W. B. "Ben" Hawfield, Jr.

Ben Hawfield advises Moore & Van Allen corporate clients in acquisitions and financing transactions, particularly those involving a compromise or restructure of debt. He has significant experience in representing corporations, individuals and lenders in workouts and bankruptcy proceedings.

Representative Experience

Bankruptcies

• Ameritex Yarn, LLC II (M.D.N.C.): Representation of Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, which was successful in obtaining a 100% recovery, plus interest, for unsecured creditors in involuntary chapter 11 bankruptcy
• Birmingham Steel Corporation (Del.): Representation of acquirer of $600 million in assets, which were purchased through a confirmed bankruptcy plan
• J. A. Jones, Inc. (W.D.N.C.): Local debtors’ counsel for 50 debtor entities in successful liquidation of construction businesses
• Meadowcraft, Inc. (N.D. Ala.): Representation of senior lenders in successful chapter 11 bankruptcy where senior debt was consensually restructured
• NEGT Energy Trading-Power, L.P. (Md.): Representation of one of the largest creditors/chair of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in connection with pursuit of claim arising under an offtake tolling agreement

• Nobex Corporation (Del.): Debtor’s special counsel for sale of U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications
• Northampton Generating Company, L.P. (W.D. N.C.) Debtor's counsel for chapter 11 bankruptcy of 112-megawatt merchant power plant located in Northampton, Pennsylvania
• Qimonda Richmond, LLC (Del.): Representation of indenture trustee for loan participants that extended over $150 million in leveraged lease equipment financing in connection with lease to semiconductor manufacturer
• Southaven Power, LLC (W.D.N.C.): Local counsel for debtor in the successful chapter 11 bankruptcy of an 800-megawatt merchant power plant located in Southaven, Mississippi
• U.S. Airways Group, Inc. I & II (E.D. Va.): Representation of hub airport with claims arising from leases, landing fees and bond financing

Workouts

• Counsel to individual investor in orderly liquidation of $55 million of multi-state secured real estate investments
• Counsel to individual investor with $30 million investment in a Florida aqua-culture business in an orderly wind-down process

Notable

• Best Lawyers in America, Charlotte Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2012 
• Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 1987-2025
• North Carolina Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate, 2006-2018
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Bankruptcy, 2006-2013
• Martindale-Hubbell, North Carolina Top Rated Lawyer, 2012
• Member, Advisory Board, Mecklenburg County Council of the Boy Scouts of America
• Member, Executive Committee and Advisory Board, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Inc., 2005-2023
• Permanent Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
• Member, Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, Queens University of Charlotte, 2004-2012
• Former Member, Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Board of Directors, Western North Carolina Conference Board of Pensions, Inc., 2000-2008
• Member, Board of Governors, North Carolina Bar Association, 2003-2006
• Chairman, MVA Management Committee, 1992-2002
• Chairman, Bankruptcy Section, North Carolina Bar Association, 1978-1979
• Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, 1972-1975

News

Affiliations

• American Bankruptcy Institute
• North Carolina Bar Association