Professional Background

 

Crissie Stephenson assists companies and individuals in restructuring matters including Chapter 11 reorganizations, bankruptcy-related litigation and appeals as well as out of court restructuring all over Texas and in complex cases nationwide. 

Crissie has focused experience in the areas of healthcare and hospitality insolvency, having ushered many hotels and franchise owners, as well as healthcare centers, hospitals, cancer centers, skilled nursing facilities, and emergency care centers through the chapter 11 process. Crissie additionally successfully counsels high net worth individuals through difficult chapter 11s.

 

Professional Experience

  • Honorable Harlin D. Hale, 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
  • John C. Ford American Inn of Court, Barrister (2009 - 2018)
  • Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, Member
  • Turnaround Management Association, Board Member
  • 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
  • Pro Bono
  • Texas Appleseed, Appellate Briefing Attorney

 

Representative experience includes:

  • 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
  • Bankruptcy & Creditor's Rights
  • Healthcare Insolvency
  • Hospitality Insolvency
  • Real Estate