James Zack focuses on bankruptcy, receivership, commercial litigation, and out-of-court workouts. He represents a wide array of constituents in complex corporate restructurings and insolvency matters, including financial institutions, secured and unsecured lenders, lessors, trade creditors, asset purchasers, intellectual property licensors and licensees, trustees, receivers, plan administrators, foreign insolvency representatives, and bankruptcy preference defendants.
Before joining the firm, James served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Brian D. Lynch and as a judicial extern to the Honorable Karen A. Overstreet, both of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington.
Chambers USA commends his delivery of "timely and pragmatic advice and representation." Another source shared, "James is a spectacular attorney who is very knowledgeable and highly responsive."
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
Washington State Bar Association, Creditor Debtor Rights Section
King County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Law Section
American Bankruptcy Institute
Turnaround Management Association
Western District of Washington Local Bankruptcy Rules Committee
Western District of Washington Chapter 11 Training and Mentorship Working Group
Recognition & Accomplishments
Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2020-2024
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights, Insolvency and Reorganization, 2021-2025
Thomson Reuters, "Washington Rising Star," Bankruptcy: Business, 2022-2024
The BTI Consulting Group, "Client Service All-Stars," 2020
Speaking Engagements
Presenter, “On Thin Ice: The Top 10 Sports-Related Bankruptcies,” 2023 TMA Cross-Border Conference, October 27, 2023
Presenter, “The Best Laid Plans: Understanding the Impact of Insolvency on Litigation,” Lane Powell Litigation Meeting, May 4, 2023
Presenter, “Bankruptcy Ethics,” Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS) Annual CLE, November 11, 2022
Presenter, “Cryptocurrency Assets in Bankruptcy,” myLawCLE, November 8, 2022
Presenter, “Cryptocurrency and Bankruptcy Law,” National Business Institute CLE, October 7, 2022
Board Memberships & Community Service
Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS), past President, 2022-2024
Seattle University School of Law 1L Mentorship Program
Conrad B. Duberstein National Bankruptcy Appellate Competition, Coach
Pro Bono Experience
King County Bar Association Debt Clinic, Volunteer Attorney
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. Brian D. Lynch, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, 2014-2016
Hon. Karen A. Overstreet, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, 2013
Publications
Co-author, “Consumer Financial Regulation: Washington,” Practical Law Finance, October 21, 2022
Credentials
Education
Seattle University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2014)
National Order of Barristers
Moot Court Board Member
Conrad B. Duberstein National Bankruptcy Appellate Competition, Semi-Finalist (2014)
Vanderbilt University (B.A. 2011)
Admissions
Washington
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
U.S. District Cour for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals