Associate Attorney (Bankruptcy)

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Bankruptcy Associate Attorney to represent creditors in consumer and commercial bankruptcy matters and support a growing creditors’ rights practice.

The attorney will manage an assigned caseload, protect creditor interests throughout bankruptcy proceedings, provide legal guidance to clients and internal teams, and ensure matters are handled accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable federal and local bankruptcy requirements.

The ideal candidate has strong bankruptcy knowledge, practical legal judgment, experience handling bankruptcy hearings, and the ability to manage a high-volume caseload while providing responsive client service.

Key Responsibilities

Bankruptcy Case and Portfolio Management

Manage an assigned portfolio of creditor bankruptcy matters from referral through resolution, including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 proceedings, as applicable.

Review bankruptcy petitions, schedules, statements, plans, claims, notices, motions, court orders, and docket activity to identify issues affecting client rights, lien positions, collateral, or recovery.

Develop and implement case strategies consistent with applicable law, client instructions, investor requirements, court rules, and firm procedures.

Monitor bankruptcy dockets and deadlines, ensuring that important developments are identified and addressed promptly.

Maintain accurate and timely updates in firm and client systems, including case status, hearing results, deadlines, legal analysis, and next steps.

Identify and escalate significant legal, compliance, client, deadline, or reputational risks to the appropriate leadership.

Pleadings, Claims, and Contested Matters

Draft, review, revise, and file motions for relief from stay, objections to confirmation, objections to claims, responses to midterm audits and final cures, proofs of claim, notices, declarations, briefs, stipulations, proposed orders, and other bankruptcy pleadings.

Represent creditors in contested matters and adversary proceedings involving lien rights, claim treatment, dischargeability, avoidance actions, valuation, plan treatment, automatic stay issues, and other matters affecting creditor interests.

Evaluate Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 plans and recommend objections, negotiated treatment, or other appropriate action.

Review payment histories, loan documents, security instruments, assignments, title information, escrow records, fees, advances, and other supporting documentation to establish and protect creditor claims.

Negotiate resolutions, stipulations, adequate-protection arrangements, plan treatment, and other case-specific outcomes consistent with client authority and applicable law.

Hearings and Court Representation

Attend bankruptcy hearings, status conferences, mediations, evidentiary proceedings, trials, and other court appearances as required.

Prepare for hearings by reviewing dockets, pleadings, evidence, client objectives, anticipated arguments, and requested relief.

Coordinate with local appearance counsel when needed, providing clear instructions and supporting materials.

Communicate hearing results, deadlines, and required follow-up actions promptly to clients and internal teams.

Ensure appropriate coverage for assigned hearings and court obligations.

Legal Review, Quality, and Staff Support

Review, audit, edit, and approve bankruptcy work prepared by paralegals and other support staff before submission to clients or courts, as appropriate.

Provide legal guidance to bankruptcy staff regarding procedural requirements, deadlines, and case strategy.

Maintain and update state-, district-, and judge-specific templates and guidance as needed.

Train and support attorneys, paralegals, and other staff on bankruptcy procedures, recurring legal issues, and client requirements.

Participate in quality reviews, client audits, corrective action planning, and process-improvement initiatives.

Client Service and Legal Research

Serve as a legal point of contact for assigned bankruptcy matters and respond promptly to client questions, escalations, and requests for legal analysis.

Explain legal risks, options, recommendations, and case developments in practical terms.

Research federal bankruptcy law, applicable state law, local bankruptcy rules, standing orders, and judge-specific requirements.

Monitor significant legal and procedural developments and recommend updates to practices, templates, training, and workflows.

Record billable hours and other required attorney activity accurately and promptly.

Participate in client meetings, internal meetings, continuing legal education, and professional development activities.

Perform other legal responsibilities as assigned by firm leadership.

Required Qualifications

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Active bar license in good standing in at least one of the following states: California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, or Washington.

Minimum of 5 years licensed to practice law in at least one of the qualifying states listed above.

Experience representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, preferably mortgage lenders, servicers, financial institutions, investors, or other secured creditors.

Admission to the applicable U.S. Bankruptcy Court or ability to obtain the required federal court admissions.

Strong working knowledge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, local bankruptcy rules, and creditor remedies.

Ability to manage a high-volume caseload, competing deadlines, court appearances, and client reporting requirements with limited supervision.

Strong legal research, analytical, drafting, negotiation, advocacy, and oral communication skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams, Adobe Acrobat, legal research platforms such as Westlaw, electronic court filing systems, and time-billing or case-management software.

Preferred Qualifications

Substantial experience representing mortgage servicers, lenders, banks, credit unions, investors, trustees, or other institutional creditors in bankruptcy matters.

Experience handling Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13, including motions for relief from stay, plan objections, proofs of claim, contested matters, and adversary proceedings.

Experience with mortgage default servicing, foreclosure, title, real property, loss mitigation, or related creditors’ rights matters.

Experience supervising, training, or reviewing the work of paralegals, legal assistants, or junior attorneys.

Admission in multiple states where the firm practices, or willingness and ability to obtain additional federal court admissions as business needs require.

Work Environment

The position may be based in Dallas, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; or Temecula, California, or may be performed remotely.

The role requires regular computer, keyboard, and telephone use, with occasional travel to court or other business locations. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.