circumstances that can lead debtors to bankruptcy often give rise to claims under various consumer-protection statutes. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s mortgage-servicing rules, and similar consumer-protection rules and statutes can have substantial impacts on the creditor/debtor relationship.

         

        The session offered an understanding of how consumer-protection statutes intersect with bankruptcy and the challenges and opportunities that clients might face – whether businesses or consumer debtors, creditors, or estate fiduciaries - when bankruptcy and consumer-protection laws meet. The panelists, including a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge and a representative from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, discussed practical implications of the common intersection of consumer-protection statutes and bankruptcy. Robinson+Cole was a Benefactor-level sponsor of the Conference. 


      "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference in Warwick, Rhode Island (10/19/2018)
      • » more info

        • Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law

        "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented by Steven J. Boyajian, at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference in Warwick, Rhode Island (10/19/2018)

        The full-day program provides attendees with an update on rules changes, legal trends, and new legislation in seven key areas of the law from a designated faculty member. Steve’s session provided an update to approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy and receivership case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year.


      "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference in Warwick, Rhode Island (10/25/2017)
      • » more info

        • Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law

        "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented by Steven J. Boyajian, at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference in Warwick, Rhode Island (10/25/2017)

        Mr. Boyajian was one of the eight selected presenters, all well-known practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year. 


      "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference in Warwick, Rhode Island (11/1/2016)
      • » more info

        • Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law

        "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented by Steven J. Boyajian, at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference in Warwick, Rhode Island (11/1/2016)

        Mr. Boyajian was one of the eight selected presenters, all well-known practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year. 


      "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," at the Rhode Island Bar Association's annual Recent Developments in the Law conference (10/22/2015)
      • » more info

        • Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law

        "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented by Steven J. Boyajian, at the Rhode Island Bar Association's annual Recent Developments in the Law conference (10/22/2015)

        Mr. Boyajian was one of the eight selected presenters, all well-known practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year.


      "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented at the Rhode Island Bar Association's annual Recent Developments in the Law conference in Warwick, Rhode Island (10/23/2014)
      • » more info

        • Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law

        "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented by Steven J. Boyajian, presented at the Rhode Island Bar Association's annual Recent Developments in the Law conference in Warwick, Rhode Island (10/23/2014)

        Mr. Boyajian was one of the eight selected presenters, all well-known practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year.


      "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law," presented at the Rhode Island Bar Association's annual Recent Developments in the Law conference (10/16/2013)

      "Updates in Bankruptcy Practice and Procedure," at Rhode Island Bar Association, Providence, Rhode Island, Panelist (4/2009)

      "The Bursting Bubble: Behind on Mortgages and Car Loans — Is Chapter 13 an Option?" at American Bankruptcy Institute's Northeast Bankruptcy Conference, Brewster, Massachusetts, Panelist (7/2008)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • June 27, 2022

        Providence Lawyers Receive Distinctions During Rhode Island Bar Foundation and Association Annual Meetings

        • » more info

          Providence Lawyers Receive Distinctions During Rhode Island Bar Foundation and Association Annual Meetings

          Multiple lawyers in Robinson+Cole’s Providence received distinctions as part of the Rhode Island Bar Association’s (RIBA) Annual Meeting hosted on June 23 and June 24, 2022 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Dana M. Horton is Chair of the 2022 Annual Meeting Planning Committee and, according to the President of RIBA, “produced a diverse and enriching program” for hundreds of attorneys and judges from RI and the surrounding area that attended the two-day event. Dana also serves on the Association’s Executive Committee and is a long time member of the RIBA House of Delegates.

          During the first day or the event, the Rhode Island Bar Foundation (the charitable the charitable arm of RIBA) conducted its Fellows Annual Meeting during which Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group member Steven J. Boyajian was elected to serve as its Treasurer. Steve has been a Fellow of the Foundation since 2010 and was elected as a member of its Board of Directors in 2020. Last year, he was elected chair of the Scholarship Committee, on which he has served since 2013. The Foundation administers both a scholarship fund and an Interest On Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) fund, which makes grants to organizations providing a variety of services in the community, including for indigent legal services, victims of crimes, interpretive services and other access-to-justice type of functions and organizations. As Treasurer, Steve will chair the Finance Committee, which has oversight of these operations.

