Nicole Grimal Helmstetter

How Nicole Helps Clients

Nicole focuses exclusively in the areas of bankruptcy, business restructuring and creditor’s rights and works with creditors, debtors, fiduciaries, trustees, creditors’ committees, restructuring officers and all other parties on the bankruptcy spectrum. She often uses her significant experience as a board certified Business Bankruptcy attorney to help both large and small business owners and high net worth individuals stave off or solve their financial challenges during difficult times and emerge profitable on the other side. Recognized for her leadership in the practice area, Nicole is an American Bankruptcy Institute 2022 “40 Under 40” honoree.

Because she has represented clients on all sides of a bankruptcy case, Nicole is able to use that know-how to provide sound counsel to her clients and develop a winning strategy – of significant importance for businesses that are looking to downsize but remain operational. Nicole is also especially skilled at keeping parties out of bankruptcy by negotiating mutually beneficial out of court workouts.

Nicole has successfully obtained confirmation of plans of reorganization for a number of small businesses, including schools and real estate related companies, and has obtained bankruptcy discharges for high net worth individuals and local business owners. Additionally, Nicole routinely represents purchasers of assets and other interested parties in chapter 11, chapter 7, chapter 12, and chapter 13 bankruptcy and out-of-court proceedings.

Nicole has also represented traditional lenders, as well as hedge and investment funds in the enforcement of their rights against their collateral as well as in the execution of judgment or other collection efforts.

What Clients Can Expect

Clients often cite Nicole’s wealth of experience, coupled with her out-of-the-box thinking as her greatest strengths and why they enjoy working with her. Clients also appreciate her responsive and prompt communication style. She is dynamic, energetic, and truly invested in her clients’ cases and their ultimate success.

Awards

• Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Up and Coming, 2024
• American Bankruptcy Institute “40 Under 40” honoree, 2022
• Pro Bono Bankruptcy Award, Dade Legal Aid, 2016
• Greatest Overall Excellence in Advocacy Award, Florida International University College of Law, 2010
• Most Outstanding Contribution to the Board of Advocates Award, Florida International University College of Law, 2010
• CALI Excellence – Consumer Bankruptcy Clinic, Florida International University College of Law, 2010
• Former Vice President of Negotiations Team, Florida International University College of Law, 2010
• ABA National Negotiation Finals Competition, 2009, Finalist
• ABA Southeast Regional Negotiation Competition, 2008, 1st Place

Proof Points

• Served as counsel for a Behavioral Analysis Center in a small business chapter 11 reorganization
• Representation of real estate based secured creditors and lenders in BK Court
• Representation of BioNitrogen Holdings Corp. in a chapter 11 protection matter
• Representation of national clinical research organization in its chapter 11 filing
• Counsel to several private school debtors in successful chapter 11 reorganizations
• Representation of chapter 7 trustee in the liquidation of construction company, filed over 30 adversary proceedings and produced large returns for creditors
• Representation of chapter 7 trustee in the liquidation of an operating real estate company
• Coordinated and held competitive auction for the sale of the company’s real estate listings and produced large returns for creditors