Biography

Having represented mostly creditors for more than 35 years, Joseph J. Trad is a lender's "go-to" choice for an attorney to handle its most troublesome restructurings and collections. Joe's practice includes representation of both financial institutions and private and publicly held businesses in the area of loan workouts, restructurings, and foreclosures and the prosecution of recovery from borrowers and guarantors. His engagements have included a variety of complex matters including Section 363 asset sales on behalf of both debtors and purchasers; negotiation; documentation and obtaining approval of debtor-in-possession financing; cash collateral orders; and strategic counseling and negotiation of restructurings including Chapter 11 plans. Joe pursues his clients' claims before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, and he has successfully tried cases for clients in many jurisdictions.

Committed to his community, Joe is a 1997 Leadership St. Louis graduate and has held various positions with several St. Louis nonprofit organizations including the American Heart Association and Ronald McDonald House.

Joe was selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® 2005 and 2013-2015 and is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been included in Best Lawyers® 2012-2024 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization as well as for Bankruptcy Litigation.

Practice Areas

Education

  • Saint Louis University School of Law (J.D., 1982)
  • Boston College (A.B., 1975)
    • Classical Studies

Legal Background

  • Legal intern, Hon. Joseph G. Stewart, Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District (1981-1982)

Corporate Background

  • Trad Carpet Stores, Milwaukee, WI (1975-1978)

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh and Eighth Circuits
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • Missouri Bar
  • Illinois Bar

Charitable & Civic Activities

  • American Heart Association, St. Louis Chapter (Board member and Development Council member, 1994-1998; Chairman, holiday card campaign, 1994-1996)
  • Leadership St. Louis Class of 1997
  • Committee member, Kids 'n' Clays, Ronald McDonald House

Distinctions

  • Recognized by Missouri Lawyers Weekly among attorneys to secure the largest reported plaintiff verdicts/judgments in the state (2014)
  • Recognized in the National Law Journal's "Big Money Wins of 2013"