          In addition, Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group member George W. Watson III has been invited to become a Fellow of the Rhode Island Bar Foundation, a distinction that recognizes those lawyers whose professional, public and private careers have demonstrated their outstanding dedication to the welfare of the community and maintenance of the objectives of the Foundation. Fellowship is by invitation only and is evidence of such professional achievement. R+C lawyers Steve Boyajian, Linn Freedman, Dana Horton, Pat Igoe, Roger Peters and Dan Sullivan, along with Of Counsel Peter Lacouture, are also Fellows of the Foundation.

          During the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Annual Meeting Luncheon on June 24, Peter V. Lacouture was among those honored “in grateful recognition of 50 years of outstanding service to the legal profession and the Rhode Island Bar Association."

      • May 27, 2022

        Steve Boyajian and Dana Horton Receive 2022 Rhode Island Monthly Professional Excellence in Law Awards

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian and Dana Horton Receive 2022 Rhode Island Monthly Professional Excellence in Law Awards

          Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group member Steven J. Boyajian and Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Dana M. Horton were among the lawyers recognized in Rhode Island Monthly’s 2022 Professional Excellence in Law awards. Nominated and chosen by their peers, the honorees “exemplify the leading local lawyers in their respective areas of practice, from general counsel and personal injury to civil litigation and criminal defense.” For the second consecutive year, Steve was recognized in the area of Bankruptcy And Workout and, for the third year in a row, Dana is one of five lawyers, and the only woman, recognized in the Insurance practice area. View the complete list of honorees.

        • View article
      • July 8, 2021

        Steve Boyajian and Dana Horton Reappointed to Rhode Island Bar Association Leadership Positions

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian and Dana Horton Reappointed to Rhode Island Bar Association Leadership Positions

          Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group member Steven J. Boyajian and Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Dana M. Horton have been reappointed to serve as members of the Rhode Island Bar Association’s (RIBA) House of Delegates. In addition, Dana was re-elected to a third term to the RIBA Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets monthly and the House of Delegates, which includes eighty elected delegates, meets quarterly to oversee the administration of the RIBA’s affairs. Steve has served as a member of the RIBA House of Delegates since 2013 and Dana since 2009.

           

      • June 3, 2021

        Steve Boyajian and Dana Horton Receive Rhode Island Monthly Professional Excellence in Law Awards

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian and Dana Horton Receive Rhode Island Monthly Professional Excellence in Law Awards

          Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group member Steven J. Boyajian and Insurance + Reinsurance Group lawyer Dana M. Horton were among the lawyers recognized in Rhode Island Monthly’s 2021 Professional Excellence in Law awards. Nominated and chosen by their peers, the honorees “exemplify the leading local lawyers in their respective areas of practice, from general counsel and personal injury to civil litigation and criminal defense.” Steve was recognized in the area of Bankruptcy And Workout and, for the second consecutive year, Dana is one of four lawyers, and the only woman, recognized in the Insurance practice area. View the complete list of honorees.

        • View article
      • January 25, 2021

        Steve Boyajian Quoted in Law360 Article on Marijuana-tied Bankruptcies

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian Quoted in Law360 Article on Marijuana-tied Bankruptcies

          Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian was quoted extensively in the article “Biden DOJ Not Likely To Open Bankruptcy Up To Pot Cos” published in Law360 on January 20, 2021. The article examines whether a potential softening of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) position regarding cannabis might alter the U.S. Trustee Program's strong stance against marijuana-tied bankruptcies. In a 2017 letter sent to Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees, U.S. Trustee Program Director Clifford White III directed the private bankruptcy trustees to alert the U.S. Trustee Program anytime they uncover assets that appear to be tied to marijuana so the program can file a motion to dismiss. “If the U.S. Trustee Program stopped trying to get these cases dismissed, Boyajian says the courts may be less inclined to [dismiss] the bankruptcy cases of businesses and individuals on the periphery of the industry, especially if they can secure a commitment that the person or business will cut off any ties with the drug after emerging from bankruptcy.” Subscribers can read the full article.

        • View article
      • August 18, 2020

        Steve Boyajian Quoted in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly Article on Increase in Bankruptcy Filings Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian Quoted in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly Article on Increase in Bankruptcy Filings Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

          Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian was quoted extensively in the article " Businesses face crossroad as PPP funds, moratoriums end" published in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly on August 6, 2020. The article focuses on an increase in COVID-related business for Rhode Island bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys as a result of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) monies running thin, federal and state eviction moratoriums expiring, and uncertainty on the prospects for further assistance. Steve expects to see more bankruptcy filings but acknowledges that “’One of the problems businesses are facing is that science changes every day…, ‘so we are in a situation where there is uncertainty on whether closures will again be imposed. As a business owner, I would hesitate to file bankruptcy because I need certainty to reorganize. I would have a hard time confirming a reorganization plan without knowing when the pandemic will subside or how that will impact revenue.” Read the article.

