Founding Partner
13155 Noel Road
Suite 900
Dallas, TX 75240
Crissie Stephenson provides legal counsel to corporations and individuals in matters of restructuring and liquidation, including complex Chapter 11 proceedings, bankruptcy-related litigation and appeals, as well as out-of-court restructuring throughout Texas and across the nation.
With a specialized focus on healthcare, retail, and hospitality insolvency, Crissie has successfully guided numerous landlords, hotels, and franchise owners, along with healthcare centers, hospitals, cancer treatment facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and emergency care centers through the Chapter 11 process. Furthermore, she offers her counsel to high net worth individuals navigating the complexities of challenging Chapter 11 situations.
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Professional Background
Professional Experience
- Honorable Harlin D. Hale (Retired), U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Extern (2006)
Education
Southern Methodist Dedman School of Law
Dallas, Texas
J.D., 2006
Honors:
Cum Laude, Chief Counsel, SMU Civil Clinic
Dean’s List, Dean’s Scholarship Recipient
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
M.A., Communication, 2002
Honors:
Summa Cum Laude, Emma Alexander Award
University of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
B.A., 2000
Honors:
Summa Cum Laude, President’s List, Dean’s List
Admissions
- Texas, 2006
- Professional Associations & Memberships
- Dallas Bar Association
- International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation, Board Member
- John C. Ford American Inn of Court, Barrister (2009 – 2018)
- Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, Member
- Turnaround Management Association, Board Member
Representative Transactions
Representative experience includes:
- Representation of International Cosmetic Company
- Confirmed Chapter 11 Plan for Texas Hospital and publicly traded parent company, assisting clients with hospital closure and plan administration
- Successful 363 sale of physician-owned hospital inside Chapter 11 resulting in maintained hospital operations, patient care and safety, and continued employment options for hospital staff
- Confirmed Chapter 11 Plan for large scale restaurant franchisee owner
- Confirmed Chapter 11 Plans for 20+ Hotel SPEs.
- Representation of physician practices in partner practice acquisitions
- Representation of high net worth individuals in
- Confirmed Chapter 9 Plan of Reorganization for Texas municipality
- Prosecuted discharge/dischargeability litigation to judgment for creditor clients, then defended judgment on appeal through the 5th Circuit
- Successful defense of alleged debtor in involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, including attorneys’ fees award
- Representation of Native American tribes in real estate and financial transactions
Areas of Practice
- Retail Landlord Representation
- Bankruptcy & Creditor’s Rights
- Healthcare Insolvency
- Hospitality Insolvency
- Real Estate
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Published Works
- “All Aboard the Sub V Train: Faster, Cheaper Relief for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress” Oklahoma Bar Journal December 2023.
- “Intellectual Property Issues,” The Bankruptcy Handbook for Franchisors and Franchisees, American Bar Association (2018)
- “Exxon Mobil v. SABIC and the Corseting of Rooker-Feldman,” Federal Bar Association Newsletter (March 2006)
- “The Impact of BAPCPA on Homestead Exemptions: Is the Party Over?” Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Seminar (June 2006)
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, “Circuit Splits in Bankruptcy 2018: Key Decisions Distinguishing the Fifth Circuit from Other Circuits in Business Bankruptcy,” 37th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference, Austin, Texas, November 16, 2018
- Texas Appleseed, Appellate Briefing Attorney
- Pro Bono