Biography
Clay Taylor joined Kelly Hart & Hallman in 2005 and plays a vital role in the firm's Bankruptcy practice group. Mr. Taylor works with Michael McConnell, former bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, to service the firm's clients with the need for representation in bankruptcy. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Taylor specialized in representing creditors with troubled asset portfolios.
Mr. Taylor has represented creditors, debtors and parties-in-interest across the spectrum in both restructuring and bankruptcy arenas. Specifically, Mr. Taylor has represented over and under-secured lenders with collateral interests ranging from real property to equipment, as well as intangible property rights such as intellectual property. Mr. Taylor also has represented unsecured creditors, trustees, Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 debtors, debtors in workout situations, creditors in workout situations, bond-holders and committees. Mr. Taylor's representations have exposed him to a variety of industries and sectors from retail, manufacturing, banking, real estate and construction. Moreover, Mr. Taylor has developed expertise on the issues related to creditor/debtor relations and has negotiated and documented sales of assets and organizations, litigated issues in state court regarding debtor/creditor relations, conducted real and personal property foreclosures and has represented clients with lender liability issues.
Mr. Taylor is extensively involved in the local bankruptcy practice groups and associations and is the president-elect of the Dallas/Fort Worth Young Bankruptcy Lawyers Association. Mr. Taylor and his wife, Catherine, are the proud parents of Clayton, Caroline and Crawford. In addition to his practice and raising three young children, Mr. Taylor stays involved in his community through organizations such as Young Men for Arlington and First Presbyterian Church of Arlington.
Education & Honors
Texas A & M University, B.B.A., Management, 1997
Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D., 2001
Admission & Affiliations
Texas, 2001
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2003
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2001
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2002
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2002
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2002
President-Elect, Dallas/Fort Worth Young Bankruptcy Lawyers Association
John C. Ford Inn of Court
American Bankruptcy Institute
Dallas Bankruptcy Bar Association
Tarrant County Bankruptcy Bar Section
Texas Bankruptcy Bar Section
Tarrant County Bar Association
Dallas County Bar Association
Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
Dallas County Young Lawyers Association
Significant Matters
Led representation of Debtor whose primary assets were intellectual property rights in the field of laser correction of far sightedness. The case involved multiple bankruptcies in multiple states. The estate ultimately paid significant dividends to its creditors while allowing the Debtor's owners to acquire the relevant IP interests.
Led representation of group in formulating and implementing a plan of reorganization that led to the client's acquisition of over $9 million of assets (primarily real estate) out of a bankruptcy estate that had been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy for over 2 and a half years.
Lead attorney of a case with over $2 million in controversy that was appealed to the 5th Circuilt Court of Appeals after client won at both the trial level in bankruptcy court and on appeal to the district court. The 5th Circuit recently rendered an opinion affirming the lower court's rulings in all respects.
Gained a $1.4 million judgment for the client, a lender on the non-dischargeability of the debt after the guarantors (principals of the borrower) failed to disclose the failure of the borrower to comply with federal regulatory requirements essential to its continued business operations |