Main Menu Main Content
Photo of James C. Thoman

James C. Thoman

Partner; Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Commercial Litigation Practice Co-Leader
Related Info
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York 
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York 
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York 
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

State University of New York at Geneseo, B.A., cum laude

University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., cum laude

Jim specializes in representing clients in restructuring and insolvency, secured lending and syndicated finance, security enforcement and equipment finance related matters.

Jim has more than 19 years of experience in the litigation of matters relating to insolvency and banking matters. He represents financial institutions, bankruptcy trustees, corporate debtors and directors of insolvent corporations, particularly in proceedings under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Jim also has extensive experience with distressed debtors, advising both financial institutions and other lenders on debt restructuring, debtor in possession financing, workouts and sales of distressed assets.

In addition to his insolvency practice, Jim has an active transactional practice, focusing on representing lenders and borrowers in both domestic and cross-border situations. He represents financial institutions, trust companies and factors as well as asset based lenders and borrowers. Jim is active in representing real estate developers in mortgage finance transactions. He provides advice on all aspects of personal property security.  

Honors

  • Listed, Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law) 2018 - 2024
  • Greater Syracuse 40 Under Forty Award, 2008
  • Thomas E. Headrick Award in Corporate Finance, SUNY Buffalo Law School 

Experience

  • In re Agway, Inc.; Case No. 02-65872: Jim represented the debtor and subsequently appointed liquidating trustee in a chapter 11 liquidation of one of the largest agricultural cooperatives in the Northeast. 
  • In re Paul Rosa, Inc. d/b/a Rosa’s Home Stores, a/k/a Rosa’s Superstores, a/k/a Rosa’s Home Center; Case No. 10-15205: Jim  represented secured creditor in a Chapter 11 liquidation.
  • In re Crawford Furniture Manufacturing Corporation; Case No. 11-12945 and In re Crawford Furniture Retail Outlet, Inc.; Case No. 11-12946: Jim represented a secured creditor in a Chapter 11 liquidation.
  • In re TLC Health Network; Case No. 13-13294-CLB: Jim represented an affiliated hospital in providing debtor-in-possession (DIP) lending facility.
  • In re Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation; Case No. 12-43503-CEC: Jim represented PNC Bank in connection with post-petition lender in chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy. 
  • In re Tonawanda Coke Corp.; Case No. 18-12156-MJK: represented chapter 11 debtor facing complex environmental and toxic tort claims in liquidating assets and resolving administrative claims of Environmental Protection Agency.

Publications

Presentations & Events

Professional Associations

  • Member, Upstate New York Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association

  • New York State Bar Association, co-chair of the Committee on Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Litigation

  • Former chair, Bar Association of Erie County Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Committee
  • Former trustee, Central New York Bankruptcy Bar Association

Community & Pro Bono

Jim is a member of Credit Abuse Resistance Education (C.A.R.E.) and educates high school students on responsible use of credit cards and avoidance of bankruptcy.