John Higgins is a partner in the bankruptcy and litigation sections of Porter & Hedges, and has represented clients for over 20 years in numerous workouts and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in Texas and across the country. He is listed as one of America's leading lawyers in bankruptcy/restructuring by Chambers USA and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law, since 2004. Mr. Higgins was also listed as one of the state's leading lawyers in the Insolvency and Restructuring practice by Who's Who Legal: Texas in 2007 and 2008. In 2008 and 2009, Mr. Higgins was recognized as a Top Lawyer by Super Lawyers - Corporate Counsel Edition, and has been listed as a “Texas Super Lawyer” in Bankruptcy Law in Texas Monthly's annual surveys since 2003.  The Texas Monthly surveys have also named him as one of the Top 100 lawyers in the State of Texas in 2007 and 2009, and in the Houston Region from 2005 -2009.  Mr. Higgins' practice focuses on corporate reorganizations and restructurings and acquisitions. He has extensive experience in representing entities in their Chapter 11 cases and/or out of court restructurings/reorganizations, creditors' committees, Chapter 11 and 7 Trustees, and institutional and corporate creditors. His practice also includes general civil litigation in both federal and state courts.

Mr. Higgins serves on the board of directors of the Turnaround Management Association (Houston chapter), has served as an adjunct professor of bankruptcy law at the University of Houston Law Center and is a Certified Mediator (Attorney-Mediator Institute, January, 1996).

Representative Experience

• Debtor's counsel in the Chapter 11 cases of Philip Services Corporation, Continental Air Lines, Inc. (Continental I), General Homes Corporation (I and II), Community Health Computing Corp., Equalnet Communications Corp., TransCom USA Management, Inc., Texas Development Investors, Ltd., Contour Energy Co., Doctors Hospital 1997, LP., Easy Gardener Products, Ltd., and numerous others.
• Representation of secured creditors and debtor in possession lenders in the reorganizations of Dunhill Resources, Inc., Star Resources, Inc., Crutcher-Tufts Resources, LP, TEC Resources LLC, Resource Technology Corp. and numerous others.
• Representation of Equus Capital Management Corp. and affiliates as the postpetition lender and purchaser of substantially all of the assets in the Chapter 11 cases of Reliant Building Products, Inc., et al.
• Representation of numerous purchasers of assets including the bankruptcy cases of Enron Corp., et al., Calpine Corp., et al., Mirant Corporation, et al., Transcoastal Marine Service, Inc. and its affiliates, Encompass Services Corp. and TIC United.
• Counsel for the Chapter 11 trustee of the estates of Premiere Holdings of Texas, L.P. d/b/a Money Mortgage, Ltd. d/b/a Lapin & Wigginton, Ltd., MMCOA, LP and Lapin & Wigginton Funding, L.P.
• Counsel for Bridgeline Holdings, L.P., Contour Energy Co., and numerous other entities in the Enron Corp., et al.; and Entergy New Orleans, et al. bankruptcy cases.
• Counsel for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. in numerous bankruptcy cases.
• Representation of several energy companies in the Reichmann Petroleum Corp. and Freedom Pipeline, LLC bankruptcy cases.
• Counsel for numerous creditors in the reorganization cases of Rand Energy, Tri-Union Resources, Stages Stores, Inc., American Homestar, Pioneer Resources and Encompass Services Corporation.
• Representation of major energy company in connection with pre-filing and postpetition bankruptcy case of PG&E Corp., US Gypsum and LTV Steel.
• Representation of Liquidating Trustees in numerous cases including Jeff Compton as the Liquidating Trustee of McGinnis Partners Focus Fund, L.P., Russia Value Fund, LP, and McGinnis Global Fund, Ltd., W. Steve Smith as the Liquidating Trustee of Allied International Sales Corp.
• Served as Chapter 11 Trustee in several Chapter 11 cases.
• Representation of Plaintiff in an antitrust case involving the telecommunications industry.
• Representation of Defendant in a breach of contract and negligence case in the national gas pipeline industry.
• Representation of individuals in securities fraud action brought by the SEC.
• Representation of clients In re: National Gas Commodities Litigation.
• Representation of an ad hoc group of homeowners and club members in the Chapter 11 cases of Utah 7000, LLC, et al.