        • View article
      • October 28, 2019

        Steve Boyajian Quoted in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly Article on Small Business Reorganization Act

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian Quoted in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly Article on Small Business Reorganization Act

          Bankruptcy + Reorganizations Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian was quoted extensively in the article "New bankruptcy subchapter offers relief to small businesses" published in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly on October 24, 2019. The article focuses on the recent enactment of the Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA) of 2019, which adds a number of new provisions to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Taking effect on February 19, 2020, the SBRA provides streamlined procedures for the chapter 11 reorganization of “small business debtors,” defined as generally as businesses with debts of not more than $2,725,625. Steve said that he "saw the SBRA as a positive development in the sense that the majority of businesses that file for bankruptcy are not large enterprises and the new law essentially writes out of the statute the 'absolute priority rule,' which often proves to be an insurmountable hurdle for small businesses." Read the article.

        • View article
      • October 25, 2018

        Steve Boyajian Presents on Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law During Annual RIBA Conference

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian Presents on Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law During Annual RIBA Conference

          For the sixth consecutive year, Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian presented a session on "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law" during the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law CLE seminar on October 19, 2018 in Warwick, Rhode Island. The full-day program provides attendees with an update on rules changes, legal trends, and new legislation in seven key areas of the law from a designated faculty member. Steve’s session provided an update to approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy and receivership case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year.

      • October 18, 2018

        51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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          51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 51 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2018. In addition, 32 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. View the list of recognized attorneys and their areas of practice.

        • View article
      • June 29, 2018

        Steve Boyajian Authors Article on Pre-Petition Tax Sales in Bankruptcy

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          Steve Boyajian Authors Article on Pre-Petition Tax Sales in Bankruptcy

          Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian authored the article “Hope for Redemption – The Treatment of Pre-Petition Tax Sales in Bankruptcy,” published in the June 2018 edition of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal. The article covers whether a debtor can extend tax sale redemption payments over the life of a plan. “There is no single answer,” said Mr. Boyajian, “because the ways in which state laws unbundle the attributes of property ownership following tax sales are too varied to allow it. However, by examining what a taxpayer retains and what a purchaser takes through a tax sale, bankruptcy courts have developed a consistent analytical framework that should allow for the development of predictable results for debtors that have lost their property to pre-petition tax sales.” Read the full article.

        • View article
      • November 16, 2017

        Steve Boyajian Speaks at RIBA's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian Speaks at RIBA's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

          For the fifth consecutive year, Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian presented the session "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law" at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference on October 25, 2017, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Mr. Boyajian was one of the eight selected presenters, all well-known practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year. 

      • October 4, 2017

        Steve Boyajian Writes Article on Marijuana-Related Cases for ABI Journal

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian Writes Article on Marijuana-Related Cases for ABI Journal

          Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian published an article for the September 2017 issue of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (ABI Journal). The article, "Just Say No to Drugs? Creditors Not Getting a Fair Shake When Marijuana-Related Cases Are Dismissed," provides a brief history of marijuana-related bankruptcy cases, examines the recent denial of relief to marijuana-related debtors and their creditors, and discusses the implications of Controlled Substance Act forfeiture in bankruptcy. To view the article, click here. 

      • July 5, 2017

        Steve Boyajian Appointed to U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island's Board of Bar Admissions

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian Appointed to U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island's Board of Bar Admissions

          Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian was appointed by the judges of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island to a three-year term on the court's Board of Bar Admissions. The six-member board is responsible for directing the court's federal bar admission program in conjunction with the district's federal judges. In his role as a member of the board, Mr. Boyajian will lecture annually on bankruptcy, with the district's bankruptcy judge, to all lawyers seeking admission to the federal bar in Rhode Island. 

      • November 30, 2016

        Steve Boyajian Featured in PBN Article

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          Steve Boyajian Featured in PBN Article

          Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian is featured in the Providence Business News in the Q&A article “Boyajian named legal Rising Star,” published on November 25, 2016. In the interview, Mr. Boyajian talks about what inspired him to pursue a law career, what is the makeup of a good lawyer, why he chose business bankruptcy law, and what are the greatest challenges in doing business in Rhode Island. To read the full article, please click here. 

