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Paul J. Battista

Partner
Paul Battista
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pjbattista@Venable.com
Miami, FL
T +1 305.372.2457

Paul Battista focuses his practice on complex commercial bankruptcy, financial restructuring, and insolvency matters both in and out of court, including bankruptcy-related litigation and transactional work. Paul regularly represents Chapter 11 debtors in possession (DIP), creditors’ committees, DIP lenders, purchasers of assets and trustees in large and complex restructurings, workouts, and bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings in Florida and throughout the United States. Through his representations, Paul has gained significant bankruptcy- and insolvency-related experience in numerous types of businesses, and has been involved in most of the large bankruptcy cases filed in the Southern District of Florida and statewide.

Paul also has developed substantial experience representing franchisors in numerous franchisee bankruptcies around the country. In addition, he has extensive experience litigating a wide variety of bankruptcy-related claims and issues at both the trial and appellate levels, including fraud claims, Ponzi schemes, professional negligence, bankruptcy avoidance actions, and collection of judgments.

As a complement to his bankruptcy and creditors’ rights practice, Paul has represented lenders and borrowers in all aspects of secured lending. His background includes representing one of the nation’s largest investment banking houses in the secondary mortgage market.

Related Practices

Insights

Recent News

August 21, 2025

Best Lawyers Recognizes More than 200 Venable Attorneys on Its 2026 Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers Award, and Ones to Watch Lists
Best Lawyers Recognizes More than 200 Venable Attorneys on Its 2026 Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers Award, and Ones to Watch Lists

August 15, 2024

272 Venable LLP Attorneys Recognized in the 2025 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
272 Venable LLP Attorneys Recognized in the 2025 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

July 24, 2024

In Conversation: Nearly Two Years On, Paul Battista and Michael Joblove Assess the Impact of Venable’s Expansion into Florida
In Conversation: Nearly Two Years On, Paul Battista and Michael Joblove Assess the Impact of Venable’s Expansion into Florida
View More

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. magna cum laude Boston University School of Law 1986
  • B.S. Accounting magna cum laude University of Rhode Island 1983

Bar Admissions

  • Florida
  • Rhode Island
  • Massachusetts

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy

Recognition
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Who’s Who Legal refers to Paul as “firmly established in the upper echelon of local experts.” Chambers USA describes him as a “very practical, insightful and meticulous adviser” with “infallible expertise in reorganizations.”

  • The Best Lawyers in America
    • Lawyer of the Year, Franchise Law and Bankruptcy – Litigation, 2021
    • Lawyer of the Year, Bankruptcy – Litigation, 2020
    • Lawyer of the Year, Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights, 2012
    • Bankruptcy, Business Reorganizations, Creditors’ Rights, 2024 - 2025
    • Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2025
    • Commercial Litigation, 2025
    • Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2025 – 2026
  • Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy, 2006 – 2023
  • Lawdragon, 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers, 2022
  • Chambers USA
    • Star Individual, Bankruptcy Litigation, Florida, 2022 – 2025
    • Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Florida: South (Band 1)
  • Florida Trend
    • Legal Elite Hall of Fame
    • Legal Elite
  • South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyer
  • Who’s Who Legal, Franchise Law
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rated