J. Ellsworth Summers, Jr.

Ellsworth Summers is a partner in the firm's Jacksonville office where he practices in the firm's Creditor's Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group.

His practice focuses on assisting lenders in commercial loan litigation in bankruptcy, federal and state courts. Ellsworth has extensive experience with workouts, business reorganizations and liquidations, distressed asset acquisitions, special counsel assignments and adversary proceedings. He has represented secured lenders, creditors’ committees, local governments, trustees, trade creditors, landlords, unsecured creditors, bondholders, homeowners’ associations, 363 asset purchasers and other stakeholders in a variety of business Chapter 11 cases.

Mr. Summers has significant trial experience in federal and state court as a commercial litigator. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, homeowner association disputes, tax disputes, contract litigation, receiverships, lender liability, commercial evictions, and other real-estate related litigation.

In his business practice, Ellsworth assists clients with purchasing and selling assets, and regularly advises on the impact of insolvency on complex financial transactions.

Mr. Summers has appeared before state and federal courts in 14 states, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Mr. Summers enjoys an AV-rating and has routinely been named to the Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Legal Elite, and Florida Best Lawyers lists.

Prior to private practice, Ellsworth clerked for the Honorable Stephen C. St. John, United State Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Please click here for Ellsworth’s full list of Speaking Engagements.

• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®️, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law since 2016, Litigation- Bankruptcy since 2023
• Florida Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, Bankruptcy & Creditor/ Debtor Rights (2013-2016), Bankruptcy: Business since 2017
• Named, Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2019-2023)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Judicial Review Rating
• Florida Trend, "Legal Elite," Bankruptcy & Workout (2014, 2016, 2018-2019)
• Florida Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," Business Litigation, Bankruptcy & Creditor/ Debtor Rights (2009-2011)
• Florida Super Lawyers, "Top 100 List," Florida (2017)

• First Coast Women's Services, Board Member and General Counsel (2005-present)
• Ursula Landsrath Animal Rescue Fund, Inc. (an animal rescue 501(c)(3) based in Delaplane, Va), Board Member and General Counsel (2019-present)

• ABI Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop, Advisory Board Member (2012-present)
• Bankruptcy Law Educational Series Foundation, Board Member (2013-2022)
• Bankruptcy Middle District of Florida Steering Committee, Member (2013-2018)
• Alexander L. Paskay Seminar on Bankruptcy Law and Practice, Advisory Board Member (2015-present)
• Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association, Board Member (2007-2020)
• Florida Bar Association
• Virginia Bar Association
• American Bankruptcy Institute

Legal Practice Assistant/Paralegal

Sarah G. Guest
(904) 232-7216
sguest@burr.com