Thomas R. Phinney

tphinney@ffwplaw.com Direct: (916) 431-7047

Of Counsel

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Tom represents creditors and debtors in bankruptcy cases, restructurings, and commercial litigation. Tom has broad experience representing committees, bankruptcy trustees, institutional lenders, bond insurers, equipment lessors, and landlords in all phases of bankruptcy proceedings, bankruptcy litigation, appeals, and commercial litigation and collection.

Tom was selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer for the years 2014-2023, and is also recognized by Best Lawyers in America, and Sacramento Magazine. He is a member of the Conference Executive Committee for the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference (2020-2023). He was President of the California Bankruptcy Forum (2016-2017), was Co-Chair of the 2009 California Bankruptcy Conference, and he was President of the Sacramento Valley Bankruptcy Forum (2015-2016). He is a member of the Government Affairs Committee for the California Lawyer’s Association (2018-2023). Tom has received a peer review rating of “AV preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell. He is certified as a Business Bankruptcy Specialist by the American Board of Certification and certified as a Bankruptcy Law Specialist by the California State Bar. He is a writer for the American Bankruptcy Institute on recent 9th Circuit case developments. He is also a frequent speaker on bankruptcy and insolvency law issues.

Education

J.D. University of California, Davis 1991

B.A., University of California Santa Barbara, with Honors (1986)

Legal Memberships, Activities and Honors

Northern California Super Lawyer, 2014-2023.

Sacramento Business Journal 2015-2022 Best of the Bar Winner.

Peer review rating of “AV preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell.

Member, American Bankruptcy Institute, and Certified as an Expert in Business Bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy Law Specialist,

Certified by the California State Bar as a Bankruptcy Specialist.

Member, Conference Executive Committee for the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference (2019-2023)

Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative for the Eastern District of California (2016-2018), and Co-Chair of the Eastern District Conference Planning Committee (2018-2019).

President, California Bankruptcy Forum (2016-2017), and Chair of Pro Bono Project (2015-2016).

Member of the Governmental Affairs Committee of California Lawyers Association (2018-2023).

Member of the Executive Committee of the Business Law Section (2013- 2016), advisor (2017-2023).

Co-Chair Insolvency Law Committee, 2012-2013, part of the Business Law Section, now the California Lawyers Association.

President, Sacramento Valley Bankruptcy Forum (2015-2016 and 2004-2005).

Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative for the Eastern District of California (2016-2018), and Chair of the Eastern District Conference Planning Committee (2018-2019).

Treasurer, Historical Society for the Eastern District of California (2014 to present).

Co-Chair of the Insolvency Law Committee of the Business Law Section of the California State Bar (2012-2013), and member of the Insolvency Law Committee (2009-2012) (2001-2003).

Co-Chair of the 2009 California Bankruptcy Conference.

President of the Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section of the Sacramento County Bar (2003).

Member, Federal Bar Association.

Member, Business Law Section of the California State Bar.

Member, Sacramento Valley Bankruptcy Forum.

Member, Sacramento County Bar, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section.

Writer, Ninth Circuit Developments for the American Bankruptcy Institute (2004 – present).