Christine M. Tobin
Partner
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, English, University of Washington, 1992
- Juris Doctor, University of Oregon, 1997
- Associate Editor 1995-1996, Staff Editor 1996-1997, Journal of Environmental Law & Litigation, University of Oregon
Representative Cases
Alaska Power & Telephone Company
Christine was substantially involved in BSK’s representation of Alaska Power & Telephone Company which included the restructuring of approximately $55 million in secured debt and in excess of $100 million in unsecured debt. After substantial negotiation, a consensual Plan of Reorganization was confirmed which allowed equity holders to retain their interests. AP&T continues to operate profitably today.
Cossack Caviar, Inc.
Christine was substantially involved in BSK’s representation of Cossack Caviar as BSK negotiated an asset sale prior to filing Cossack into a Chapter 11. The sale involved a barge, under arrest in British Columbia, Canada, that Cossack had lease rights in and an option to buy, but was owned by another entity. The buyer under the Cossack asset sale insisted on including this barge in the transaction. BSK successfully obtained a Bankruptcy Court order authorizing Cossack to purchase the barge and resell it as part of the asset sale, and worked with Canadian counsel to obtain the necessary orders and agreements from lien holders of the barge to complete the transaction.
UStel, Inc.
UStel was a publicly-traded long distance reseller financed by Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., to whom UStel owed approximately $25 million. BSK worked with UStel to negotiate DIP financing prior to filing its Chapter 11, then worked with Goldman Sachs and various carriers to complete a sale of UStel’s assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. Christine filed and brought to resolution a substantial number of preference actions on behalf of UStel.
In re Tyson
Christine represented the Chapter 7 trustee in the Tyson bankruptcy including successfully objecting to certain exemptions claimed by the debtor. This resulted in the retention by the bankruptcy estate of a substantial asset that was ultimately sold, resulting in full payment to all of the debtor’s creditors.
Professional Activities
- Chair, King County Bar Association, Creditor-Debtor Section
- Member, King County Bar Association Membership Development Committee
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
- Member, Federal Bar Association, Creditor-Debtor Section.
Honors
- Washington Law & Politics Rising Stars® 2002, 2004–2007
Civic Activities
- Volunteer King County Bar Association Debt Clinic, 1998-2002
- Mentor to Seattle University law students in providing pro bono legal services
- Member, CENTS (Consumer Education and Training Services) Event Planning Committee
Presentations
- Sovereign Immunity Issues in Bankruptcy, Women Bankruptcy Attorneys
- The Insecurity of Secured Interests in Copyrights in Bankruptcy, KCBA Bankruptcy Section
- How to Create, Perfect, Foreclose and Defend Liens, WSBA Continuing Legal Education
- Attorneys Liens, KCBA Bankruptcy Section