Rebecca DeMarb
About
Rebeca DeMarb serves as a fiduciary for companies in financial trouble and other companies in need of independent management and oversight. In addition, DeMarb represents companies in financial trouble. Wearing either hat, Ms. DeMarb works diligently to meet the needs of the stakeholders.
DeMarb melds together her accomplished legal skills developed over more than 25 years working with troubled companies and her extensive experience managing on the business side. Rebecca quickly learns the crucial issues facing businesses regardless of industry. Then, because of her unique experience, she recognizes, acknowledges, and puts the team together to address both the pressing legal and business issues without pause to find the best path forward.
Rebecca’s style is hands-on, responsive, and focuses on bringing diverse interests together to reach acceptable solutions that are cost-effective and make solid business sense. Known to get messy cases with complex relationships and legal issues, DeMarb digs to find value and finds great joy in a successful sale process. She brings a polished work-product and a no-nonsense approach to her streamlined, lean, and efficient matters.
DeMarb’s industry experience includes all types of real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, international receiverships, service businesses, construction, intellectual property, c-stores, retail, e-businesses, dealerships, medical technology, healthcare, agriculture, and more.
A 1997 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, courts have appointed Rebecca as receiver for over fifteen years in Chapter 128 cases, in other state receiverships, and in federal court. In addition, DeMarb has served as an assignee for the benefit of creditors and a lender advisor in multiple jurisdictions. As an attorney, DeMarb continues to represent businesses and other interested parties in bankruptcies, state court receiverships, sales of business assets and out-of-court business reorganizations.
Significant Professional Experience
Swanson Sweet LLP
Partner
January 2024 – Present
Returned to practicing law to continue Wisconsin fiduciary practice and represent stakeholders in insolvency and restructuring.
Development Specialists, Inc. (DSI)
Strategic Partner
January 2024 – Present
Senior Managing Director
May 2021 – January 2024
Grew fiduciary practice with unique experience inside the business working directly with financial consultants.
Gained sophisticated ability to analyze insolvency matters from a legal, financial, and business perspective.
Appointed as federal and state court receiver in increasingly complex matters with international scope and governmental issues.
Extended practice to include fiduciary and advisory work in multiple jurisdictions.
DeMarb Brophy LLC / Sweet DeMarb LLC / Kerkman & Dunn / Kerkman Dunn Sweet DeMarb
Member
2012 – 2018
DeMarb Law Office, LLC
Principal
2009 – 2011
Shannon & DeMarb, LLC
Member
2007 – 2009
Established and managed a growing regional law practice focused on business bankruptcy, workouts, sale of business assets, ABCs/receiverships, and creditors’ rights.
Represented businesses across industries in commercial workouts and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin, and Northern District of Iowa.
Managed and liquidated assets of operating and non-operating businesses, including manufacturing, service, real estate, healthcare, tech, and retail.
Appointed as fiduciary receiver pursuant to Wisconsin Chapter 128 and in various other legal contexts.
Served as attorney for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in Chapter 11 cases.
Represented secured creditors in bankruptcies, informal workouts, replevin, foreclosure actions, and collateral resolutions.
Murphy Desmond S.C.
Contract Attorney & Senior Associate
1997–2000, 2001–2006, 2011–2012
Specialized in creditors’ rights, commercial litigation, and business bankruptcy at a 40-attorney firm.
Represented all parties in debtor-creditor litigation, including Chapter 7 trustee representation.
Took lead on Chapter 11 debtor cases for companies in manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and tech.
Managed first-day motions, preference analysis, professional employment, §363 sales, fee applications, and plan development/execution.
Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
Bankruptcy Associate
2000 – 2001
Represented debtors and creditors’ committees as part of a national bankruptcy practice.
