Managing Bankruptcy Attorney (Debtor Side Experience Wanted) - Outstanding Firm Environment - Round Rock, TX, office
Position Summary
The Bankruptcy Attorney represents Texas cities, counties, appraisal districts, and other governmental taxing entities in bankruptcy proceedings to protect and enforce delinquent property tax claims. This position ensures governmental clients receive the maximum recovery permitted under the Bankruptcy Code by protecting statutory tax lien rights, preserving claim priority, and advocating for proper treatment of secured and priority tax claims throughout the bankruptcy process.
The attorney works closely with tax offices, appraisal districts, bankruptcy trustees, outside counsel, and firm staff to prepare and file proofs of claim, respond to contested matters, review bankruptcy plans, and represent governmental entities before the United States Bankruptcy Courts throughout Texas. This role also provides direct supervision, guidance, and support to a team of five Legal Assistants who assist with case administration, filings, and client service.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Represent Texas cities, counties, appraisal districts, and other governmental taxing entities in Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy cases.
- Review bankruptcy filings to identify delinquent ad valorem property tax accounts and protect governmental interests.
- Prepare, file, amend, and monitor proofs of claim on behalf of taxing authorities.
- Ensure claims accurately include delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, attorney fees (when applicable), and other amounts authorized by Texas law and the Bankruptcy Code.
- Protect statutory property tax liens established under the Texas Property Tax Code.
- Review Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 plans to ensure governmental claims receive treatment consistent with the Bankruptcy Code and applicable Texas law.
- Prepare objections to confirmation, objections to plan treatment, responses to claim objections, motions, and other pleadings necessary to protect governmental interests.
- Represent governmental clients in contested bankruptcy matters, hearings, mediations, and related proceedings.
- Negotiate with debtors’ counsel, trustees, and other parties regarding treatment of tax claims and lien rights.
- Monitor confirmed plans and distributions to ensure governmental entities receive payments as required.
- Conduct legal research involving the Bankruptcy Code, Texas Property Tax Code, lien priority, governmental creditor rights, and related federal and state law.
- Advise governmental clients regarding bankruptcy developments affecting tax collections and lien enforcement.
- Maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with all court deadlines and filing requirements.
- Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, operations staff, and five Legal Assistants to maximize recoveries for governmental clients.
- Supervise, train, assign work to, and provide ongoing guidance and feedback to the Legal Assistant team to ensure efficient workflow and high-quality case handling.
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in the State of Texas and good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
- Admission to, or eligibility for admission before, the United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas.
- Three or more years of bankruptcy experience, with preference for creditor rights or governmental representation.
- Strong knowledge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and Texas Property Tax Code.
- Experience preparing proofs of claim, litigating claim objections, and handling contested bankruptcy matters.
- Excellent legal research, analytical, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
- Demonstrated leadership ability and experience supervising or coordinating support staff preferred.
- Thorough understanding of creditor rights under the Bankruptcy Code.
- Working knowledge of Texas Property Tax Code provisions governing delinquent property taxes and tax liens.
- Ability to interpret and apply federal bankruptcy law alongside Texas tax collection statutes.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in preparing legal pleadings.
- Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
- Exceptional organizational and time management abilities.
- Ability to independently manage a substantial caseload while meeting strict filing deadlines.
- Commitment to providing responsive, high-quality legal service to governmental clients.
- Strong leadership, delegation, and team management skills.
- Ability to effectively supervise and support a team of five Legal Assistants.
Success in this role will be measured by:
- Timely and accurate filing of bankruptcy proofs of claim.
- Protection and preservation of governmental tax lien rights.
- Maximization of recoveries for Texas taxing authorities.
- Successful defense of governmental claims in contested proceedings.
- Compliance with federal bankruptcy deadlines and procedural requirements.
- Accurate legal analysis and effective communication with governmental clients.
- Efficient case management and collaboration with firm staff.
- Effective supervision and development of the five Legal Assistants reporting to this position.
- Maintenance of strong professional relationships with clients and stakeholders.
The position comes with a full (phenomenal) benefits suite: full health insurance paid for employee and all dependents (full family), 401k match at 25%, options for dental, vision, etc. exceptionally generous holidays/PTO.
Additional to base salary are annual bonuses, based on performance. Yearly performance reviews are conducted and salary increases are applied based on merit.
The firm has a shareholder track, with conversations starting after a few years of outstanding performance.
Billable hours: No requirement for this position.
The position is in-office. The office is a relaxed and collegial work environment - blue jeans is ok for average days at the office, with Sunday best reserved for court or client meetings, simply dressing professionally, but blue collar on a regular basis, is all good.
Excellent work/life balance. Highly stable and steady environment, with great colleagues and support, outstanding benefits packages, holidays and growth opportunities.
To Apply: must have 2-7 years' experience in debtor-side bankruptcy law, be licenced to practice law in the State of Texas, in good standing with the Texas bar, and able to work in-office in Round Rock, TX, Monday-Friday.
An Equal Opportunity Employment.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience if you are qualified and interested in applying for this position, either via phone/text (605) 610-1227, or email nina.shock@gogpac.com.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.
GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.
