Overview
Originally from Alabama, Jim Thurman practices in Lugenbuhl’s New Orleans office, where he works primarily with the firm’s Bankruptcy and Commercial Groups. Jim regularly represents corporate and individual clients across some of the most important industries in the Gulf Coast region, including the energy and hospitality sectors. Jim’s practice has involved everything from recovering a fleet of excavators lost in the Texas oilfields to successfully arguing before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Outside the Office:
When not spending time with his two young children, Jim enjoys boxing, watching classic 1980s tv shows, and yes, cheering on the Crimson Tide.
- Puerto Rico Fast Ferries LLC v. SeaTran Marine LLC (D.P.R. 21-1294): Represented the defendants in a multimillion dollar breach of contract action and obtained dismissal with prejudice for failing to state a claim; currently on appeal before the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
- E.N. Bisso & Son, Inc. v. Bouchard Transportation (E.D. La. 19-14666 and 19-14765): Seized multi-million dollar vessels in companion cases seeking enforcement of a lien for necessaries provided by a local tugboat company and obtained full recovery for the client.
- In re Ton (Bankr. E.D. La. 18-11101): Successfully appealed an adverse ruling by a bankruptcy court partitioning a debtor’s former community property and confirmed a liquidation plan that released our client from millions in alleged liabilities, which was ultimately affirmed by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2023.
- McManigle vs. International Snubbing Services, LLC (Bankr. S.D. Tex. Adv. No. 19-3344): Represented an oil and gas service provider in an action by a bankruptcy trustee to recover $1.3 million, transferring and settling the matter for approximately 25% of the demand amount by raising a novel defense of indirect transfer for the new value.
Professional
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- Alabama State Bar Association
- New Orleans Bar Association
- Birmingham Bar Association
- Turnaround Management Association, Next Gen Chair
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (2021-2024)
- Super Lawyers: Rising Stars (2020-2024)
- Lawdragon 500: X-Generation – Bankruptcy (2024)
- Inside New Orleans Reader’s Favorite “Elite Lawyers” (2022-2023)
- New Orleans Magazine “Top Lawyers” (2023)
