Sacramento 916.520.5478
Assistant Information
Audrey Masson
Phone 916.520.5391
Email
Education
- J.D., cum laude, California Western School of Law, 2000
- B.A., University of Virginia, 1996
Bar Admissions
- California, 2000
- Nevada, 2003
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada
Jamie P. Dreher
Partner / Chair, Litigation Department
Jamie Dreher helps clients navigate the maze of options in complex corporate reorganizations and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.
As the firm’s lead bankruptcy attorney, Jamie advises and represents debtors, creditors committees, and both secured and unsecured creditors in financial restructuring, commercial litigation, and planning for and navigating complex corporate reorganizations and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. In addition to representing companies and individuals as lead trial counsel in state and federal court litigation and bankruptcy courts, he is called on to counsel clients facing insolvency-related issues.
Jamie frequently represents commercial lenders in pursuing defaulted or distressed obligations, including both judicial and non-judicial enforcement mechanisms, suits and arbitrations enforcing guarantees, and foreclosures of deeds of trust. He also represents banking, financial institutions and other lenders in protecting their collateral through receiverships, and receivers in their capacity as court-appointed fiduciaries.
Based in Sacramento, Jamie serves clients throughout California, Nevada, and in major bankruptcy cases nationwide.
Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement
- Sacramento Valley Bankruptcy Forum, Board of Directors, 2022
- United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California, Bankruptcy Dispute Resolution Program, Resolution Advocate, 2008 – present
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section, President, 2013; Officer, 2010 -2013
- California Lawyers Association, Business Law Section; Insolvency Law Committee, 2012 – 2015
- Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Lawyer Representative, 2016
- Washoe County Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- California Receivers Forum
- Federal Bar Association
Honors & Rankings
- Best Lawyers in America©, Litigation-Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2018-2025
- Super Lawyers, Northern California Super Lawyer, Bankruptcy: Business, 2022-2024
- Sacramento Magazine, Top Lawyer, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor, 2015-2023
- Sacramento Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2015-2019
- Clerkship, Honorable Christopher M. Klein, Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2002-2003
- Clerkship, Honorable Christopher M. Klein, United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California, 2001-2002
- Externship, Honorable Roderick R. McKelvie, United States District Court, District of Delaware, 2000
- Obtained $10.0 million+ judgment for non-dischargeability, revocation of discharge, fraud and damages including fees and costs, after multi-day trial in bankruptcy court involving medical billing mismanagement, fraud, HIPAA violations, and other wrongful conduct.
- Confirmed chapter 11 plan of reorganization for luxury houseboat rental and sales operator, including payment in full to unsecured creditors and restructure of matured secured debt at favorable terms.
- Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the SK Foods, L.P. chapter 11, one of the largest chapter.11’s filed in the Eastern District of California (Sacramento Division).
- Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Matterhorn, Inc. case, a large scale manufacturer of ice cream and novelty confections.
- Represented a Lake Tahoe timeshare developer in Chapter 11 including related shareholder litigation, leading to confirmation of liquidating plan.
- Confirmed Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization for organic foods retailer leading to successful post-confirmation sale of business.
- Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in Chapter 11 case involving a U.S subsidiary of an international medical device manufacturer, resulting in substantial distribution to unsecured creditors.
- Specialized experience in multiple charter school dissolutions and/or bankruptcies.
- Represented Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee in multiple matters, including estate sale of both a Debtor’s and co-owners interest in a ranch concern in Northern Nevada.
- Defended companies from preference or fraudulent transfer actions brought in bankruptcy cases or by trustees following assignments for the benefit of creditors.
- Experienced in nondischargeability litigation, lien enforcement, judgment enforcement procedures and practice.
- Represented ownership group of multiple commercial real estate properties in partnership dispute, sale of properties in related bankruptcy and related securities fraud litigation.
- Represented both sellers and buyers of assets in bankruptcy cases, ranging from real property to intellectual property.
