James Stang, a founding partner of the firm, has dedicated the better part of his forty years’ of restructuring practice to helping plaintiffs pursue their rights against institutions that file bankruptcy in an attempt to evade liability. He has represented close to twenty creditors’ committees in recent mass tort chapter 11 cases, and is frequently called upon when the stakes are high, including Boy Scouts of America, Weinstein Company, Takata, USA Gymnastics, and nineteen chapter 11 cases involving the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Stang has been featured in
The Wall Street Journal for his work on behalf of victims.
Jim is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, named in the Best Lawyers in America, and has been named “Super Lawyer” in the field of Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights every year since 2005. He was listed by Lawdragon as one of the 2020 “Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers.” He holds an AV Peer Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell‘s highest recognition for ethical standards and legal ability. He has lectured and written extensively on both bankruptcy and receivership issues. Jim is a graduate of UC Berkeley and received his J.D. from UC Hastings College of Law, where he was editor in chief of Hastings International and Comparative Law Review. Jim is admitted to practice in California and is resident in our Los Angeles office.
Publications
•Bankruptcy Mediation - Is it a Trap for the Unwary State Court Practitioner? CAALA Advocate Magazine, August 2025
•The Texas Two-Step: A Legitimate Federal Tool to Deal With Mass-Tort Claims Advocate Magazine, May 2024
•Your Client Filed for Bankruptcy: What Now? Plaintiff Magazine, June 2023
•“Boy Scouts Victims Urge Judge to Release Names of Abusers” ( Bloomberg, February 19, 2020)
•“Veteran of Catholic Chapter 11s Represents Weinstein Victims” ( Wall Street Journal, April 08, 2018)
•“Weinstein Creditors Hire Firm That Represented Catholic Church Abuse Victims” ( Variety, March 30, 2018)
•James Stang Articles ( National Catholic Reporter )
•Dollar Signs of the Cross ( UC Hastings Law, September 9, 2015)
•“An Unholy Dispute” ( Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal, October 02, 2007)
•“Assumption of Contracts and Leases: The Obstacle of the Historical Default,” 24 California Bankruptcy Journal 39 (1998)(addressing “going dark” provisions of car dealership agreements)
News
Bankruptcy Court Confirms Consensual Reorganization Plan for the Archdiocese of New Orleans
December 8, 2025
Bankruptcy Court Approves Disclosure Statement in Archdiocese of New Orleans Bankruptcy; Abuse Survivors Will Now Vote on Settlement Plan
August 12, 2025
Eighteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to the Lawdragon '500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers' Guide for 2025
LawdragonJune 27, 2025
PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers USA Guide
Chambers USAJune 5, 2025
PSZJ’s Representation of the Creditors’ Committee in Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco Case Covered by NBC Bay Area
April 16, 2025
Judge Authorizes Unprecedented Disclosure of Independent Review Board Minutes and Aggregated Claims Data in Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco Case
March 28, 2025
PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers Global Guide
Chambers GlobalFebruary 12, 2025
Archdiocese and Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Agree to Nonmonetary Provisions
November 7, 2024
PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
August 15, 2024
PSZJ, Six Attorneys Recognized in IFLR1000
IFLR1000July 31, 2024
Eighteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers for 2024
LawdragonJune 14, 2024
PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers Guides Chambers Global, Chambers USA
June 4, 2024
Survivors Overwhelmingly Reject the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre's Plan of Reorganization
April 12, 2024
Nineteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to 2024 Southern California “Super Lawyers” List
January 10, 2024
PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
August 17, 2023
Eighteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers for 2023
LawdragonJune 16, 2023
PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers Guides
Chambers Global, Chambers USAJune 1, 2023
Creditors' Committee Files Motion to Dismiss Diocese of Rockville Centre's Bankruptcy
March 28, 2023
