Joann Sternheimer

Ms. Sternheimer is a partner at Lippes Mathias LLP, and has more than 30 years’ experience representing clients in bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings. Joann represents secured and unsecured creditors, shareholders, landlords and bankruptcy trustees in multiple jurisdictions in all aspects of chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy practice. She has also acted as U.S. counsel to foreign-based insolvency monitors and creditors in chapter 15 bankruptcy proceedings. She represents plaintiffs and defendants in adversary proceedings, including fraud-based actions. She has been appointed special discovery master and mediator by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York.

Joann represents clients in non-litigated security interest enforcement and out-of-court debt restructure arrangements. She also represents clients in complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts in New York and New Jersey.

Joann began her career as law clerk to the late Hon. William F. Tuohey, United States Bankruptcy Judge, District of New Jersey and as an associate at a prominent New Jersey firm where she represented debtors in all aspects of Chapter 11 practice.

Joann received the Legal Project's Outstanding Service Award in 2021, the Capital District Women's Bar Association's 2007 Pro Bono Award and the Legal Project's 2005 Kurt Clobridge Award for her service to low-income clients. She has been repeatedly recognized by Upstate New York Super Lawyers® (2009-2021), received an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale Hubbell®, and was selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America™, a trial lawyer honorary society. She is a frequent lecturer on topics such as bankruptcy litigation, lien perfection and priority and managing distressed assets.

Joann is a Past President of the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association and the Capital District Women’s Bar Association. She is also a past president (2016-2018) of The Legal Project's Board of Directors. She was nominated by the Board of Judges for the NDNY Bankruptcy Court and served on the Standing Local Rules Committee from 2012-2015. In December 2010 and again in 2014, she was appointed by the Chief Judge of the District Court for the Northern District of New York to serve four-year terms on the Panel of Attorneys Responsible for the Investigation and Prosecution of Attorney Disciplinary Complaints.