Announcements
30 related items-
October 24, 202442 Downey Brand Attorneys Named Top Lawyers by Sacramento Magazine
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August 15, 2024Best Lawyers® 2025 Recognizes 44 Downey Brand Lawyers with Four Receiving Prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” Honors
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June 26, 202441 Downey Brand Attorneys Named 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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August 17, 2023Best Lawyers® 2024 Recognizes 46 Downey Brand Lawyers with Four Receiving Prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” Honors
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August 1, 202338 Downey Brand Attorneys Named Top Lawyers by Sacramento Magazine
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June 30, 202342 Downey Brand Attorneys Named 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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August 18, 202240 Downey Brand Attorneys Honored as The Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch 2023
Three selected as 2023 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” -
August 3, 202233 Downey Brand Attorneys Named Top Lawyers by Sacramento Magazine
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July 7, 202232 Downey Brand Attorneys Named 2022 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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November 12, 2021Downey Brand Attorneys Recognized at 12th Annual Noon Time to Honor Service
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August 19, 202119 Downey Brand Attorneys picked to represent The Best Lawyers in America® 2022
Two selected as 2022 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” -
June 17, 202138 Downey Brand Attorneys Honored as Top Lawyers by Sacramento Magazine
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August 20, 202024 Attorneys from Downey Brand selected as The Best Lawyers in America© 2021
Two selected as 2021 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” -
July 24, 202045 Downey Brand Attorneys Earn Top Lawyers Distinction from Sacramento Magazine
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November 18, 2019Downey Brand Attorneys Recognized at 10th Annual Night to Honor Service
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August 22, 201916 Downey Brand Attorneys Named Best of the Bar 2019
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August 15, 201919 Attorneys from Downey Brand named as The Best Lawyers in America© 2020
Two Named 2020 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” -
May 1, 201949 Downey Brand Attorneys Distinguished as Top Lawyers by Sacramento Magazine
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November 30, 2018Six Downey Brand Attorneys Recognized at 2018 Night to Honor Service
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August 27, 201818 Downey Brand Attorneys Recognized as Best of the Bar 2018
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August 20, 201815 Downey Brand Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019
Three Named 2019 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” -
June 29, 2018Sacramento Magazine Recognizes 54 Downey Brand Attorneys As Top Lawyers
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September 11, 201720 Downey Brand Attorneys Named Best of the Bar 2017
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August 18, 201715 Attorneys from Downey Brand Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018
Two Named 2018 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” -
July 14, 201752 Downey Brand Attorneys Make Sacramento Magazine’s 2017 Top Lawyers List
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September 8, 201613 Downey Brand Attorneys Selected as Best of the Bar 2016
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July 15, 201660 Downey Brand Attorneys Make Sacramento Magazine’s 2016 Top Lawyers List
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October 30, 2015Jamie Dreher to Serve as Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference
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September 8, 201511 Downey Brand Attorneys Selected as 2015 Best of the Bar
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July 14, 201551 Downey Brand Attorneys Named to Sacramento Magazine’s 2015 Top Lawyers List
In the News
1 related items-
May 4, 2021Local bankruptcy filings drop 35%
Sacramento Business Journal
Speaking Engagements / Events
25 related items-
March 30, 2023Tips and Tricks for Successful Remote Appearances Including 341’s, Evidentiary Hearings, and BDRP’sSpeaker, Northern California's 22nd Annual Bankruptcy Conference
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October 20, 2022Bankruptcy 101: An In-Depth Exploration of the Basics, Types and Limits of BankruptcySpeaker, Sacramento Legal Secretaries Association General Membership Dinner Meeting
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May 21, 2022Federal Arbitration Act – Should I Stay or Should I Go? Enforcing Arbitration Agreements in Bankruptcy ProceedingsSpeaker, 34th Annual Insolvency Conference
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May 22, 2020COVID-19 Webinar No. 8: Considerations for Businesses & EmployersDowney Brand COVID-19 Webinar Series
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May 15, 2020Business Guidance on Next Steps in Recovery for Yuba and Sutter CountiesGreater Sacramento Economic Council, COVID-19 Webinar Series
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May 8, 2020COVID-19 Webinar No. 7: Considerations for Businesses & EmployersDowney Brand COVID-19 Webinar Series
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April 24, 2020COVID-19 Webinar No. 6: Considerations for Nonprofit OrganizationsDowney Brand COVID-19 Webinar Series
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April 10, 2020COVID-19 Webinar No. 4: Considerations for Businesses & EmployersDowney Brand COVID-19 Webinar Series
