James E. Van Horn

James E. Van Horn

Partner

James (Jim) Van Horn focuses his practice on restructuring and insolvency law as well as compliance and monitorships. He is a trusted adviser valued by clients for his practical, results-oriented approach and creative strategies in solving complex matters within the framework of their business goals. Jim is ranked as a Band 1 bankruptcy/restructuring attorney by Chambers USA and is named to The Best Lawyers in America.

Jim has deep experience working directly with senior management, investors, creditors and other stakeholders in matters ranging from out-of-court workouts, prepackaged and prearranged Chapter 11 reorganizations to cram down plans of reorganization and sales of substantially all assets. He is experienced in representing corporate debtors, secured creditors, asset purchasers, official committees of unsecured creditors, liquidating trustees, receivers, investors and other stakeholders, in bankruptcy courts and other courts throughout the United States. Additionally, Jim has experience serving on compliance and monitorship teams in conjunction with both transactional and litigation matters.

Chambers states that “Clients offer praise for his attention to detail and skill as a litigator,” and "Jim crafts nuanced strategies for each matter based on the surrounding circumstances and needs of his client. He is an outstanding advocate in court." Chambers also highlights that Jim “enjoys a strong reputation for his bankruptcy practice, which encompasses a wide range of insolvency law and financial restructuring work.”

Jim is a recognized leader of professional bankruptcy and restructuring organizations including serving as a member of the Turnaround Management Association Global Executive Board of Trustees and a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute Board of Directors. He is a national speaker at industry group conferences and quoted in national publications on bankruptcy and restructuring issues.

Jim holds an MBA in finance, is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor, and a Certified Valuation Analyst. Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Jim practiced with another nationwide law firm and was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business teaching corporate finance and restructuring. He was also a senior consultant in the Bankruptcy and Restructuring Services practice of FTI Consulting, Inc. and a senior associate in the Business Recovery Services division of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Credentials

Education

  • The Pennsylvania State University, B.A., 1995
  • University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, M.B.A., finance, 2000
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 2000

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Pennsylvania

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
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