Joseph M. Welch has joined Blank Rome’s Orange County office as a partner in the finance, restructuring and bankruptcy practice group. A certified bankruptcy specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization with a broad-based bankruptcy practice representing lenders and other creditors, Welch also dedicates a significant portion of his practice to representing agricultural lenders and advising agribusiness and food companies on a wide range of corporate matters. He joins from Buchalter, where he co-founded the Agribusiness/Agrifinance group.
“We are thrilled to welcome Joseph to our growing Orange County office and nationally recognized Finance group,” Grant Palmer, chair and managing partner at Blank Rome, said. “The economic headwinds that our clients will navigate this year require experienced, trusted counsel from practitioners like Joseph. Our creditor clients will appreciate his track record of anticipating risk, potential insolvencies and workouts, as well as achieving successful outcomes.”
“California boasts one of the largest agricultural markets in the country, and Joseph’s involvement in some of the industry’s largest bankruptcies and transactions in recent years will bolster our team’s offerings in this important sector,” Lawrence Flick, partner and chair of the financial services industry group at Blank Rome, said. “With the agricultural industry facing major supply chain, inflation, climate and other issues in 2023, companies will require strategic, in-depth counsel on these matters. Joseph’s experience and intimate knowledge of this critical space will help us further support multinational organizations operating in this sector.”
“Blank Rome is highly regarded nationally in both the finance and bankruptcy and restructuring space,” Welch said. “Its strong reputation, robust national platform, and established presence in key markets, such as Delaware, New York, Illinois, Texas and California, make it the perfect firm for me to service my clients and grow my practice. I am also impressed by the firm’s collaborative culture and people, and I look forward to reuniting with several former colleagues, including partners Shadi Enos Jahangir and Anthony R. Callobre, who have moved to Blank Rome.”
