Short Bio
Denise Dell-Powell has more than 30 years of experience in bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, and distressed property including CMBS foreclosures, workouts and bankruptcy matters. She has represented secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, Chapter 11 Trustees, Chapter 7 Trustees, and unsecured creditors’ committees. Her career also includes representation in the hospitality, restaurant, healthcare and agricultural industries.
In Denise’s business litigation practice, she has represented parties in both federal and state court and has experience trying both jury and non-jury trials. Her litigation practice involves representing clients in a broad range of matters, including those involving real estate, mortgage foreclosure, receiverships, lender liability, commercial evictions, partnership disputes, and other real estate based litigation.
Denise’s legal skills and experience in bankruptcy law earned her the distinction of being one of only 900 Fellows nationwide elected to the prestigious American College of Bankruptcy. She has been recognized as a leading practitioner in her field in numerous publications including Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and Florida Super Lawyers.
She is a frequent lecturer, presenter, and author on bankruptcy, restructuring and related issues. She has presented at conferences and seminars sponsored by the American Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, Trigild, The Florida Bar, The Bankruptcy / UCC Section of The Florida Bar, the Florida Bankers Association, the Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association, the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association, and Lorman Education Series.
Honors & Awards
- Ranked by Chambers USA in Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Florida in 2012–2018 and 2023–2025 (Band 2, Florida: North & Central, 2023–2025).
- Florida Super Lawyers, 2007-2026
- Florida Trend's "Florida Legal Elite," 2015-2019
- IWIRC, Member, Board Member of the Florida Network (2019-2022)
- Best Lawyers in America, 2006 - present
- Best Lawyer, Bankruptcy, Orlando, FL, 2018
- Best Lawyer, Bankruptcy-Litigation, Orlando, FL, 2012
Education
- Mercer University - Walter F. George School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1991
- Florida State University, B.S., Criminology, 1986
Professional & Community Involvement
- The Florida Bar
- The State Bar of Georgia
- Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy, Class of XXIX
- Central Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association - Member, Past President and Board Member
- One Heart for Women and Children, Volunteer and Past Board Member
- Central Florida Urban League, Past Board Member
- March of Dimes, Past President and Board Member
- Orange County, Children and Family Services Board, 2013-2014
- Florida Commission on the Status of Women, Commissioner appointed by Gov. Rick Scott
Representative Decisions
- Se. Com. Fin., LLC v. First Cmty. Bank of Am. (In re United Tile & Stone, Inc.), 449 F. App’x 901 (11th Cir. 2011).
- Canpartners Realty Holding Co. IV v. Vallambrosa Holdings, L.L.C. (In re Vallambrosa Holdings, L.L.C.), 411 B.R. 899 (Bankr. S.D. Ga. 2009).
- Kapila v. Deutsche Bank AG (In re Louis J. Pearlman Enters., Inc.), 398 B.R. 59 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2008).
- Fransen v. Nicassio Corp. (In re Metro Sewer Servs. Inc.), 374 B.R. 316 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2007).
- In re TSLC I, Inc., 332 B.R. 476 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2005).
- In re Tropical Sportswear Int’l Corp., 320 B.R. 15 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2005).
- Fid. & Guar. Ins. Co. v. Emps. Ins. of Wausau (In re Apache Prods. Co.), 311 B.R. 288 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2004).
- Bautista REO U.S. LLC v. ARR Invs., Inc., No. 4D22-1569 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. Feb. 23, 2023).
- Bautista REO U.S., LLC v. ARR Invs., Inc., 229 So. 3d 362 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2017).