Education, Admissions & Associations
University of Wisconsin Law School
J.D., cum laude (1997)
Dean’s List
CALR Award, Constitutional Law
Loyola University Chicago
B.A., cum laude, Political Science (1994)
Bar Admissions
State Bar of Wisconsin (1997)
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit (1998)
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin (1997)
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin (1999)
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (2000)
Professional Associations
Commercial Receiver’s Association – Wisconsin Director (2023–Present)
American Bankruptcy Institute – Member (2001–Present)
Committee for Central States Conference (2019–Present)
Turnaround Management Association – Member (2004–2006; 2011–Present)
Milwaukee Program Committee (2013)
International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation – Member (2015–Present)
Founder & Chair, Wisconsin Network (2017–2021)
International Board Member (2020–Present)
State Bar of Wisconsin – Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Creditors’ Rights Section – Board Member (2013–2016)
Legal Association for Women, Madison – Board Member (1999–2004); President (2004)
Teaching & Publications
Select Teaching & Presenting Engagements
ABI Central States Bankruptcy Conference (2020, 2023, 2024)
Turnaround Management Association, MARC (2013, 2014, 2024)
Turnaround Management Association Annual Meeting (2023)
Commercial Receiver’s Association Annual Meeting (2023)
Dane County Bar Association (2021, 2023)
Handling Complex Business Cases – State Bar of Wisconsin (2023)
Wisconsin Bankers Association Commercial Lending School (2022)
IMN Bank Special Assets & Credit Officer’s Forum – Midwest (2022)
State Bar of Wisconsin BIRC Retreat (2017, 2023)
State Bar of Wisconsin Bankruptcy Annual Update (2014, 2015)
Publications
“Professionals Beware! Pitfalls to Getting and Keeping Compensation,” International Insolvency Review (Fall/Winter 2004)
“New Bankruptcy Law Eases Creditors’ Burden,” Capital Region Business Journal (October 2005)
Collection Remedies and Nonbankruptcy Law Alternatives, Business Law Advisory Series, Wisconsin CLE Books (2006, 2017, 2024)
Chapter 49 – Bankruptcy and Receivership Overview, Wisconsin Judicial Benchbook, Volume II: Civil, 3rd Edition (Update Author, 2009–Present)
Certificate, Accolades & Awards
Certification
Business Bankruptcy, The American Board of Certification (2005)
Accolades
Top Attorney, Super Lawyers – Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights (2008–Present)
Top 25 Women in Wisconsin, Super Lawyers (2010, 2015–2021)
Top 25 Attorneys in Madison, Super Lawyers (2015–2021)
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings (Since 2012)
Awards
8th Annual M&A Advisor Turnaround Award – Anchor Bancorp, Inc., Chapter 11 Case
10th Annual M&A Advisor Divestiture Award – LongVans, Inc.
Turnaround Management Association – National, Small Transaction of the Year (2015)
TMA Chicago/Midwest – Small Company Transaction of the Year (2015)
Wisconsin Law Journal – Women in the Law Honoree (2018)
The Best Lawyers in America (2018–2021)
Representative Matters
FPNG Property Management, LLC, 24 CV 9755, Milwaukee Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver – Real Estate)
Heartland ABC, 2024 (Illinois Assignee for Heartland Housing, Inc.)
Anand v. Patel, et al., 23 CV 85, Columbia Co., WI (Chapter 180 Receivership Converted to Chapter 128)
MorAgra Family Farms, 23 CV 1247, Rock Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Madre Investments, LLC v. The Ohana Group, 22 CV 282, Jefferson Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Summit Credit Union v. S.M.E. Investments, 23 CV 083, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver – Commercial Real Estate)
Schneider v. Schneider (Hybrid Car Store, Inc.), 19 CV 980, W.D. Wis. (Receiver – Shareholder Dispute)
New Moxie Solar, LLC, 23 CV 77, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re Owens Flooring, LLC, 22 CV 166, Shawano Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re Hufcor, Inc., et al., 22 CV 477, Rock Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re Fabrication Express, LLC, 22 CV 544, Brown Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Green Farms Co., LLC, 21-143990-CB, MI (Assignment for Benefit of Creditors)
In re Waupaca Elevator Company Inc., 21 CV 994, Outagamie Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Snake River Spirits, Inc. to SRS ABC, LLC, C.A. No. 2021-0559-JTL, DE (Assignment for Benefit of Creditors)
In re Greenpoint Fine Art Fund, LLC, 21 CV 1696, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Harvest Small Business Finance v. International Education Federation, LLC, 21 CV 817, Milwaukee Co., WI (Foreclosure Receiver – Commercial Real Estate)
