Mariaelena Gayo-Guitian

Partner
Mariaelena Gayo-Guitian

Mariaelena Gayo-Guitian focuses on complex commercial bankruptcy, financial restructuring, insolvency matters, business reorganization, and creditors’ rights. Mariaelena regularly represents Chapter 11 debtors in possession (DIP), trustees, and restructuring professionals in large complex cases throughout Florida. She has extensive experience handling adversary matters involving bankruptcy claims, fraud claims, professional negligence, and bankruptcy avoidance actions. She has also represented trustees and creditors in bankruptcy cases under Chapters 7 and 11. As a complement to her bankruptcy practice, Mariaelena also has developed substantial experience in the representation of both assignors and assignees in assignment for the benefit of creditors in state court proceedings.

Mariaelena is a frequent lecturer and presenter on bankruptcy, restructuring, and related issues at conferences and seminars sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA), The Florida Bar, and the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association. Mariaelena is an active member of the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), an advisory board member and a past co-chair of the ABI’s Caribbean Insolvency Symposium, and a member and past president of the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association. Mariaelena is also a member of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) and the American Bankruptcy Association.

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. University of Miami School of Law 1988
  • B.S. Business Administration and Political Science cum laude University of Miami 1985

Bar Admissions

  • Florida

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
  • Federal Circuit Court for Washington, DC

Clerk Experience

  • Sidney M. Weaver U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Member, Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association
  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member, Advisory Board, Caribbean Insolvency Symposium, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member and former president, Broward County Hispanic Bar Association
  • Member, International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC)
  • Member, American Bankruptcy Association

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Recognition
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  • Super Lawyers, 2006 – 2007, 2016 – 2022
  • South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2013 – 2025
  • Daily Business Review
    • Most Effective Lawyers Finalist, 2011
    • Top Dealmakers of the Year, 2012
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rated
  • Chambers USA, Bankruptcy Litigation, Florida, 2023-2024