Phone: 404-954-9819
Fax: 404-681-1046
E-Mail: jchristy@swfllp.com
overview
With more than 25 years of professional legal experience, John Christy was named the managing partner of the firm in 2006. John represents clients in general litigation matters, including lender liability cases and Chapter 11 reorganizations; and represents property owners in the sale, acquisition and financing of commercial real estate. John was again recognized by Georgia Trend magazine as one of the state’s “Legal Elite” for 2008, a list of top attorneys determined by votes from lawyers across Georgia, and by Atlanta Magazine as one of the state’s “Super Lawyers” for 2008. This list of top attorneys is determined by peer recognition and professional achievement.
John has appeared as lead counsel in bankruptcy courts across the country, including successfully arguing bankruptcy appellate cases of first impression in the 5th and 11th Circuits as well as cases in numerous state and federal trial and appellate courts. He is recognized as an expert and innovator in the bankruptcy field. He serves as a frequent speaker at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association and privately-sponsored seminars.
practice areas
Business Litigation and Arbitration
Bankruptcy and Debt Restructuring
Commercial Real Estate
experience
- Represents a large marina operator in the acquisition and financing of marinas around the country.
- Represented the retired pilots of Delta Air Lines in New York.
- Represented the bondholders of a major hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, in the preparation and confirmation of a successful reorganization plan.
- Successfully represented numerous real estate partnerships in Chapter 11 proceedings.
- Led a North Georgia-based public company successfully through Chapter 11 reorganization.
- Represented the Official Partners' Committee, which consisted of several hundred former partners of the accounting and consulting firm Pannell, Kerr and Foster, in the successful bankruptcy reorganization of Madison Associates, Ltd. in Los Angeles.
- Represented Blue Thunder, a large trucking company in a Chapter 11 proceeding.
- Represented the Chapter 7 Trustee for Pike Nursery Holding, LLC.
- Obtained a favorable resolution for a large Atlanta-based construction company and its principals in financial restructuring matters and a dispute with a bonding company over its assertion of a $28,000,000 indemnity claim.
- Successfully defended multiple lender liability claims against a major insurance company in Florida.
- Represented the families of victims in the SwissAir 111 and the ASA Brunswick airline crashes.
education
Duke University, B.A., 1977, cum laude
Emory University School of Law, J.D., 1980
admitted
State Bar of Georgia
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
United States Tax Court
affiliations & memberships
Atlanta Bar Association
Lawyers Club
Old Warhorse Lawyers Club
Editor in Chief, Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law, 1980
Turnaround Management Association
martindale hubble rating
AV Peer Review Rated