James J. Lee
Trammell Crow Center
2001 Ross Avenue
Suite 3900
Dallas, Texas 75201
Bankruptcy litigation has an interesting, complex, ever-changing dynamic because the various parties are not always aligned on every issue. There’s a sense of urgency because resolution of the matters in dispute have consequences for the overall bankruptcy case. That’s what gets me excited about the work. With more than 40 years’ experience, Jim Lee is a pioneer in his field. Jim began his career as a general commercial litigator in the 1970s, but after repeatedly collaborating with bankruptcy attorneys, pursued what was then considered a novel path: building a practice that combined his skills as a litigator with his deep knowledge of bankruptcy law.
Since then, Jim has litigated a broad range of contested matters and adversary proceedings, including fraudulent transfers, automatic stay relief, cash collateral arrangements, valuation contests, tax claims, termination of exclusivity, lien priority disputes, avoidance actions and objections to plan confirmation. He has worked with an array of industries, with significant experience in real estate banking and financial services, telecom and energy, and has represented both plaintiffs and defendants at all levels of the judiciary system across the country.
While Jim’s practice focuses primarily on corporate bankruptcy, he has also represented the debtor in one of the largest individual bankruptcy cases in the country. In addition, he has continued to handle an array of complex commercial litigation matters, including contract disputes, securities fraud, partnership and corporate governance disputes, and various business torts.
Jim is board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. His work has been recognized by numerous publications, including Chambers USA, where a client praised him as “a seasoned attorney whose strength is his ability to navigate the complex issues of a case” (2019).
Experience Highlights
Riverstone Holdings LLC, its portfolio company, Talen Energy Corporation (TEC), and TEC’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cumulus Growth Holdings LLC in the chapter 11 cases of TEC’s wholly-owned subsidiary Talen Energy Supply, LLC, which involved key settlements that paved the way for a consensual reorganization of Talen’s legacy power generation business and the Cumulus data center and cryptomining growth initiatives and allowed Riverstone to retain material equity positions in both TEC and Cumulus Growth
Navistar, Inc., a manufacturer of international-branded trucks and diesel engines, in the defense of fraudulent transfer litigation brought by the Plan Trustee of the Liquidating Trust of Tango Transport LLC
A chapter 11 trustee of Innovation Communications Company, LLC and its affiliates, a public telephone company, in the liquidation of its business and pursuit of claims against prior management
A privately held family of energy companies against claims of liquidating a trust for bankruptcy
A private equity firm as sole secured lender in the chapter 11 proceeding of Harvest Oil & Gas, LLC, et.al., an exploration and production company
The liquidating trust of Penson Worldwide, Inc, et.al., a bankrupt financial services firm, in litigation against former officers and directors
A chapter 11 debtor in multiple adversary proceedings tied to the liquidation of its telecom business, Vartec Telecom, Inc.
Wells Fargo as administrative agent for a $120 million syndicated lender group in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Emerald Oil, Inc., et al. filed in Delaware Bankruptcy Court
A chapter 11 debtor, Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. et.al., in confirming plan of reorganization over the objection of the Official Equity Holders Committee
The largest secured lender in series of contested bankruptcy matters of Trammell Crow Holdings, ultimately resulting in confirmation of that creditor’s plan of liquidation
A syndicated bank group as secured creditors in various contested matters in the bankruptcy of their manufacturer borrower, Nukote
A secured lender group in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Gulf Coast Holdings, Incorporated d/b/a Unidynamics, Incorporated, a defense company, filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas
Defense of a class action securities fraud lawsuit on behalf of Darling Delaware Co., including the restructuring of the company’s capital via a non-opt-out class action settlement
Defense of a fraudulent transfer action against a hedge fund investor
Defense of a fraudulent transfer claim against “fund of funds” by a receiver for a failed hedge fund
An automated baggage system manufacturer in litigation arising out of the construction of Denver International Airport
A large manufacturing concern in a suit against a competitor and former employee for theft of trade secrets
The sole secured creditor in litigation to enforce a tax sharing agreement between bankrupt borrower and its parent
Affiliated debtors-in-possession in the defeat of a bank syndicate’s request for stay relief, while securing the use of banks’ cash collateral
Credentials
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1976
- Tulane University, B.A., 1973
- Chambers USA, Bankruptcy Law and Litigation, 2004–2006; Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Texas), 2007–2024
- Legal 500 U.S., Bankruptcy: Southwest, 2009
- Legal Media Group’s (Euromoney‘s) Guide to the World’s Leading Insolvency & Restructuring Lawyers, 2010
- The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization, 2006−2018, 2020, 2021, and 2025; Litigation-Bankruptcy, 2011−2018, 2020, 2021, and 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – Bankruptcy (Dallas/Fort Worth), 2020
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2003−2020 and 2022
- National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals (Law Business Research Ltd.), 2005–2006
- United Cerebral Palsy Victory 100 Award; Outstanding Service Individual (benefitting United Cerebral Palsy); United Cerebral Palsy’s Chairman’s Award
- Vinson & Elkins LLP Community Service Award
- Member: American Bar Association; Dallas Bar Association; American Bankruptcy Institute; Turnaround Management Association
- Life Member, Board of Directors, and Past Chair: Ability Connection Texas (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of North Texas)
- Fellow: Litigation Counsel of America
- Member: Dean’s Council, Alumni Council (former), University of Virginia School of Law
- Member: Dean’s Advisory Council, Newcomb-Tulane College of Tulane University
- Texas
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Claims
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
- Rankings & AwardsJune 6, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsJune 1, 2023
- InsightMarch 12, 2023
V&E Restructuring & Reorganization Update
- Rankings & AwardsJune 1, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsMarch 29, 2022
- “Hot Topics in Fraud,” 33rd Annual Bankruptcy & Restructuring Conference, Dallas, Texas, June 9, 2017 (panelist)
- “Alphabet Soup of Receivership and Similar Proceedings,” 30th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference, Austin, Texas, 2011 (Author/Speaker)
- “Evidence Jeopardy,” The University of Texas School of Law’s Bankruptcy Litigation: Advanced Pre-Trial Practice and Procedure Workshop, Dallas, Texas, 2009 (Author/Speaker)
- “Hooking the Catch – Top Ten Issues for the Texas Litigator in DIP/Cash Collateral,” The University of Texas School of Law’s Bankruptcy Litigation: Advanced Pre-Trial Practice and Procedure Workshop, Austin, Texas, 2006 (Panelist)