EDUCATION:
B.A., Harvard 1967
J.D., New York University 1970

BAR MEMBERSHIPS:
The Florida Bar
The New York Bar
Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association

COURT ADMISSIONS:
All Florida State Courts
All New York State Courts
The United States District Court, Middle District of Florida

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION AND ASSOCIATIONS:
Former President and Chair of Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association

FAVORITE MUSICIANS:
Mozart, J. S. Bach and Verdi

OTHER HOBBIES AND INTERESTS:
Painting, Opera and Trap Shooting

BIOGRAPHY:
Mr. Forizs was admitted to the New York Bar in 1971 and the Florida Bar in 1972. He is “av” rated by Martindale-Hubble. Since 1979 his practice has been concentrated in commercial litigation, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. In 1984 he was a co-founder of the firm of Blasingame, Forizs & Smiljanich, P.A. in St. Petersburg, Florida, and in 1999 he co-founded the firm with Andy Dogali.

In his bankruptcy and creditors’ rights practice Mr. Forizs has represented lending institutions, landlords, creditors’ committees, Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 trustees, debtors and purchasers of bankruptcy estate assets. He has extensive experience in bankruptcy litigation, including litigation of preference and fraudulent transfer actions, contested confirmation hearings, valuation proceedings, executory contract issues, and purchases and sales of assets. Recently, Mr. Forizs represented the Official Creditors’ Committees in the Chapter 11 cases of Towers of Channelside, LLC, and Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouses of America, Inc., both of which resulted in the successful confirmation of plans of reorganization.

In his commercial litigation practice Mr. Forizs has represented clients in complex commercial foreclosures, receiverships, commercial tort actions, real estate litigation, and a broad range of contract disputes.