In re Bulls Eye, Inc., 20 CV 2017, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 180 Receiver – Shareholder Dispute)
Palmer v. Werner, 19 CV 770, Rock Co., WI (Chapter 180 Receiver, converted to Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re Quality Assembly & Logistics, LLC, 20 CV 28, Marinette Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re NessAlla, LLC, 20-1176, Bankr. W.D. Wis. (Chapter 11 Debtor’s Counsel)
Romo v. Apple Hospitality Group, LLC, 19 CV 1966, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re FOC, Inc., 17-00466, Bankr. N.D. Iowa (Chapter 11 Debtor’s Counsel)
In re SnowTracks Winter Commercial Management, Inc., 17-10755, Bankr. W.D. Wis. (Chapter 11 Debtor’s Counsel)
Protective Life v. Beloit Plaza Partners, LLC, 17 CV 772, Rock Co., WI (Foreclosure Receiver – Commercial Real Estate)
United States v. Americanway Management Corp., 16 CV 26, W.D. Wis. (Receiver for the IRS)
In re GreenWhey Energy, Inc., 16-CV-164, Polk Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re Capitol Lakes, Inc., 16-10158, Bankr. W.D. Wis. (Chapter 11 Debtor’s Local Counsel)
Sale of Assets of Great Big Pictures, Inc. (2015 – Seller’s Counsel)
The Park Bank v. Playful Kids Learning Ctr, Inc., 14 CV 699, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re Community Health Systems, Inc., 14-11319, Bankr. W.D. Wis. (Chapter 11 Debtor’s Counsel)
ECS Project Mgmt, Inc., 14 CV 101, LaCrosse Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Bouraxis Properties Receiverships, 14-CV-3185, Milwaukee Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver – Commercial Real Estate)
Summit Credit Union v. Haack’s Prop. Co., Inc., 14 CV 2280, Dane Co., WI (Foreclosure Receiver)
Summit Credit Union v. Roger R. Endres, Jr., 14 CV 1472, Dane Co., WI (Foreclosure Receiver – Commercial Real Estate)
In re Anchor Bancorp Wisconsin Inc., 13-14003, Bankr. W.D. Wis. (Chapter 11 Debtor’s Counsel)
Stoney Rivers LLC v. Timblin Enterprises LLC, 13 CV 995, Marathon Co., WI (Foreclosure Receiver – Commercial Real Estate)
Nicolet Nat’l Bank v. Whitefield Indus., 12 CV 732, Brown Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Sold Out LLC v. 216 State Street, LLC, et al., 12-CV-3615, Dane Co., WI (Foreclosure Receiver – Orpheum Theater)
In re Nanooncology, Inc., 12 CV 605, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
State Bank of Cross Plains v. Backstreets, LLC, et al., 12 CV 4880, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver – Commercial Real Estate)
JG Development, Inc. v. Valek, et al., 08 CV 4615, Dane Co., WI (Receiver – Various Property)
In re Automatic Arts, Inc., 11 CV 5225, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
First Commercial Bank of Tampa Bay v. Marshall H. Krone, 08-FJ-38C, Dane Co., WI (Receiver – Stock in Closely Held Company)
State Bank of Cross Plains v. Raemisch Imp., Inc., 11 CV 3883, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re Best Energies, Inc., 10 CV 6475, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In re Celebrity Spas, LLC, 10 CV 1613, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Stainless Steel Fabricating, Inc., 10-18550, Bankr. W.D. Wis. (Chapter 11 Debtor’s Counsel)
The Park Bank v. Heritage Condo, LLC, 10 CV 2269, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver – Commercial Real Estate)
In re GHL Corporation, 10 CV 639, Jefferson Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
Park Bank v. GHL II, LLC, 10 CV 3432, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
In the Matters of Bulk Petroleum Corporation, et al., 09-21782-SVK-11, Bankr. E.D. Wis. (Counsel for Secured Creditor)
In re Mt. Horeb Plumbing, Inc., 09 CV 5572, Dane Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
US Bank, NA v. Dells Hospitality, Inc., 09 CV 736, Sauk Co., WI (Attorney for Receiver)
Wick Building Systems, Inc., 08-17978, Bankr. W.D. Wis. (Counsel to Committee)
In re Clark Place, 08 CV 46, Portage Co., WI (Chapter 128 Receiver)
The Kali Resolution Partners Process
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Diagnose with Depth
We begin by listening — to the numbers, to the stakeholders, and to the human stories behind the business. Our comprehensive assessment identifies root causes, immediate risks, and hidden potential.
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Design the Path Forward
With insight comes strategy. We craft tailored, actionable plans that prioritize value preservation, stakeholder trust, and long-term viability — whether through restructuring, sale, or operational reset.
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Deliver with Integrity
Execution is everything. We lead with precision and empathy — stabilizing operations, facilitating negotiations, managing court processes, and communicating transparently every step of the way.