Courtney A. Schael

At Ashford - Schael LLC in Westfield, New Jersey, attorney Courtney A. Schael has carved a niche in the realm of commercial and corporate bankruptcy across the state. Her wide-ranging bankruptcy representation portfolio includes:

• Secured creditors
• Debtor-in-possession lenders
• Buyers of businesses and assets
• Landlords and suppliers
• Unsecured creditors and their committees
• Business leaders and shareholders
• Business debtors navigating Chapter 11
• Business debtors under Chapter 7
• Individuals in Chapter 11
• Defendants embroiled in bankruptcy litigation

Ms. Schael shines in crafting innovative solutions and strategies for her clients, leveraging her broad understanding and deep knowledge of bankruptcy law to tackle intricate and unique legal challenges. She founded Ashford Schael in 2009 to offer a cost-effective alternative to large law firms for business bankruptcy cases. Her wealth of experience in Chapter 11 and business bankruptcy matters empowers her to deliver top-notch representation.

After completing her B.A. in finance from Pennsylvania State University in 1986, Ms. Schael earned her J.D. magna cum laude from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1993. Since then, she has dedicated herself to business bankruptcy law. Graduating sixth in her class, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Stephen A. Stripp, a former United States Bankruptcy Judge in New Jersey. Post-clerkship in 1994, she joined a leading New Jersey law firm as a bankruptcy associate.

In her five years there, Ms. Schael advocated for business debtors such as construction firms, manufacturers, real estate developers, nursing homes and restaurants. She also represented secured creditors, including banks, financial institutions, a brokerage firm, inventory suppliers, a rental car franchisor and real estate partnerships. Additionally, she championed the interests of unsecured creditors, acting as committee counsel and representing individual creditors and committees, including airlines, individuals, hospitals, labor unions, wholesalers, suppliers and landlords. Through these roles, she amassed significant experience and honed her litigation skills in Chapter 11 cases and business bankruptcy law.

Continuing her journey in business bankruptcy law, Ms. Schael moved to New York City, joining a prestigious national law firm. There, she worked on a variety of Chapter 11 cases, including preparing the massive bankruptcy filing of FINOVA, one of the largest Chapter 11 cases at the time.

In 2003, Ms. Schael returned to New Jersey to join another esteemed law firm's bankruptcy department in Morristown. Over the next five years, she represented business debtors in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 filings, secured creditors, equipment lessors, indenture trustees, debtor principals and both individual and business defendants in avoidance actions and other bankruptcy litigation. Her clientele also included principals and shareholders of debtors and a trustee of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy liquidating trust.

Courtney A. Schael is a debt relief agent. She helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.