The law firm of Baker Donelson has added James P. Roberts as a shareholder in the Firm's Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy Group. Mr. Roberts, who joins in the Firm's Birmingham office, has more than a decade of experience representing and advising major lending institutions, investors, and borrowers with respect to commercial loan restructurings, bankruptcies, workouts, and commercial foreclosures, as well as secured and unsecured lines of credit.
"James brings a valuable range of experience to our team, both in the financial services industry and beyond," said Eric L. Pruitt, chair of Baker Donelson's Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy Group and a shareholder in the Birmingham office. "His extensive background in complex bankruptcy, restructuring, and commercial litigation matters will significantly enhance our capabilities and expand the services we are providing to existing clients. We are thrilled to have him join us and look forward to the considerable contributions he will make to our Firm."
Previously a partner with Burr & Forman, Mr. Roberts has experience representing debtors, secured creditors, and plan administrators in Chapter 11 bankruptcies, Article 9 UCC sales, Section 363 sales, disorderly wind-downs, and litigation concerning preferences and fraudulent transfers.
In addition to his bankruptcy practice, Mr. Roberts has significant financial services litigation experience in both federal and state courts, particularly in fraud-related matters for bank clients involving allegations of check, wire, and electronic payments fraud. He has represented clients at all litigation stages in various bankruptcy courts, U.S. District Courts, and U.S. Courts of Appeal, as well as Delaware state courts. Mr. Roberts is licensed in both Alabama and Florida.
"Baker Donelson's bankruptcy and restructuring team has an outstanding reputation, and the national scope of this practice, as well as the Firm as a whole, was a primary consideration for a move in order to best serve my clients," said Mr. Roberts. "There is an exciting sense of momentum at Baker Donelson right now, and I'm looking forward to being part of the Firm's continued growth."
A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of California at Berkeley, Mr. Roberts volunteers with and is a former board member of Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Advent Episcopal School and is a mentor to the Bryan K. Fair Chapter of the Black Law Students Association at the University of Alabama and the Black Law Students Association at Cumberland School of Law. Mr. Roberts has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and has been selected to Mid-South Rising Stars since 2019.