      • November 15, 2016

        Steve Boyajian Elected to Barrington Town Council

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          Steve Boyajian Elected to Barrington Town Council

          Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian was elected to the Barrington, Rhode Island, Town Council on November 8, 2016. In a race that included six candidates, including two incumbents, he received the most votes. Voters could choose three candidates on the ballot, with the top three vote-getters being elected to the five-member council. Mr. Boyajian will serve a four-year term.

      • November 4, 2016

        Steve Boyajian Speaks at RIBA's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

        • » more info

          Steve Boyajian Speaks at RIBA's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

          For the fourth year in a row, Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian presented the session "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law" at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference on November 1, 2016, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Mr. Boyajian was one of the eight selected presenters, all well-known practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year. 

      • October 5, 2016

        Steve Boyajian Elected to Day One Board

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          Steve Boyajian Elected to Day One Board

          Business Litigation Group lawyer Steven J. Boyajian has been elected to the Board of Directors of Day One, Rhode Island’s leading organization committed to reducing sexual abuse and violence and supporting those affected by it. Day One, formerly known as the Rape Crisis Center of Rhode Island, has undertaken groundbreaking initiatives to ease the psychological burdens of the criminal justice process for victims of childhood sexual abuse and has been a leader in combating the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The organization offers a 24-hour helpline, legal and law enforcement advocacy programs, counseling, professional training sessions, and prevention education.

      • July 21, 2016

        Steve Boyajian Quoted in 'Buyer Beware' Article in Law360

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          Steve Boyajian Quoted in 'Buyer Beware' Article in Law360

          Steven J. Boyajian was quoted in Law360 on July 15, 2016, in an article that discusses the Second Circuit's decision to strike down, in part, a prior bankruptcy court decision that protected General Motors from liability related to ignition switch defects. In the article, "2nd Circ. Says 'Buyer Beware' In GM Ruling On Ch. 11 Sale," Mr. Boyajian, business litigation lawyer in Robinson+Cole's Providence office, says that the most important work in a Chapter 11 case starts at the negotiating table. He adds, "Had the ignition-switch plaintiffs been there, they could have leveraged a better result for themselves." Click here to view the article.

      • March 4, 2016

        Steve Boyajian Examines Series LLCs in ABI Journal Article

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          Steve Boyajian Examines Series LLCs in ABI Journal Article

          Business litigation lawyer Steven J. Boyajian wrote the article "Series LLCs: Can a Series File for Bankruptcy, and What if It Does?," featured in the March 2016 issue of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (ABI Journal). In the article, Mr. Boyajian discusses whether individual series of series limited liability companies are statutorily eligible to seek relief under the Bankruptcy Code, how to determine what property will be included within a series' bankruptcy estate, and issues that may arise in the claims reconciliation process. To view the article, please click here.

      • October 29, 2015

        Providence Lawyer Speaks at RIBA's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

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          Providence Lawyer Speaks at RIBA's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

          Business litigation lawyer Steven J. Boyajian presented the session "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law" at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference on October 22, 2015. Mr. Boyajian was one of the eight selected presenters, all well-known practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated approximately 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year.

      • March 9, 2015

        Steven Boyajian Writes ABI Journal Article on Federal Debt Collection Laws

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          Steven Boyajian Writes ABI Journal Article on Federal Debt Collection Laws

          Providence lawyer Steven J. Boyajian wrote the article "Continued Disagreement: Use of Federal Debt Collection Laws to Expand Fraudulent Transfer Look-Back Periods," featured in the March 2015 issue of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal. In the article, Mr. Boyajian reviews conflicting case law concerning the use, by debtors in possession and bankruptcy trustees, of expanded statutes of limitations available to governmental entities in challenging fraudulent transfers. Specifically, the article discusses (1) the statutory framework that could allow using governmental entities' expanded statutes of limitations in the bankruptcy context and (2) the differing reasoning applied by those courts that have considered whether bankruptcy trustees and debtors in possession may take advantage of these beneficial statutes of limitation. To view the article, please click here.

           

           

      • November 18, 2014

        Providence Lawyer Speaks at Rhode Island Bar Association's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

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          Providence Lawyer Speaks at Rhode Island Bar Association's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

          Business litigation lawyer Steven J. Boyajian presented the session "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law" at the Rhode Island Bar Association's annual Recent Developments in the Law conference on October 23, 2014, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Mr. Boyajian was one of eight presenters selected, all of whom are leading practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated roughly 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year.

