Al Durham has moved to an Of Counsel role with the firm. He continues to represent debtors in business workouts and financial reorganizations and trustees, debtors, creditors, and statutory committees in business bankruptcies under Chapter 7 or 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. A substantial part of his practice focuses on restructuring financing and/or operations outside a formal court proceeding for financially distressed business entities. He has appeared in Bankruptcy Courts in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Delaware.
Mr. Durham has been a speaker for seminars sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association, the Mecklenburg County Bar, and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.
HONORS AND AWARDS
The Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy), 1996-2021
Business North Carolina magazine’s “Legal Elite” (Bankruptcy), 2003-2014, 2018
North Carolina Super Lawyers (Bankruptcy), 2006-2024, Charlotte Top 25 (2014-2016), North Carolina Top 100 (2006-2009, 2012-2017)
Named as a “Leading Lawyer” in North Carolina (Bankruptcy & Reorganization) by Chambers U.S.A., 2010-2019
Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
North Carolina Bar Association Bankruptcy Section – Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016
North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization – Sara H. Davis Excellence Award, 2016
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 1987-2017
Certified Specialist in Business Bankruptcy Law, American Board of Certification, 1993-2017
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
In re The Thaxton Group, Inc., et. al., Case No. 03-13183 (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware) — Represented 31 related debtors in the orderly liquidation of the assets of selected debtors and in reorganizing the consumer finance business of other debtors through a confirmed Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.
In re HomeGold, Inc. and HomeGold Financial, Inc., Case Nos. 03-3864 and 03-3865 (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of South Carolina) — Represented a publicly traded holding company with a wholly owned subsidiary that operated as a specialty finance company primarily engaged in the business of originating, selling, and servicing sub-prime first- and second-lien residential mortgage loan products and in obtaining confirmation of a joint Chapter 11 plan with a related debtor.
In re Saber Cargo Airlines, Inc., Case No. 03-32283 (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of North Carolina) — Served as counsel for the debtor in Chapter 7 filing for regional cargo airlines.
In re GS Industries, Inc., et. al., Case No. 01-30319 (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of North Carolina) — Served as local counsel to the Creditors Committee in related cases involving a leading producer of special steel products, mainly wire rods used in the automotive, construction, and consumer applications industries, and grinding products and mill liners used in the worldwide mining industry. Assisted in the orderly wind up of their business affairs, strategic sales, and confirmation of several Chapter 11 plans.
The cases mentioned above are illustrative of the matters handled by the firm. Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Not all results are provided, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Former Member, Panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina
North Carolina Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section, Member; Chairman, 1990-1991
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Former Member, Local Rules Committee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Former Member, Bankruptcy Specialization Committee for the North Carolina State Bar
