"Derek Meek frequently represents both debtors and creditors in bankruptcy matters. He has a strong track record of advising high-profile international corporates." – Client Quote from Chambers USA
Overview
Derek chairs Burr & Forman’s Creditors’ Rights & Bankruptcy practice group and is a member of the firm’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy team. As a partner in the firm’s Birmingham and Montgomery offices, he advises clients on cybersecurity, bankruptcy and commercial litigation matters.
He is a member of InfraGard, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and members of the private sector for the protection of U.S. Critical Infrastructure. The organization provides businesses with education, information sharing, networking and workshops on emerging technologies and threats – typically those related to cybersecurity and fraud.
Derek represents debtors, creditors, committees, asset purchasers and other clients in matters related to insolvency, financial distress and bankruptcy, both in and out of court.
He also serves as the immediate past global chair of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA). The TMA is a worldwide community of more than 8,300 members and 55 chapters, including 32 in North America, which drive business to individuals who work with companies to increase enterprise value, preserve equity, manage disruption and drive significantly improved results.
Additionally, Derek is a fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy. His practice also involves the representation of unsecured creditor committees and individual and corporate unsecured creditors. He has represented debtors in and out of court from large multi-state corporations to individuals with specialized circumstances.
With a passion for automobiles, new and old, he regularly advises clients in and around the manufacturing space, particularly automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), tier-suppliers, financiers and transportation providers.
Derek also advises equity owners, franchisors, ad hoc committees, Section 363 buyers, and other “players” in the bankruptcy, workout and restructuring space.
Derek is an experienced mediator and is registered on the Alabama State Court Mediator Roster. He focuses on mediations that are influenced by the Bankruptcy Code, the Uniform Commercial Code and financially distressed circumstances.
Services
- Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
- Bankruptcy Litigation
- Commercial / Corporate Litigation
- Creditors’ Rights & Bankruptcy
- Debtor in Possession Financing
- Section 363 Sales
- Receiverships
- Avoidance Actions
Honors & Recognitions
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law since 2009, Litigation-Bankruptcy since 2011, Bet-the-Company Litigation since 2022
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year", Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency, Reorganization Law (2023), Litigation-Bankruptcy (2017,2023)
- Named, Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers (2020, 2022-2023)
- Named, Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2012-2023)
- American College of Bankruptcy, Fellow
- Alabama Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights (2012-2023), Alabama "Top 50" List (2015-2023)
- Mid-South Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy: Business since 2016, Alabama "Top 50" List (2016-2017); Mid-South "Top 50 Birmingham" List (2021-2023)
- Birmingham Business Journal's Best and Brightest, Bankruptcy and Insolvency
- Alabama Super Lawyers "Rising Star," Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights (2010-2011)
- Birmingham Business Journal's Leading Lawyers in Birmingham, Bankruptcy
- Birmingham Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 (2005)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent© Peer Review Rating
Newsroom
News
Articles
Professional & Community
Professional Activities
- American College of Bankruptcy (11th Circuit Nominations Committee)
- Turnaround Management Association, Immediate Past Global Chair (2022), Global Chair (2021), Global President (2020), Corporate Secretary (2019), Vice President of Chapter Relations Executive Board (2018), Chair of Global Chapter Presidents' Council (2017), Alabama Chapter President (2015), Member of Global Board of Trustees (2013 - 2022)
- Birmingham Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute (Committee Development)
Paralegal/Assistant
Paralegal
Meredith Stinson Gunnells
(205) 244-5043
mgunnells@burr.com
Legal Practice Assistant
Karen Sickles
(205) 458-5434
ksickles@burr.com