Jim has deep experience working directly with senior management, investors, creditors and other stakeholders in matters ranging from out-of-court workouts, prepackaged and prearranged Chapter 11 reorganizations to cram down plans of reorganization and sales of substantially all assets. He is experienced in representing corporate debtors, secured creditors, asset purchasers, official committees of unsecured creditors, liquidating trustees, receivers, investors and other stakeholders, in bankruptcy courts and other courts throughout the United States. Additionally, Jim has experience serving on compliance and monitorship teams in conjunction with both transactional and litigation matters.
Chambers states that “Clients offer praise for his attention to detail and skill as a litigator,” and "Jim crafts nuanced strategies for each matter based on the surrounding circumstances and needs of his client. He is an outstanding advocate in court." Chambers also highlights that Jim “enjoys a strong reputation for his bankruptcy practice, which encompasses a wide range of insolvency law and financial restructuring work.”
Jim is a recognized leader of professional bankruptcy and restructuring organizations including serving as a member of the Turnaround Management Association Global Executive Board of Trustees and a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute Board of Directors. He is a national speaker at industry group conferences and quoted in national publications on bankruptcy and restructuring issues.
Jim holds an MBA in finance, is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor, and a Certified Valuation Analyst. Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Jim practiced with another nationwide law firm and was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business teaching corporate finance and restructuring. He was also a senior consultant in the Bankruptcy and Restructuring Services practice of FTI Consulting, Inc. and a senior associate in the Business Recovery Services division of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Professional and Community Involvement
Global president, Turnaround Management Association (TMA)
Vice president of conferences, Executive Board, Turnaround Management Association (TMA)
Member, Pro Bono Compassionate Release Program, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs
Vice president, Education, and Executive Board member, Turnaround Management Association (TMA) Global Executive Board of Trustees
Board of directors member, American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI)
Member, ABI Advisory Board, Georgetown Views from the Bench Conference
Member, ABI Advisory Board, Delaware Views from the Bench Conference
Member, ABI Mid-Atlantic Endowment Committee
Former co-chair, ABI Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Conference
Former co-chair, TMA Global Awards Committee
Former global chair, TMA Chapter Resource and Response Committee
Former global vice president of Membership, TMA
Former president, TMA Chesapeake Chapter
Former president, TMA Pittsburgh Chapter
Member, Bankruptcy Bar Association for the District of Maryland
Member, Walter Chandler American Inn of Court
Global vice president for education, 2020 TMA Executive Board
Honors
Chambers USA, 2015-2024
The Best Lawyers in America, 2018-2025
Maryland Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2012
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2007-2008
Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers, 2020-2023