Polsinelli Shughart today announced the release of the second edition of “The Devil’s Dictionary,” a comprehensive guide designed to help commercial real estate lenders understand the complex world of bankruptcy terms. The book is thorough in its explanation of bankruptcy words but written in plain terms that anyone can understand and is told in a whimsical style. Due to the book’s popularity, the co-authors have issued a second edition, updating the guide with new terms and illustrations.
“Originally, we thought that commercial lenders desperately needed a quick reference guide to various terms, phrases and buzz words that are thrown around but not always fully understood. The book has been so well received that we decided to update it and re-release it. Above all, we want people to learn something and have fun when they read this book,” said Financial Services and Real Estate Department Chair Dan Flanigan.
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The title of the book references Ambrose Bierce's famous The Devil's Dictionary that first appeared in 1881 skewering the world of politics. Today’s Dictionary reflects the collective wisdom and imagination of its four banking and real estate attorney co-authors Brett Anders, Jim Bird, David Ferguson and Dan Flanigan. Together, they have a combined total of more than 90 years working in the forefront of real estate and other commercial finance, loan enforcement, financial restructuring and bankruptcy law.
“I don’t know if anyone remembers the old Dick Van Dyke show back in the Sixties?” said Flanigan. “But that’s really how it all came together with the four of us in a room brainstorming (or sometimes just drizzling) and bouncing ideas off each other.”
The authors include:
• Brett Anders who enforces the rights and remedies of secured lenders in state, federal and bankruptcy courts across the nation. One of his specialties is the use of receivership proceedings to manage, operate and ultimately sell collateral to as an alternative to traditional foreclosure and bankruptcy sales.
• Jim Bird who is the chair of Polsinelli’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring practice group. His practice is focused in the areas of bankruptcy, business reorganizations, business loan workouts, debtor/creditor rights and insurance company insolvencies.
• David Ferguson whose practice is focused on Chapter 11 bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and commercial litigation. He represents a broad array of constituencies in Chapter 11 cases, including lenders, debtors, creditors committees, and landlord and business acquirers.
• Dan Flanigan who is the chair of Polsinelli’s Financial Services and Real Estate Department. His practice encompasses all aspects of commercial finance including loan origination and documentation, servicing, and loan enforcement and bankruptcy.
In addition, “The Devil’s Dictionary” features instructive and humorous illustrations by respected cartoonist and illustrator, Charlie Podrebarac. A Kansas City treasure, Podrebarac’s cartoons have appeared in newspapers around the world as well as magazines such as Business Law Today, Nickelodeon and The New York Times Book Review. Podrebarac’s first comic panel “Cowtown” appeared in the The Kansas City Star in 1984 and since then, he has created several others including “Smart Alex” and “Fat Cats,” which currently appears in several newspapers across the nation.
“The Devil’s Dictionary” is available for $12. If you’re interested in purchasing a copy, Please send $12.00 check or money order to:
Attn: Devil’s Dictionary/Marketing Department
Polsinelli Shughart PC
700 W. 47th Street, Suite 1000
Kansas City, Missouri 64112
The co-authors are available to discuss:
• Bankruptcy trends in 2012
• “The Devil’s Dictionary”
• The story behind “The Devil’s Dictionary”
For more information contact Public Relations Manager Heather McMichael, 816-395-0618, hmcmichael@polsinelli.com
About Polsinelli Shughart
With 570 attorneys, Polsinelli Shughart (www.polsinelli.com) is a national law firm that is a recognized leader in the areas of business law, healthcare law, financial services including bankruptcy, real estate and business litigation. Serving corporate, institutional and individual clients, Polsinelli is redefining the business of law by sharing ideas, goals and outcomes with its clients. The firm builds enduring relationships by creating value through our legal services - with passion, ingenuity and a sense of urgency. The firm has offices located in Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Kansas City; Los Angeles; New York; Phoenix; St. Louis; Washington, D.C.; and Wilmington, DE. In California, Polsinelli Shughart LLP.