ROBIN PHELAN is an experienced attorney whose law practice is exclusively devoted to business insolvency, reorganization and related areas, including extensive litigation in the bankruptcy court and other federal courts. Robin previously spent 45 years at Haynes and Boone, LLP where he founded and built the firm’s bankruptcy practice.

Robin has been recognized by Chambers USA, Chambers & Partners, as one of the leading practitioners for Bankruptcy and Restructuring in the United States, 2008-2015, and in Texas, 2015. Chambers USA 2013 (Chambers & Partners), describes Robin as “an authority on bankruptcy and restructuring matters with a masterful presence in the courtroom.”

Mr. Phelan:

  • Represents debtors and creditors in all types of bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings ranging from sole proprietors to major publicly-held companies such as Zale’s, LTV, Hawaiian Airlines, Greyhound, Fruehauf, Enron, Adelphia, Idearc and Mirant.
  • Works with clients acquiring financially troubled businesses and has acted as an operating trustee in bankruptcy cases.
  • Represents the class action claimants in the Chapter 15 case of the largest bitcoin broker in the world.
  • Successfully reorganized an environmentally challenged manufacturer by creating liquidating trusts beneficially owned by the State of California.
  • Has consulted with representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Indonesia regarding amendments to the Indonesian Bankruptcy Law.
  • Structured multiple pre-negotiated Chapter 11 cases in connection with the largest insurance company reorganization in the United States.
EDUCATION & CLERKSHIPS
  • J.D., Ohio State University, 1970, cum laude
  • B.S.B.A., Accounting and Finance, Ohio State University, 1967
ADMISSIONS
  • Texas, 1971
  • Michigan, 1970
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
  • American Bankruptcy Institute, Former Director and Former President
  • American Bar Association
  • International Bar Association
  • College of the State Bar of Texas
  • American College of Bankruptcy
  • Dallas Bar Association, Former Chairperson of bankruptcy-related committees
  • State Bar of Texas, Former Chairperson of the Bankruptcy Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Former and current Chairperson of numerous committees
  • INSOL
  • International Bar Association
  • International Insolvency Institute, Delegate
  • John C. Ford American Inn of Court
  • Working Groups of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Laws
  • World Bank Working Group participant