Professional / Civic Affiliations

• Martindale Hubbell AV Rated Attorney
• Member, Houston Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, Woodlands Bar Association
• Member, Board of Directors of the University of Houston Law Center Alumni Association (1999-2001)
• Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
• Member, Commercial Law League of America
• Member, Board of Directors of the Turnaround Management Association

News

• 2009 Texas Super Lawyers Announced (9/28/2009)
• 2010 Best Lawyers in America Announced (7/31/2009)
• 2009 Chambers USA Rankings Announced (6/30/2009)
• 2008 Super Lawyers Announced (9/17/2008)
• Firm Receives Chambers USA Recognition (6/11/2008)
• Attorneys Receive Local Recognition (6/9/2008)
• Porter & Hedges Receives Chambers USA Recognition (6/28/2007)
• 27 Porter & Hedges' Attorneys Named as 2006 Texas Super Lawyers (9/25/2006)
• 14 Porter & Hedges' Attorneys Named as Best Lawyers in America for 2007 (9/5/2006)

Publications

• Bankruptcy's "Free And Clear" Assets May Include Unwanted Luggage (2/6/2004)
• Management's Duties When A Company Faces Bankruptcy (6/6/2002)

Events

• "Mediation - When One Judge is Not Enough," The First Bankruptcy Bench/Bar Conference for the Southern District of Texas (11/1/2008)
• "Direct Appeals to the Fifth Circuit - A Change to the Bankruptcy Code" (2/27/2008)
• "Gas Sales and Purchase Contracts from a Producer's Perspective" (2/21/2008)
• "ISDA Master Agreements" (1/17/2008)
• "Rule 9019: Compromise of Controversies in Bankruptcy" (2/1/2007)
• "Preparing Corporate Defendants for Deposition," Houston Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Committee (10/1/2006)
• "Post-Confirmation Issues," Advanced Business Bankruptcy, State Bar of Texas (5/1/2006)
• “‘Give It To Me Now – Or Else’: Obtaining and Compelling Discovery, Including Privilege Issues,” Bankruptcy Litigation: Advanced Pre-Trial Practice and Procedure Workshop (1/1/2005)
• “Environmental Issues,” Advanced Business Bankruptcy, State Bar of Texas (5/1/2004)
• Panel Discussion on Debtor in Possession Financing - Debtor’s Counsel, Turnaround Management Association (2/1/2004)
• “Witness Preparation: Preparing the Witness for Direct and Cross-Examination,” Bankruptcy Institute, Houston Bar Association (2/1/2004)
• “Selected Pre-Bankruptcy Planning Issues for Corporate Chapter 11 Cases,” Advanced Business Bankruptcy, State Bar of Texas (5/1/2002)
• “Creditors’ Committee Rights, Obligations and Duties in Chapter 11 Cases,” Bankruptcy Law Conference (4/1/2002)
• “An Analysis of Preferential Transfers,” Bankruptcy Primer for Transaction Lawyers, State Bar of Texas (9/1/2000)
• “Ongoing Business with the Insolvent Organization,” Dealing with Insolvent Organizations: An Institute Series, State Bar of Texas (10/1/1989)
• “Creditors, Debtor and the Estate and Professionals: Eligibility and Fees,” Basic Bankruptcy in Texas, National Business Institute (2/1/1989)
• “Bankruptcy Law and Practice in Southern District of Texas,” Bankruptcy Law and Practice, Laredo-Webb County Bar Association (6/1/1987)
• Proofs of Claim, the Plan, Postpetition Disclosure, Confirmation,” How to Protect the Creditor’s Rights in Bankruptcy in Texas, National Business Institute (2/1/1987)
• “Bankruptcy for Legal Assistants and Attorneys,” Representing the Debtor in Chapter 11, State Bar of Texas (1/1/1986)