Katherine T. Hopkins
BIOGRAPHY
Katherine T. Hopkins is experienced in a wide range of asset acquisitions, divestitures, financings and restructurings, primarily focusing on bankruptcy and business reorganizations. As a member of her firm’s Business Reorganization and Bankruptcy group, her representation includes creditors, debtors, chapter 11 trustees, liquidating trustees, equity stake-holders and other parties in interest across the spectrum.
Ms. Hopkins has developed extensive litigation experience in both federal and state court in litigation and contested matters largely related to creditor/debtor disputes, financial services and commercial litigation. Ms. Hopkins’ restructuring work has exposed her to a variety of industries and sections from retail, restaurant, manufacturing, banking, real estate, aviation, construction and oil and gas energy production companies.
In 2016, Ms. Hopkins received the esteemed Romina L. Mulloy-Bossio Achievement Award, to honor her service as an outstanding young bankruptcy lawyer. In polls conducted by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West, Ms. Hopkins was also voted by her peers as among the city’s best bankruptcy attorneys.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Hopkins served as a law clerk to the Honorable Ronald B. King, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge, Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division.
EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS
- Represented clients in multiple successful mediations, including representation of lenders in resolution of $12 million loan transaction and related causes of action
- Represented clients in out-of-court workouts, including substantial marketing and sale process
- Assisted in the successful reorganization of oil and gas companies through asset sale and reorganization in Chapter 11
- Assisted in the successful sale of national specialty food franchise and reorganization of affiliated regional restaurant franchise through Chapter 11
- Assisted in the successful reorganization and liquidation of equine-related entities in Chapter 11
- Represented Chapter 11 trustees in both business and individual cases
- Represented various creditors with secured and unsecured claims in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 cases
- Successfully defended clients in preference and fraudulent transfer actions
- Successfully represented clients in negotiating claims allowance and contract assumption in Chapter 11 cases
- Represented domestic airline in various restructuring, extensions, modifications of existing financing facilities and leasing transactions
AFFILIATIONS
- John C. Ford American Inns of Court, Barrister
- Vice President of Membership, 2020-2022
- Vice President of Programming, 2022-2024
- Secretary/Treasurer, 2018-2020
- International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation
- Outgoing Chair, 2023
- Board Chair, 2022
- Chair-Elect, 2021
- Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Young Bankruptcy Lawyers
- President, 2020
- President-Elect, 2019
- Treasurer, 2016-2017
- Membership Committee, 2014-2016
- Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Tarrant County Bar Association, Director, Place 3
- Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
- President, 2018
- President-Elect, 2017
- Treasurer, 2016
- Director, 2012-2016
- Turnaround Management Association, Board of Directors – Membership and NextGen Committees, 2021-2023
- Trinity Collaborative, Inc., Board of Directors, 2019-2024
- Finance Chair, 2023-2024
- Women’s Council for Tarrant County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Steering Committee, 2021-2023
- Tanglewood Elementary School Parent/Teacher Association, Board of Directors – Legal Advisor, 2023-2025
- Fifth Circuit, Bankruptcy Bench Bar Conference, Planning Committee Member, 2024
- Northern District of Texas, Bankruptcy Bench Bar Conference, Planning Committee Member, 2018, 2020
- Tarrant County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Law Section, Chair, 2016-2017
- Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, Mentor Program, Chair
- Texas Christian University Alumni Association
- DFW Association of Young Bankruptcy Lawyers, Co-Chair of Membership Committee
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
- Phi Delta Phi
HONORS
- Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2024
- 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice Recipient, American Bankruptcy Institute, 2023
- Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2017-2024
- Bankruptcy Law and Workout
- 40 Under 40 recipient, Fort Worth Business Press, 2022
- Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2015-2024
- Bankruptcy
- Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Outstanding Young Lawyer, 2020
- Selected to Participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Next Generation Program, 2019
- 10 Under 10 honoree, St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2019
- Romina L. Mulloy-Bossio Achievement Award Recipient, 2016
- Top Attorney less than five years in practice, Fort Worth Magazine, 2013-2014
- Bankruptcy
- John C. Ford American Inn of Court Rookie of the Year, 2013
EDUCATION
- St. Mary’s University School of Law, J.D., 2009
- Student Bar Association Class Senator, 2006-2008
- Board of Advocates, 2007-2009
- External Advocacy Program, Mock Trial Team, 2007-2009
- Judge Jack P. Miller Advocacy Award
- Texas Christian University, B.F.A., cum laude, 2006
- Mortar Board Honor Society
ADMISSIONS
- State Bar of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS
- Speaker, “Circuit Splits and Trends,” 43rd Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference, November 2024
- Speaker, “Lawyer as Provocateur?” Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference, March 2024
- Panelist “Careers in Bankruptcy,” State Bar of Texas Bankruptcy Section CLE, April 2023
- Panelist, “Recent Case Law Update,” Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Bench Bar Conference, June 2022
- Speaker, “Is the Earthquake Over or Should We Brace for Aftershocks?: Landlord-Tenant Bankruptcy and Lease Renegotiation Issues During and After Covid-19,” International Council of Shopping Centers U.S. Law Conference, October 2021
- Speaker, “The Landlord/Tenant Relationship Within the Bankruptcy Context,” Tarrant County Bar Association Brown Bag Webinar, November 2020
- Moderator, “The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019,” Webinar, June 2020
- Panelist, “Navigating the Waters of Business Bankruptcy in the Wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic,” Texas A&M University School of Law, May 2020
- Panelist, “Women at the Top: Shattering Glass Ceilings,” Texas Women Lawyers CLE Forum, August 2018
- Speaker, “Hearsay: Objections & Exceptions – Improving Their Effective Use in Contested Hearings,” CLE Presentation to John C. Ford American Inn of Court, May 2018