      • April 25, 2014

        Steven Boyajian Authors Article for American Bankruptcy Institute Journal

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          Steven Boyajian Authors Article for American Bankruptcy Institute Journal

          Steven J. Boyajian's article "Reconsidering the Uniformity of Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act" was featured in the April 2014 issue of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal. In the article, Mr. Boyajian, a business litigation lawyer in the Providence office, responds to considered amendments to the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (UFTA), focusing on the conflicting judicial interpretations that the amendments propose to resolve. Specifically, he explores (1) presumption of insolvency under § 2 of the UFTA, (2) standards of pleading and proof for actions to recover fraudulent transfers, and (3) abolition of shifting burdens of persuasion in avoiding constructively fraudulent transfers and obligations. To view the article, please click here.

      • October 30, 2013

        Providence Lawyer Speaks at RIBA's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

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          Providence Lawyer Speaks at RIBA's Annual Recent Developments in the Law Conference

          Business litigation lawyer Steven J. Boyajian presented the session "Receiverships & Bankruptcy Law" at the Rhode Island Bar Association's (RIBA) annual Recent Developments in the Law conference on October 16, 2013, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Mr. Boyajian was one of eight presenters selected, all of whom are leading practitioners in their respective fields. The presentation updated roughly 200 attendees on developments in bankruptcy case law, rules, and practice in Rhode Island and throughout the First Circuit during the last year. It also provided an update on developments in Rhode Island receivership practice.
      • September 26, 2013

        Providence Lawyer Writes Article for American Bankruptcy Institute Journal

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          Providence Lawyer Writes Article for American Bankruptcy Institute Journal

          Business litigation lawyer Steven J. Boyajian authored the article "The Transfer of Unemployment Insurance Experience Rates," published in the September 2013 issue of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal. In the article, Mr. Boyajian examines the transfer of experience rates to purchasers in § 363(f) sales. In particular, he focuses on unemployment tax experience rates, the meaning of "any interest" as employed in § 363(f), and the potential effect of indicia of experience rate dumping on the experience rate transfer analysis. Please click here to view the article.
      • June 26, 2013

        Providence Lawyers Elected to Rhode Island Bar Association's House of Delegates

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          Providence Lawyers Elected to Rhode Island Bar Association's House of Delegates

          Business litigation lawyer Steven J. Boyajian and products liability and subrogation lawyer Dana M. Horton were elected to the Rhode Island Bar Association's House of Delegates, the fifty-member governing body of the association. This is Ms. Horton's fifth term serving as a member of the House of Delegates.

      R+C News Releases

      • November 18, 2020

        Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners and Counsel

      • October 15, 2020

        47 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in Super Lawyers®

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          47 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in Super Lawyers®

          A total of 47 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named to Super Lawyers® lists in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island for 2020. In addition, 29 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.”

          Also, Bruce B. Barth was named to the Top 50: 2020 Connecticut Super Lawyers list and Linda L. Morkan appears on the Top 25: 2020 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list.

          The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. Read more in the press release.

        • View article
      • October 19, 2019

        52 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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          52 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 52 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named to Super Lawyers® lists in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2019. In addition, 32 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.”

          The following lawyers were named to the Top 50: 2019 Connecticut Super Lawyers list: Denis C. Cavanaugh, Gregory R. Faulkner, Linda L. Morkan, Todd R. Regan, and Jeffrey J. White. Linda also appears on the Top 25: 2019 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list.

          The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. Read more in the press release.

        • View article
      • October 17, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 56 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2017. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

          In addition, 29 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here.

          See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

        • View article
      • July 27, 2017

        Steven Boyajian Named to Providence Business News’ “40 Under Forty”

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          Steven Boyajian Named to Providence Business News’ “40 Under Forty”

          Providence Business News (PBN) recognized bankruptcy lawyer Steven J. Boyajian as a “40 Under Forty” winner during the publication’s annual event on July 20, 2017 at the Aldrich Mansion in Warwick. PBN's 40 Under Forty recognizes and honors the region's brightest young leaders, innovators, and business professionals. This year’s recipients were chosen from nearly 200 applicants and selected based on career success and community involvement. Read more and view a photo in the press release.

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      • October 18, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 51 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2016. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

          In addition, 23 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here.

          See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

        • View article
      • October 19, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 54 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2015. The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.
          In addition, 21 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” Read an explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology here. See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

        • View article
      • December 4, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners and Counsel

    • Legal Updates/Newsletters

      Legal Updates/Newsletters

      "Bankruptcy Sale Order Won't Protect New GM from Ignition Switch Claims Due to Deficient Notice" co-authored with Michael R. Enright and Patrick M. Birney