Foley & Lardner LLP: John P. Melko

For businesses and stakeholders navigating financial distress, complex bankruptcies, or strategic acquisitions within the energy sector and beyond, especially in a critical economic hub like Houston, having a legal expert with unparalleled experience and a proven track record is absolutely essential. The Texas business landscape, particularly its energy industry, often faces unique challenges that demand sophisticated legal solutions. This is precisely the expertise that John P. Melko, a distinguished partner at the globally recognized firm Foley & Lardner LLP, brings to the table for clients across the state.

John P. Melko is a highly respected partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, with a practice primarily focused on complex sales, acquisitions, bankruptcies, and financings within the energy sector throughout the United States. His extensive experience also covers offshore and bluewater shipping-related issues in both foreign and domestic cases and financings. With years of cross-border and multinational experience, John has worked across a broad range of industries, including oil and gas exploration, production, transportation, refining, and marketing; electric generation and transmission; renewable energy projects; and airlines. He has an impressive track record of guiding clients through financial dislocations, utilizing out-of-court workouts as well as Chapter 7, 11 (including Subchapter V), and Chapter 15 bankruptcy procedures. John is not only a skilled attorney but also a Certified Public Accountant (non-active), offering clients a valuable financial perspective. For Texans facing critical financial restructuring, strategic sales, or complex bankruptcy proceedings, particularly within the energy industry, John P. Melko offers a unique blend of legal prowess and financial acumen, making him a go-to resource in navigating these challenging times.

The accessibility of legal counsel is paramount when dealing with high-stakes bankruptcies and complex transactions. John P. Melko practices from the Houston office of Foley & Lardner LLP, which is strategically located in the heart of downtown Houston, offering excellent accessibility for businesses and individuals throughout the city and surrounding areas.

The address for John P. Melko’s office at Foley & Lardner LLP is:

1000 Louisiana St Suite 2000, Houston, TX 77002, USA

This prime address places the firm within one of Houston's most prominent commercial towers, ensuring a professional and confidential environment for client meetings and consultations. Downtown Houston is exceptionally well-connected, providing multiple public transportation options, including the METRORail and numerous bus lines, which can be convenient for those utilizing public transit. For clients traveling by car, ample parking facilities are generally available in and around 1000 Louisiana Street, facilitating smooth visits. The central positioning of the office also means close proximity to major financial institutions, corporate headquarters, and, importantly, federal bankruptcy courts, which can be a significant advantage during active restructuring or bankruptcy proceedings. For any Texan seeking expert guidance in bankruptcy or energy-related transactions, the convenient and professional setting of Foley & Lardner LLP's Houston office contributes to a seamless and efficient client experience.

John P. Melko's practice at Foley & Lardner LLP is deeply specialized in addressing the most complex financial and transactional challenges, particularly within the energy sector and distressed industries. His comprehensive service offerings are designed to provide strategic solutions for businesses and stakeholders navigating times of significant change or financial distress. Key services provided include:

• Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization: Representing borrowers and debtors in possession, creditors and creditors' committees, securitized noteholders, trustees, and investors in Chapter 7, 11 (including Subchapter V), and Chapter 15 bankruptcy procedures. This includes out-of-court workouts and cross-border insolvency proceedings.
• Complex Sales & Acquisitions: Advising buyers of assets and businesses in and out of restructuring or bankruptcy settings, ensuring legally sound and strategically advantageous transactions.
• Energy Sector Financings: Expertise in structured financings and other complex financial transactions specific to the energy industry, encompassing oil and gas exploration, production, transportation, refining, and marketing; electric generation and transmission; and renewable energy projects.
• Offshore & Bluewater Shipping Issues: Handling legal matters related to shipping finance and disputes in both foreign and domestic cases, reflecting his cross-border and multinational experience.
• Creditors' Rights: Representing creditors in protecting their interests during bankruptcy proceedings and other financial restructuring efforts.
• Debtor Representation: Guiding companies through the complexities of bankruptcy as debtors, aiming for successful reorganizations or orderly liquidations.
• Cross-Border Proceedings: Providing sophisticated counsel on concurrent cross-border proceedings, especially vital for multinational corporations and transactions.
• Advising Boards of Distressed Companies: Offering strategic guidance to company boards facing financial distress, helping them navigate their fiduciary duties and legal options.

This detailed suite of services underscores John P. Melko's highly specialized expertise and his capacity to handle high-value and intricate legal needs for Texans in the energy industry and other sectors facing financial challenges.

