Christopher T. Caplinger

Senior Counsel

New Orleans

Biography
Experience
News & Insights
Blog Posts

"As a certified Business Bankruptcy Law Specialist by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, I have extensive experience representing debtors, creditors, and creditor committees in bankruptcy and bankruptcy-related litigation. I am also a frequent speaker and panelist regarding debtor and creditors’ rights issues."

Chris Caplinger focuses his practice on several areas, including bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditors’ rights, marine insurance coverage, and oil and gas. Chris concentrates on representing debtors, creditors, and creditor committees in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization cases, creditors in Chapter 7 and 13 cases, and creditors and defendants in all aspects of prosecution and defense of claims before bankruptcy courts and in related litigation before federal district courts. He also represents clients in other commercial litigation matters. Chris assists clients across a variety of industries, including, energy, food, beverage, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, gaming, marine, retail, trucking, and transportation. Clients appreciate his guidance and advocacy, with one Bankruptcy/Restructuring Chambers client noting that “Chris is a consummate professional, a diligent worker and a great strategist.”

Chris is honored to have been selected as debtor’s counsel in some of the largest bankruptcy cases filed in the Eastern and Western Districts of Louisiana as well as in the Southern District of Alabama. He also has extensive experience prosecuting and defending avoidance actions and other litigation before bankruptcy courts.

Chris is a Business Bankruptcy Law Specialist, certified by the American Board of Certification and the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization.

While in law school, Chris served as an Extern to the Honorable Helen “Ginger” Berrigan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. He also served as a Law Clerk for the New Orleans Office of the U.S. Trustee Program, Region 5.

Thought Leadership

“Divorce and Bankruptcy – A Ton of Fun,” Co-Presenter, New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinator’s Program, December 27, 2024
“Determination of Value in Bankruptcy Proceedings,” American Society of Appraisers International Conference, October 3, 2023
“Unprecedented Times… in Bankruptcy: Consumer and Corporate Bankruptcy Provisions of the CARES Act,” Louisiana State Bar Association Bankruptcy Law Section Webinar, July 30, 2020
“How Bankruptcy Affects Collections,” National Business Institute Collection Law: The Ultimate Guide CLE Program, April 12, 2018
“How to Enforce Judgement: Liens, Garnishments, Veil Piercing and More,” National Business Institute Collection Law: The Ultimate Guide CLE Program, April 12, 2018
“Receiverships and ABC’s,” Panel Discussion Member, National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees 35^th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Convention, September 16, 2017
“Bankruptcy Crimes and Ethical Considerations,” New Orleans Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee CLE Program, June 15, 2017
“The Interplay of Bankruptcy and Oil and Gas Law,” New Orleans Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee CLE Program, September 17, 2015
“The Interplay Between FDCPA and Other Federal and State Consumer Protection Laws,” National Business Institute CLE Program Defending Against FDCPA Claims, April 17, 2015
“The Interplay of Bankruptcy and Domestic Law,” New Orleans Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee CLE Program, September 18, 2014
“Entity Law in Bankruptcy,” New Orleans Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee CLE Program, September 19, 2013
“Taxation & Accounting in Bankruptcy: The Role of the CPA in Bankruptcy,” New Orleans Bar Association, May 18, 2012
“The Nuts and Bolts of Collection Law: Creditors’ Rights When a Debtor Files Bankruptcy,” National Business Institute CLE, April 23, 2012
“Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Law and Practice,” New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators’ CLE Program, December 30, 2010
“Small Chapter 11 Debtor Representation,” Panelist for Presentation by New Orleans Bar Association and Bankruptcy Judge Elizabeth W. Magner, USBC, EDLA, May 13, 2010
“Bankruptcy for the Non-Bankruptcy Attorney,” New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators’ CLE Program, December 17, 2009

Memberships

Member, New Orleans Bar Association
Chair, Louisiana State Bar Association (Bankruptcy Law Section)
Member, American Bar Association
Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
Member, American Counsel Association
Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission Member, Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization
Member, Judge Jerry A. Brown Louisiana Bankruptcy American Inn of Court

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D., 1997
- Vice Magister, Phi Delta Phi
Loyola University New Orleans, M.A., Religious Studies, 1997
William & Mary, B.A., Politics and Religion, 1994

Bar Admissions

Louisiana
Texas

Courts

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
All Louisiana State Courts
All Louisiana Federal District Courts
All Texas State Courts

AV Preeminent-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
“Best Lawyers,” The Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2026
“Super Lawyers,” Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2017-2025
Chambers USA, 2023-2025
“500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers,” Lawdragon, 2024
“Top Lawyer,” New Orleans Magazine, 2016, 2019-2021, 2023

Served as counsel for the Trustee of the Gulf Fleet Liquidating Trust prosecuting approximately 40 preference claims on behalf of the Trustee.
Served as debtors’ counsel for Gulf Fleet Holdings, Inc. as well as ten of its subsidiaries in Chapter 11 with over $100,000,000 in assets.
Served as counsel for the Trustee of the NOAG Litigation Trust prosecuting claims objections and preference claims on behalf of the Trustee.
Served as debtors’ counsel for New Orleans Auction Galleries, Inc.
Served as debtors’ counsel for Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc. in Chapter 11 with over $100,000,000 in assets and claims of approximately $100,000,000.
Served as debtor’s counsel for East Cameron Partners, LP in Chapter 11 proceeding with assets of over $100,000,000 and debt of approximately $185,000,000.
Served as debtor’s counsel for New Orleans Tours, Inc., a bus transportation and tourism company with over $4,000,000 in assets and claims in excess of $3,000,000.
Served as counsel for the Trustee of the Torch Liquidating Trust: filed and prosecuted approximately 140 preference claims on behalf of the Trustee.
Served as debtors’ counsel for Torch Offshore, Inc., Torch Offshore, LLC, and Torch Express, LLC in Chapter 11 proceedings involving assets of over $300,000,000 and claims of approximately $300,000,000.
Served as debtors’ counsel for Meal Solutions I, LLC, a restaurant and specialty food store in New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana.
Served as debtors’ counsel for Conmaco/Rector, L.P.
Served as counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee for Sevarg Company, Inc., an oil and gas development company.
Served as counsel for two insurance companies in the Chapter 11 proceedings of Babcock & Wilcox, Inc.

Christopher T. Caplinger

Biography

Experience

News & Insights

Blog Posts

Bar Admissions

Courts