Meet Our Team
Photo by Utilizer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Patricia H. Lyon
Ms. Lyon specializes in commercial loan documentation and workouts, and in enforcement of secured creditor’s rights and remedies in state court actions and bankruptcy proceedings. Ms. Lyon’s commercial loan documentation practice includes multi-state secured transactions ranging from $1,000,000 to $100,000,000. Ms. Lyon has successfully prosecuted hundreds of state court actions to enforce commercial loan documents, obtaining prejudgment writs of attachment and writs of possession in a variety of commercial cases. In addition, Ms. Lyon has successfully obtained the appointment of receivers in State and federal courts to protect security interests in real and personal property, thereby preserving assets and maximizing the return to the secured lender. In MLQ Investors, L.P. v. Pacific Quadracasting, Inc. 146 F.3d 746 (9th Cir. 1998), Ms. Lyon successfully argued that the rights of the secured lender included the rights to distribution of the proceeds of sale of a radio broadcast license, resolving this case of first impression in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ms. Lyon’s insolvency practice includes protecting creditors’ rights through relief from stay, relief from turnover by court-appointed receivers, and objections to and stipulations for use of cash collateral. In addition, Ms. Lyon has successfully objected to Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 Plans based on lack of feasibility and unfair treatment, defended against cram-downs and preferential transfer and other avoidance actions, and prosecuted non-dischargeability complaints in connection with borrower fraud.
Ms. Lyon graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1986. She is a member of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco and the State Bar of California.
Direct Line: (415) 597-7849
Fax: (415) 243-8200
Email: phlyon@frenchlyontang.com
Mary Ellmann Tang
Ms. Tang has been dedicated to assisting creditor clients in solving problems related to bankruptcy and litigation, loan workouts, restructuring, collections and other creditor/debtor matters since 1991. Her 30 years of experience in all of the bankruptcy courts in California, as well as federal, state, and appellate courts, enables her to counsel clients to pursue options, negotiate favorable positions, and obtain desired results in an efficient and cost-effective manner. She provides practical recommendations and solutions that are individually matched to each client’s needs. By emphasizing straight-forward advice and open communication with clients, fees are minimized, and results are enhanced.
Ms. Tang is currently on the board of the Bankruptcy Section of the Contra Costa Bar Association and has lectured on issues regarding the effect of bankruptcy on evictions and foreclosures. She is a long-time member of the Business Law section of the State Bar of California, as well as multiple Bay Area and national bankruptcy organizations.
Prior to joining French Lyon Tang, Ms. Tang practiced with firms specializing in consumer, commercial and bankruptcy litigation. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, earned her J.D. at the University of California at Berkeley, and enjoys hiking, swimming, and gardening.
Direct Line: (925) 678-1876
Fax: (925) 678-1877
Email: mtang@frenchlyontang.com
Kevin E. Fusch
Sr. Associate
Kevin E. Fusch is a Senior Associate with the firm. He represents financial institutions and corporate clients in real estate and business litigation. He is an active litigator, handling all aspects of disputes in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and mediation. In addition, he has extensive experience in transactional law, including drafting purchase, lease, and financing agreements. Before joining French Lyon Tang, Kevin practiced in San Mateo where he litigated complex cases involving major corporations, financial institutions, contractors, and municipalities. He was the co-chair of the Real Estate Section of the San Mateo Bar Association and is licensed as a broker by the California Bureau of Real Estate.
Kevin was formerly Litigation Counsel at Petersen Dean, Inc., a national corporation, where he represented the company in construction defects cases and worked closely with the CEO and other top executives in sensitive company litigation. Kevin successfully resolved a multi-million dollar federal lawsuit with a global insurance company after years of contentious litigation.
Kevin has the experience and expertise to succeed at trial, but is able to leverage these skills into a settlement when it is in the client’s best interest.
Direct Line: (415) 597-7816
Fax: (415) 243-8200
Email: kfusch@frenchlyontang.com
Mary Woodward
Paralegal
Ms. Woodward is a litigation paralegal who is experienced in dealing with the nuances of many and varied local court rules and procedures in state and federal courts throughout California. She is adept at expediting court filings and case management. Ms. Woodward has developed extensive form files and contacts over the years to bring cost savings to clients.
Direct Line: (415) 597-7833
Fax: (415) 243-8200
Email: mwoodward@frenchlyontang.com