John P. Melko’s distinguished career is marked by several significant features and highlights that affirm his standing as a leading attorney in bankruptcy and energy restructuring, particularly beneficial for clients in Texas:

• Extensive Experience: With a career spanning decades, John P. Melko brings a wealth of experience in complex sales, acquisitions, bankruptcies, and financings. His long tenure provides clients with deep insights and seasoned judgment.
• Consistent Industry Recognition: He has been consistently selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Litigation – Bankruptcy (2011-2024) and Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2009-2024). He was also recognized as Best Lawyers – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year – Houston (2022) and Bankruptcy Litigation Law Lawyer of the Year – Houston (2014).
• Chambers USA Recognition: John has been consistently ranked by Chambers USA in Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Texas (2009-2024), a highly respected legal directory that ranks attorneys based on in-depth market research and client feedback.
• Texas Super Lawyers: He has been named to the Texas Super Lawyers list for Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights for numerous years (2007-2017, 2023), an honor given to only a select percentage of attorneys in the state.
• Dual Legal and Financial Expertise: His background as a Certified Public Accountant (non-active) provides a unique advantage, offering clients a comprehensive understanding of both the legal and financial intricacies of complex restructuring and bankruptcy matters.
• Leadership Roles within Foley & Lardner: John previously co-chaired Foley's national Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization Practice and serves as an advisory member of the firm's Energy & Infrastructure Sector, demonstrating his leadership and influence within the firm.
• Cross-Border and Multinational Experience: His expertise extends to international cases and financings, particularly in offshore and bluewater shipping, which is crucial for Texas-based companies with global operations.
• Active in the Legal Community: He is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and the Texas Bar Foundation, a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, and actively involved in the Houston Bar Association and the Turnaround Management Association, showcasing his commitment to the legal profession.

As a highly experienced partner at a leading global law firm like Foley & Lardner LLP, John P. Melko's practice focuses on delivering top-tier legal services for complex commercial challenges rather than offering consumer-style "promotions." However, the inherent value and operational approach of his practice provide significant and ongoing "offers" to his clients, particularly those in Texas.

These distinct advantages are embedded in the firm's service delivery and commitment to client success:

• Specialized Industry Knowledge: John's deep specialization in the energy sector, combined with his bankruptcy and restructuring expertise, means clients receive highly targeted and industry-specific legal solutions. This specialized knowledge can significantly reduce the learning curve and lead to more effective strategies, ultimately saving clients time and resources.
• Strategic Problem-Solving for Distress: His extensive experience in guiding clients through financial dislocations and navigating various bankruptcy procedures provides a strategic advantage. Clients benefit from proactive advice and innovative solutions to complex financial challenges, aiming for the most favorable outcomes in distressed situations.
• Access to Global Resources: As part of Foley & Lardner LLP, clients gain access to the extensive resources of a large, international law firm. This includes a vast network of legal experts in various practice areas, advanced research tools, and sophisticated support systems, ensuring comprehensive and integrated legal solutions for multi-faceted business needs, especially those with cross-border implications.
• Efficiency from Experience: John's decades of experience and numerous accolades in his field translate into highly efficient legal service delivery. His ability to streamline complex processes and anticipate challenges can lead to quicker resolutions and potentially lower overall costs for clients, making high-caliber legal counsel more predictable.

These inherent benefits provide significant value to sophisticated clients, offering not just legal representation but a strategic partnership essential for navigating the most challenging financial and commercial landscapes in Texas.

For businesses and individuals in Houston and across Texas seeking expert legal counsel in complex bankruptcy, restructuring, and energy-related transactions, John P. Melko at Foley & Lardner LLP is readily accessible.

You can reach his office using the following contact information:

Address: 1000 Louisiana St Suite 2000, Houston, TX 77002, USA

Phone: (713) 276-5727

Mobile Phone: +1 713-276-5727

When contacting the office, it is advisable to have a clear and concise overview of your legal needs, particularly regarding financial distress, restructuring, or energy sector transactions. This will enable the firm’s professional staff to efficiently direct your inquiry and facilitate a timely consultation with John P. Melko or the most appropriate legal professional within their specialized practice areas. The firm’s commitment to client service ensures that initial contacts are handled with efficiency and discretion, setting the stage for effective legal collaboration.

For locals in Houston and throughout the great state of Texas, John P. Melko at Foley & Lardner LLP is an exceptionally suitable choice for legal representation, particularly when navigating complex financial distress, bankruptcies, or intricate energy sector transactions. Texans, operating in an economy heavily influenced by the energy industry, will find immense value in his deep specialization and decades of experience in this critical field. His dual background as both a lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant offers a unique and invaluable perspective, allowing him to approach legal challenges with a comprehensive understanding of both the legal and financial implications.

His consistent recognition in prestigious legal directories like The Best Lawyers in America© and Chambers USA, along with his numerous "Lawyer of the Year" awards in Houston, underscores his preeminence in bankruptcy and restructuring law. Being part of a global firm like Foley & Lardner LLP further provides clients with vast resources and integrated legal solutions, crucial for businesses with complex, potentially cross-border, financial challenges. For any Texan entity facing the daunting prospect of financial restructuring or bankruptcy, or engaging in significant energy sector transactions, John P. Melko offers the strategic acumen, specialized industry knowledge, and proven track record necessary to protect their interests and achieve the most favorable outcomes.