Joe Butler has over 20 years experience in bankruptcy law, representing both creditors and debtors. He has been a Chapter 7 Trustee in Massachusetts since 1987 and has served as trustee in thousands of cases. Mr. Butler has also been appointed as a Chapter 11 Trustee in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island and has served as a receiver in Massachusetts. He has represented both creditors and debtors in cases in the bankruptcy courts and in out-of-court negotiations and "workouts." He has experience in re-organizing and liquidating businesses in the health care, high-tech, real estate, manufacturing, and hospitality industries.

Prior to joining Barron & Stadfeld, Mr. Butler served as a law clerk to the Honorable Paul W. Glennon, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts (1985-86). He attended Boston College Law School (J.D. cum laude, 1984), where he was an editor of The Uniform Commercial Code Reporter Digest.

Select Cases

• Served as Chapter 11 Trustee of Bay State Paper Company, obtained confirmation of Chapter 11 plan, liquidated real and personal property in excess of $4.5 million
   
• Obtained confirmation of Chapter 11 plan for debtor, Caruso Music Co., which involved a $10 million+ transaction that enabled all creditors to be paid in full and for equity holders to receive a substantial return
   
• Served as Chapter 11 Trustee of NECO Enterprises, Inc. and four related subsidiaries. Obtained confirmation of Chapter 11 plan, allowing distribution of $2.7 million to creditors

Awards and Recognition
Massachusetts Super Lawyer in the area of bankruptcy, 2005 - 2009, a designation given to only the top 5% of lawyers in the state, as determined by their peers

Martindale-Hubbell AV® Rated, a certification mark indicating that the lawyer's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.

Publications and Speaking Engagements
"Consumer Bankruptcy Workshop"
Massachusetts Bankers Asssociation 
February 12, 2008   

"Bankruptcy Roundtable"
Smaller Business Association of New England
June 26, 2007

"Paralegals Conference 2007," Bankruptcy section
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
June 26, 2007

"Bankruptcy Law and Procedure From Start to Finish"
National Business Institute
Jan 23, 2007

“Reevaluating Homestead Exemptions Under New Limits, Interpretations”
Article in Banker & Tradesman
November 15, 2004

Community Involvement and Memberships
United States Bankruptcy Court Trustee Panel, Member, 1987 - present
Boston Bar Association, Member, Bankruptcy and Business Law sections
Massachusetts Bar Association, Member, Business Law section
Rhode Island Bar Association, Member
Smaller Business Association of New England, Member