Distinctions
· AV-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
· The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
· Mid-South Super Lawyers®, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights
Associations
· Tennessee Bar Association
- Bankruptcy Section
-- Chair, 2005-06 Chair, 2011-12
· Arkansas Bar Association
· Alabama State Bar
· United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Tennessee
- Chair, Local Rules and Forms Revision Committee
- Liaison Committee Co-Chair
· Memphis Bar Association
- Bankruptcy Section
-- Director, 2003-06
· Mid-South Commercial Law Institute
- Director, 2006-11
· Turnaround Management Association (TMA)
- Member
Legal Experience
· In re Diabetes America, Inc. (Bankr. S.D. Tex.) Lead counsel to Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. Successfully negotiated subordination of over $5 million in claims prior to filing of complaint for avoidance of preferential transfers and breach of fiduciary duty and subordination/recharacterization claims.
· In re Trailer Source, Inc., 555 F.3d 231 (6th Cir. 2009) Counsel to international manufacturer in involuntary chapter 7 case against distributor. Successfully obtained ruling from Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on issue of derivative standing for creditor to pursue $20 million in fraudulent transfer claims on behalf of chapter 7 estate.
· In re Meridian Corporation, (a/k/a Medshares, Inc.) (Bankr. W.D. Tenn.) Counsel for then-3rd largest U.S. home health care provider with over $500 million in annual revenues, 15,000 employees and $3.8 billion in claims filed. Represented 128 related corporate debtors in jointly-administered chapter 11 cases and assisted in successfully orchestrating sale of business to strategic buyer in $40 million dollar court-approved asset sale.
Papers, Presentations & Publications
· Co-Author, "The Involuntary Bankruptcy Process: A Study of the Relevant Statutory and Procedural Provisions and Related Matters," 31 U. Mem. L. Rev. 1, 2000.
· Co-Author, "Gambling and the Bankruptcy Discharge: A Historical Exegesis and Case Survey," 11 Bkrptcy Dev. J. 49, 1995.
· "Legislative Procedure in the Bankruptcy System," 24 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 717, 1994.
· Editorial Assistance, Model Pattern Jury Instructions (1997) (Administrative Office of the United States Courts).
· Editorial Assistance, Case Management Manual for United States Bankruptcy Judges (1995) (Administrative Office of the United States Courts and the Federal Judicial Center).
· Presenter, "Individual Chapter 11 Cases: Desert Sanctuary or Prickly Pear Trap for the Debtor (and Counsel)?" 82nd Annual National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Annual Meeting Scottsdale, Arizona - August 2008.
· Presenter, "Frequent Issues in Real Property Transactions", Chicago Title West Tennessee Agency Training Seminar - October 2009.
· Presenter, "TOUSA and Clawback Claims", American Bankruptcy Institute Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop, Amelia Island, Florida - July 2010.
· Presenter, "Bankruptcy for High Net Worth Individuals", Mid-South Financial Planners Association - May 2010.
· Presenter, "Recent Developments in Chapter 11", Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference - December 2010.
· Presenter, "First Day Orders, Asset Sales and Absolute Priority Rule in Chapter 11", Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference - December 2010.
· Presenter, "The Great Debate Resolved: The Till Rate of Interest is Applicable in Chapter 11 Cases", University of Mississippi Conference on Bankruptcy Law - February 2011.
· Presenter, "Fraudulent Transfers and Preferences", American Bankruptcy Institute Memphis Consumer Bankruptcy Conference - May 2011.
· Presenter, "Issues to Avoid in Selling Assets in Bankruptcy - Due Diligence, Attacks on Sale Orders and the Barton Doctrine", United States Trustee Chapter 7 Trustee Training Seminar - August 2011.
· Presenter, "Bankruptcy for Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers", Federal Bar Association (W.D. Tenn.) Annual Federal Practice Seminar - October 2011.
· Presenter, "Court Approvals in Bankruptcy - Permission v. Pardon", Memphis Bar Association Annual Bankruptcy Seminar - October 2011.