As Chairman, John Tishler leads the strategic focus of the firm. With a business-oriented eye, John follows trends in the marketplace, keeps a close watch on strategic decisions, and motivates the lawyers and staff of the firm to be happy and successful in their careers.
Clients and partners alike find John's pragmatic and decisive attitude and his approachable and genial manner a plus. John recognizes that the practice of law has become increasingly business-focused, yet it remains at its core a service industry. He strives to advance the business goals of the firm while cultivating and nurturing the human capital that support those goals.
An insolvency and restructuring attorney by trade, John speaks comfortably in both the transactional and litigation arenas. Attorneys and staff alike respect John for his fairness, sincerity, decisiveness, and humility.
Alternate Bios
Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring
Lenders and creditors depend on John Tishler's experience and perspective in leading complex transactions that involve insolvent or distressed parties. Whether acquiring assets from an insolvent company or facing their own financial distress, clients turn to John for creative and long-term solutions. Having over 20 years of experience, John offers clients strategic planning advice that doesn't come from a playbook. His tenacious attitude keeps him focused on finding options and answers.
An insolvency and restructuring attorney by trade, John deals comfortably in both the transactional and litigation arenas. His focus is on the following:
· Commercial litigation
· Corporate insolvency
· Creditor's rights
· Financial services
John's experience handling high-profile, complex cases includes serving as lead counsel for the largest creditor in the Service Merchandise bankruptcy and serving as lead counsel for the largest creditor in the Kmart bankruptcy.
Best Lawyers recognizes John for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and in Litigation - Bankruptcy.
Experience
· Represented the chief secured lender to Lexington Precision Corporation, a publicly traded company that manufactures medical devices and auto parts and filed bankruptcy in the Southern District of New York
· Assisted a client in the successful completion of the $150 million acquisition of a multi-location, tax-exempt acute care hospital entity
· Served as lead counsel to the largest holders of secured debt of Intrepid USA, which was one of the country's largest home health companies when it filed for bankruptcy protection in the District of Minnesota
· Represented the largest creditors in the Service Merchandise and K-Mart bankruptcies
· Represented The Garden Companies in their Chapter 11 cases in the Eastern District of Tennessee
· Represented the senior secured lender in Health Essentials Solutions' bankruptcy case in Kentucky
· Has successfully completed receivership sales in federal courts in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee for indenture trustee clients
Professional
· Member, Nashville, Tennessee and American Bar Associations
· Member, American Bankruptcy Law Institute
· President, Tennessee Chapter, Turnaround Management Association, 2003-2005
· Member, Advisory Committee on Rules of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Prior Affiliations
· Law Clerk, Honorable Julia Smith Gibbons, United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee, 1988-1989
· Sports News Coordinator, Texas A&M University, 1982-1984
· Associate Sports Information Director, University of Mississippi, 1980-1982
News/Events
ARTICLES
07.14.09, FINANCIER WORLDWIDE, "How to force the sale of assets owned by not-for-profit companies"
04.20.09, HEALTHLEADERS MEDIA, "How to Convert a Nonprofit Hospital to a Physician Joint Venture"
02.09.09, HEALTHLEADERS MEDIA, "Receiverships: A Practical (and Perhaps Less Expensive) Alternative to Bankruptcy"
MEDIA MENTIONS
08.24.11, Executive Profile: John Tishler, Nashville Business Journal
06.08.11, Tennessee Justice Center Names Waller Pro Bono Firm of the Year
EVENTS
08.21.09, Southeastern Banking Seminar
02.19.09, Distressed Healthcare Opportunities Symposium
PRESS RELEASES
09.01.11, Waller Lansden Diversity Scholarship Recipient Announced
Community
· Legal Counsel, Board of Directors, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.
· Board Member, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
· Board Member, Franklin Road Academy
Upclose
In a prior life, John worked in the sports information offices of Ole Miss and Texas A&M. His interest in sports continues, but when a game does not hold his attention, he turns to whichever biography is at the top of his reading list.