People
Latonia C. Williams

Latonia C. Williams

she/her/hers

Partner

Latonia Williams is a commercial litigator with a focus on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters. Her clients include secured and unsecured lenders, insurance companies, equipment lessors, healthcare businesses and franchisors. When the companies her clients do business with experience financial distress, Latonia helps diffuse disputes through negotiation and when necessary, will litigate to protect their financial interests.

Latonia has a detailed understanding of the various intricacies in the Bankruptcy Code, and diligently represents creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy throughout the United States, including defending against avoidance actions brought by debtors and trustees.

In addition, Latonia advises clients on a variety of disputes outside of bankruptcy in Connecticut federal and state courts. She helps businesses assess and resolve breach of contract actions, commercial mortgage foreclosures and landlord-tenant actions.

Credentials

Education

Howard University, B.A., 2006, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 2009

Bar Admissions

Connecticut, 2009

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of NY
U.S. District Court, Northern District of IL
U.S. District Court, Northern District of NY
U.S. District Court, District of CT
U.S. District Court, Southern District of NY

Distinctions

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2024 and 2025)
40 Under Forty, Hartford Business Journal (2022)
Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer Rising Star®: Bankruptcy (2013-2014); Creditor Debtor Rights (2015-2019)
New Leader in the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune (2019)
National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges: Next Generation (2017)
Connecticut Bar Foundation: James W. Cooper Fellow
Lawyers of Color's Hot List (2013)
Lawyers of Color - High Achievers, Connecticut Law Tribune (2011)
Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, Lead Articles Editor
UConn Law Black Law Students Association, President (2008-2009)

Professional Affiliations

Hartford County Bar Association: Board of Directors (2017-2020)
Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court: Secretary (2012-2015)
George W. Crawford Black Bar Association: Board of Directors (2011-2013); Vice President (2013-2014)
American Bar Association
American Bankruptcy Institute
Connecticut Bar Association: Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section
National Bar Association Commercial Law Section

Community Involvement

Statewide Legal Services of CT, Inc.: Board Member (2015-Present)
Statewide Legal Services of CT, Inc. Pro Bono Security Deposit Clinic volunteer
Statewide Legal Services of CT, Inc. Pro Bono Family Law Clinic volunteer
Fred D. Wish School Volunteer Tutor Program

Experience

Bankruptcy

Resolved an Adversary Proceeding of a $1.6MM Secured Claim

Represented a bank in defending and resolving an adversary proceeding filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California, where the Chapter 9 debtor, a healthcare district, alleged that the bank's $1.6MM secured claim should be disallowed as invalid under California law.

Complete Dismissals and Favorable Settlements in Defense Against Multiple Preferential and Fraudulent Transfer Actions

Represented a national company in defending against multiple preferential and fraudulent transfer actions related to various Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy estates. Cases were heard in bankruptcy courts across the United States, including the District of Connecticut, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Western District of North Carolina, Central District of California, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Eastern District of California. These representations resulted in either complete dismissals or favorable settlements.

Several Bankruptcy Cases Filed by Franchisees

Represented a national franchisor in several bankruptcy cases filed by franchisees. The representation focused on enforcing rights and remedies under franchise agreements, safeguarding post-petition outstanding amounts, and handling prepetition claim issues, especially concerning cure payments associated with the assumption or rejection of executory contracts.

A National Bank in Securing a Stipulated Judgment

Represented a national bank in securing a stipulated judgment from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York that stated the debt owed by the debtor to the bank could not be discharged in the debtor’s bankruptcy case pursuant to the nondischargeability provisions related to fraud under Sections 523(a)(2) and 523(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code.

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General

Aviation Component Manufacturer Section 363 Sale

A team of business and bankruptcy lawyers successfully completed and closed a Section 363 Sale in a Chapter 11 case recently filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut for our client, AGC Incorporated, an aviation component manufacturer. The Section 363 Sale, which was approved by the Bankruptcy Court in just 34 days, included the preparation and filing of the Chapter 11 case; a Motion to Approve Bidding Procedures; a Motion to Sell all of the assets of the Debtors’ companies to a Stalking Horse Bidder; the negotiating, preparation and obtaining of Bankruptcy Court approval of the Asset Purchase Agreement and related documents with the Stalking Horse Bidder; the negotiating and closing of the sale to a third party who bid more for all of the Debtors’ assets at an Auction; and extensive negotiations with secured and unsecured creditors regarding the distribution of the proceeds from the sale of the assets.

August 15, 2024