Diocese of Rockville Centre Creditors Committee Files Amended Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement
February 6, 2023
Creditors' Committee Files Reorganization Plan for Diocese of Rockville Centre; Diocese of Rockville Centre Files Reorganization Plan in Response
January 27, 2023
Eighteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to 2023 Southern California’s “Super Lawyers” List
January 1, 2023
Bankruptcy Court Confirms Archdiocese of Santa Fe Plan of Reorganization Settling Hundreds of Sexual Abuse Claims
December 30, 2022
PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
August 18, 2022
James Stang and Robert Saunders Named 'Lawyers of the Year” in 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
August 18, 2022
PSZJ Continues to Rank Among Leading Law Firms in Prestigious Chambers Guides
Chambers USA, Chambers GlobalJune 1, 2022
Seventeen PSZJ Attorneys Named to 2022 Southern California’s “Super Lawyers” List
January 20, 2022
Fourteen PSZJ Attorneys Named to 2022 Lawdragon '500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers' Guide
LawdragonJanuary 14, 2022
Tort Claimants’ Committee for Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy Rejects Proposed Settlements
September 14, 2021
PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
August 19, 2021
Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among Leading Law Firms
April 25, 2019
Judge Walrath Approves Weinstein Co. Plan of Liquidation, PSZJ Lawyers Rep Committee
January 1, 2021
Nineteen PSZJ Attorneys Named 2021 Southern California “Super Lawyers”
January 1, 2021
Jim Stang’s Archdiocese of Santa Fe Church Abuse Case Covered in Associated Press, Various Outlets
December 11, 2020
United States Bankruptcy Court Issues Opinion in Jim Stang’s Archdiocese of Santa Fe Case
October 1, 2020
PSZJ Attorneys Named in 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
August 20, 2020
Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among Leading Law Firms
May 20, 2021
Jim Stang Quoted in Bloomberg Article Regarding Boy Scouts Abuse Victims
BloombergFebruary 19, 2020
Twenty-One PSZJ Attorneys Named 2020 Southern California “Super Lawyers”
January 15, 2020
Bloomberg Businessweek Article Highlights Jim Stang's Representation of Catholic Church Sex Abuse Victims
January 9, 2020
PSZJ Partner Jim Stang Appears on 'CBS Weekend News' to Discuss New York Child Victims Act
August 1, 2019
PSZJ Attorneys Named in Best Lawyers in America
August 15, 2018
James Stang Recognized in UC Hastings Law “Gamechangers” Issue
UC Hastings MagazineMay 23, 2019
Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among Leading Law Firms
April 23, 2020
Twenty-One PSZJ Attorneys Named 2019 Southern California “Super Lawyers”
January 30, 2019
Diocese of Great Falls-Billings Confirms Chapter 11 Plan
August 16, 2018
PSZJ Attorneys Named in Best Lawyers in America
August 15, 2019
Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among the Best Law Firms
June 8, 2017
Jim Stang Church Abuse and Weinstein Lawyer Featured in Wall Street Journal
April 1, 2018
Variety: Weinstein Creditors Hire Firm That Represented Catholic Church Abuse Victims
March 30, 2018
Twenty PSZJ Attorneys Named 2018 Southern California “Super Lawyers”
January 31, 2018
Thirty-Five PSZJ Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America
August 15, 2017
Prestigious Chambers Guides Again Rank PSZJ Among the Best Law Firms
May 7, 2018
James Stang Quoted Regarding Legal Options for USA Gymnastics
March 24, 2017
Eighteen PSZJ Attorneys Named 2017 Southern California “Super Lawyers”
January 25, 2017
Judge Confirms Diocese of Stockton Chapter 11 Plan
January 12, 2017
Nineteen PSZJ Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America
August 1, 2016
Dollar Signs of the Cross
October 1, 2015
Seventeen PSZJ Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America
August 17, 2015
Pachulski Stang Confirms Major Wins in Archdiocese of Milwaukee Sex Abuse Case
March 9, 2015
Thirteen PSZJ Attorneys Selected as Southern California Super Lawyers
Los Angeles magazineFebruary 1, 2015
Thirteen PSZJ Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America
August 1, 2014
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones: Five M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards
February 1, 2014
Ten Southern California Super Lawyers at Pachulski Stang
Los Angeles magazineFebruary 1, 2014
Abuse Victims' Committee Settles With Catholic Religious Order Operating Schools
May 24, 2013