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April 3, 2020COVID-19 Webinar No. 3: Considerations for Businesses & EmployersDowney Brand COVID-19 Webinar Series
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March 27, 2020COVID-19 Webinar No. 2: Considerations for Businesses & EmployersDowney Brand COVID-19 Webinar Series
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March 20, 2020COVID-19 Webinar No. 1: Considerations for Businesses & EmployersDowney Brand COVID-19 Webinar Series
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January 30, 2020Credit Disaster RoundtablePresenter, The Risk Management Association, Central Valley Chapter
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September 22, 2016Post Law v. Siegel: A Fresh Look at California Exemption LawCo-presenter, Central California Bankruptcy Institute
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April 20, 2016Recent Developments Regarding the Burden of Proof on Objections to the Claim of Exemption in CaliforniaCo-presenter, Sacramento County Bar Association Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section
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May 15, 2015California Bankruptcy Forum 27th Annual Insolvency ConferenceInsolvency 101: Evaluating An Insolvent Entity And Rehabilitation Strategies
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April 30, 2015California Receivers Forum, Sacramento Valley ChapterReceivers Operating In Bankruptcy
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May 20, 2014Beware the Bankruptcy Trustee, South Placer Estate Planning CouncilPresenter
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May 2012The Litigation Lifecycle: Panel Discussion regarding Litigating Avoidance, Relief from Stay and Other Actions and Contested Matters in Bankruptcy CourtPresenter, California Bankruptcy Forum, 24th Annual Insolvency Conference
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January 2012Meet the Judge—A Panel Presentation Regarding Current Receivership Trends with Judge David Brown, California Receiver’s Forum, Sacramento Valley ChapterPanelist
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November 16, 2011Select Issues in Unsecured Creditor Committee Representation, Sacramento County Bar Association Bankruptcy and Commercial Law LuncheonPanelist
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2009Judgment Enforcement in California, Lorman Education ServicesPresenter
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2009Bankruptcy in California, Lorman Education ServicesPresenter
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2009FORECLOSURE 101: Basic Foreclosure, Workouts, and Real Property in Bankruptcy and What They Mean to You, Association of Commercial Real Estate, Make More Money seminar seriesCo-Presenter
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2009How To Get The Upper Hand In Lease Transactions, Association of Commercial Real EstateCo-Presenter
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2009Negotiating Commercial Leases, Sterling Education ServicesCo-Presenter
Blogs
1 related items-
April 4, 2017California Supreme Court Clarifies Creditor Access to Spendthrift Trusts
Trust on Trial
Publications
7 related items-
March 6, 2016The Premier Cru Bankruptcy
Guest blogger, LEX VINI Blog published by Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty -
February 2014Case Update: Paulson v. Go Global, Inc., Case No. NV-12-1596-JuKiKu (Jan. 13, 2014)
State Bar of California, Business Law Section, Insolvency Law Committee, Bankruptcy e-Bulletin, Co-Author -
January 2014Case Update: In re Hazelrigg v. United States Trustee, Case No. WW-13-1230-TaDJu (Nov. 19, 2013)
Co-Author, State Bar of California, Business Law Section, Insolvency Law Committee, Bankruptcy e-Bulletin -
June 1, 2013Foreign Reorganization Plan Non-Debtors Guarantors Update–An Analysis of Ad Hoc Group of Vitro Noteholders v. Vitro SAB de CV
State Bar of California, Business Law Section, Insolvency Law Committee, Bankruptcy e-Bulletin -
June 1, 2013State Bar of California, Business Law Section, Insolvency Law Committee, Bankruptcy e-Bulletin, Case Update: In re Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. et al., Case No. 08-13555-JMP
Co-Author -
June 2012Chapter 9 Municipal Bankruptcy A Primer and Discussion of the Impact on Municipal Pension Obligations, Collective Bargaining Agreements and Retiree Benefits
The Public Retirement Journal -
August 2009Employment Issues and Bankruptcy
California Employer Update
Outside of the office, Jamie shifts his client-focus and dedication to running ultra-marathons, competing in Ironman triathlons, and skiing powder in the Sierras, where he will be happy to meet for any initial client meeting.
Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement
- Sacramento Valley Bankruptcy Forum, Board of Directors, 2022
- United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California, Bankruptcy Dispute Resolution Program, Resolution Advocate, 2008 – present
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section, President, 2013; Officer, 2010 -2013
- California Lawyers Association, Business Law Section; Insolvency Law Committee, 2012 – 2015
- Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Lawyer Representative, 2016
- Washoe County Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- California Receivers Forum
- Federal Bar Association
Honors & Rankings
- Best Lawyers in America©, Litigation-Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2018-2025
- Super Lawyers, Northern California Super Lawyer, Bankruptcy: Business, 2022-2024
- Sacramento Magazine, Top Lawyer, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor, 2015-2023
- Sacramento Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2015-2019
- Clerkship, Honorable Christopher M. Klein, Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2002-2003
- Clerkship, Honorable Christopher M. Klein, United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California, 2001-2002
- Externship, Honorable Roderick R. McKelvie, United States District Court, District of Delaware, 2000