George W. Hopper
George W. Hopper founded the law firm, which is now Hopper Blackwell in 1987. Born in Mineola, NY, George attended Vanderbilt University for both his undergraduate (magna cum laude) and law degrees. George has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" by an annual survey of peers conducted by Indianapolis Monthly magazine, and has the highest professional rating (AV) by Martindale Hubbell.
Professional Experience
- Represents financial institutions and businesses in major debt restructuring
- Represents creditors, debtors, trustees and committees in complex commercial bankruptcy cases
- Represents financial institutions, businesses and individuals in complex commercial litigation involving insolvency, breach of contract, lender liability, shareholder disputes, fraud and tort claims
- Represents lenders and borrowers in loan transactions
- Represents purchasers and sellers in business and real estate transactions
Bar Admissions
- Indiana, 1982
- U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Indiana, 1982
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, 1988
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1994
Educational Background
- Vanderbilt University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1979
- Vanderbilt University School of Law, J.D., 1982
Professional and Charitable Organizations
- Indianapolis Bar Association (Past Chairman, Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Section)
- Indiana State Bar Association (Member, Bankruptcy Law Section)
- American Bar Association (Member, Business Law Section)
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Indiana Association for Corporate Renewal
- Indianapolis Bar Foundation Distinguished Fellow
- Former Board President for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Indiana
- The Orchard School (Planned Gifts Committee)
Publications and Lectures
- Author and Lecturer, "Representing Business Creditors Under The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (May, 2006).
- Author and Lecturer, Annual Bankruptcy Institute, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (December, 2005).
- Author and Lecturer, "New Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention & Consumer Protection Act of 2005," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (July, 2005).
- Author and Lecturer, Annual Bankruptcy Institute, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (December, 2004).
- Author and Lecturer, Annual Bankruptcy Institute, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (December, 2003).
- Author and Lecturer, "Bankruptcy Fraud ? Civil & Criminal (Ethics)," Indiana Chapter of The Federal Bar Association (September, 2000).
- Author, "Damages Recoverable in Commercial Cases and Their Proof," Commercial Litigation in Indiana (LPH) (1995).
- Author, "Commercial Lending in Indiana," National Business Institute (1995).
- Author and Lecturer, "Successful Bankruptcy Practice in the 90's," Indianapolis Bar Association Forum (October, 1994).
- Author and Lecturer, "Bankruptcy Basics for the General Bar," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (January, 1992).
- Author and Lecturer, "Workouts and Reorganization Under Chapter 11," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (June, 1989).
- Author and Lecturer, "Basic Real Estate Leasing - A Perspective Approach," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (January, 1987).
Published Cases
- Massey v. Baker O'Neal Holdings, Inc., 2006 WL 897880 (S.D.Ind., 2006)
- IGF Ins. Co. v. Continental Cas. Co., 2001 WL 1763307 (S.D.Ind., 2001)
- IGF Ins. Co. v. Continental Cas. Co., 2001 WL 1763306 (S.D.Ind., 2001)
- Creative Demos, Inc. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 142 F.3d 367 (7th Cir.Ind., 1998)
- Gray v. National City Bank, Indiana, 687 N.E.2d 356 (Ind., 1997)
- Creative Demos, Inc. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 955 F.Supp. 1032 (S.D.Ind., 1997)
- Matter of Vicars Ins. Agency, Inc., 96 F.3d 631 (7th Cir.Ind., 1996)
- Stookey v. Teller Training Distributors, Inc., 9 F.3d 631 (7th Cir.Ind., 1993)
- Klebes v. Forest Lake Corp., 607 N.E.2d 978 (Ind.App. 1 Dist., 1993)
- Jarrett v. Epperly, 896 F.2d 1013 (6th Cir.Tenn., 1990)
Representative Cases
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Represented Creditor's Committee in multi-million dollar investment fraud Chapter 11. Supervised forty lawsuits on behalf of Committee and returned millions of dollars to the benefit of the unsecured creditors.
Counsel: George W. Hopper; Jason R. Burke -
Represented large concrete manufacturer in defense of multi-million dollar anti-trust class action suit.
Counsel: George W. Hopper; Jason R. Burke -
Represented Bank through a loan workout and sale of 200+ convenience store/ wholesale petroleum distributor. Secured Bank's position through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and liquidation of debtor's assets. Obtained full recovery for Bank of $23 million.
Counsel: George W. Hopper; Jason R. Burke; Christopher C. Hagenow -
Represented Bank in workout of loans to medical center in Northwest Indiana for $20+ million of exposure in construction/ operating loans. Documented and completed restructuring and workout in favor of Bank. Resulted in Bank being paid in full.
Counsel: George W. Hopper; Christopher C. Hagenow -
Represented Bank in workout of loans to large equipment retail and rental business which involved sale of collateral to another company. Recovered majority of Bank's multi-million dollar exposure despite sales out of trust.
Counsel: George W. Hopper; Christopher C. Hagenow -
Represented minority stockholders in post-merger litigation. Defended stockholders against securities fraud allegations and negotiated buyout of clients' shares in multi-million dollar transaction.
Counsel: George W. Hopper; Jason R. Burke -
Represented Bank in bankruptcy and related litigation involving developer and investors for fraud with over nine million dollars in exposure. Guided Bank through bankruptcy, recovery, and claims against title insurance companies insuring title in companies involved in fraudulent transfers. Pursued multiple borrowers who provided credit to debtor on behalf of Bank.
Counsel: George W. Hopper; Thomas B. Blackwell; Jason R. Burke; Christopher C. Hagenow