American Suzuki Swiftly Glides to Plan Confirmation
March 6, 2013
Federal Religious Freedom Act Not Valid Defense to Bankruptcy Avoiding Actions
January 1, 2013
Eight Southern California Super Lawyers at Pachulski Stang
Los Angeles magazineJanuary 1, 2013
James Stang Interviewed by The Deal: Lessons for Penn State From Catholic Church Bankruptcies
The DealAugust 1, 2012
Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Emerges From Chapter 11, Sizable Trust Funded for Abuse Survivors
September 1, 2011
Court Approves Wilmington Diocese Plan
July 29, 2011
Pachulski Stang Selected to Represent Creditors in Christian Brothers Chapter 11 Cases
May 1, 2011
Committee of Abuse Survivors Reaches Settlement in Society of Jesus Chapter 11 Case
March 25, 2011
Bankruptcy Court Rules Large Investment Pool Is Property of Wilmington Diocese Chapter 11 Estate
June 1, 2010
Rhodes Emerges From Chapter 11
April 1, 2010
James Stang Named Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year
January 11, 2010
Pachulski Stang Selected as Committee Counsel in Jesuit Chapter 11
March 1, 2009
Eight Southern California Super Lawyers at Pachulski
Los Angeles MagazineMarch 1, 2008
How Plaintiffs Attorneys Successfully Challenged the San Diego Diocese
California LawyerOctober 1, 2007
Bankruptcy Judge Rules on Ownership of Property in Catholic Diocese Bankruptcy Case
September 9, 2005
Eleven PSZJ Attorneys Named to Lawdragon’s Leading Global Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers Guide
August 11, 2020
Events
The Rights of Children Victims to Justice
Child USA's Symposium on Children’s Rights and Justice Philadelphia, PA
November 5, 2025
What to Do If Your Client Has Filed Bankruptcy and Didn't Tell You
Beverly Hills Bar Association Zoom webinar
April 16, 2024
Accountability & Protection: Child Sexual Abuse Claims in Chapter 11
Child USA Los Angeles, CA
October 27, 2023
The Mystery of Official Committee Formation & Its Unique Governance Issues
2023 National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Austin TX
October 12, 2023
Turnaround Strategy in Sexual Abuse-Related Restructuring Cases
31st Annual TMA Conference Cleveland
September 25, 2019
Shark Tank
ABI Bankruptcy Battleground West Los Angeles
March 21, 2017
Chapter 11: Introduction-Filing to Confirmation
National Association of Attorneys General Training Institute: Bankruptcy From a Government Perspective Savannah GA
November 16, 2017
First Day Orders
National Association of Attorneys General Training Institute: Bankruptcy From a Government Perspective Savannah GA
November 14, 2017
Stayin' Alive-Business Development and Keeping Your Book Alive in a Slow Legal Environment
28th Annual California Bankruptcy Forum
May 21, 2016
Diocese and Religious Order Bankruptcies
American Bankruptcy Institute Winter Leadership Conference Phoenix
December 4, 2015
Preferences for Dummies
ABI Winter Leadership Conference
December 6, 2013
Priests and Penn State: Holding Institutions Accountable
2013 National Conference of National Center for Victims of Crime Phoenix
September 9, 2013
Where Is Bankruptcy Headed and How Could It Be Made Better
Credit Research Foundation Credit & Accounts Receivable Open Forum Marina Del Rey CA
March 20, 2012
Mass Tort Chapter 11 Cases
Northwest Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association Annual Cross-Border Conference Portland OR
September 9, 2011
The Catholic Church in Bankruptcy - Diocesan and Religious Order Chapter 11 Cases and the Lessons Learned
Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum
April 28, 2011
Mass Torts, Class Actions, and Other Issues That May Arise From the Gulf Oil Crisis
ABI Winter Leadership Conference Scottsdale AZ
December 1, 2010
The Role of Creditors Committees in Chapter 11
Credit Research Foundation Credit & Accounts Receivable Open Forum & EXPO Chicago
August 17, 2010
Strategies for Working With Your Customer in Chapter 11
CRF Credit & Accounts Receivable Open Forum Chicago
August 11, 2009
2005 NAPEO Legal & Legislative Conference
The New Reality: The Federal/State Connection Arlington VA
May 23, 2005
17th Annual California Bankruptcy Forum Conference
May 13-15 Westin Mission Hills Resort, Rancho Mirage CA
May 13, 2005
American College of Bankruptcy
Member, Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum Board of Directors (ex officio) Fellow: American College of Bankruptcy
Member, Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum Board of Directors (ex officio)
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
