John H. Tate represents debtors and creditors in insolvency matters and business reorganization. He also helps with asset protection strategies and litigation in bankruptcy court.
John practices bankruptcy law with an emphasis on Chapter 11 cases. He represents secured and unsecured creditors, shareholders, creditors committees, debtors, trustees, and other parties-in-interest, including court-appointed Future Claims Representatives in mass tort bankruptcy cases.
John advises high net worth individuals on creditor protection strategies for their assets and potential liability. Simultaneously, he has represented lenders on attacking Debtor creditor protection steps taken to attempt to avoid collection by their lenders.
John is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the American Board of Certification.
Education
Recognitions
Named among Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law (1983-2025), Litigation-Bankruptcy (2011-2025) by Best Lawyers
Recipient of Strasburger’s John Hall Visionary Award (2017)
Named among Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson and Reuters (2003-2018)
Named among the Best Bankruptcy and Workout Attorneys by San Antonio Scene Magazine (2004-2007, 2009-2011)
Named Outstanding Lawyer Award Winner in Bankruptcy by San Antonio Business Journal (2010)
Memberships
College of the State Bar of Texas, Member
San Antonio Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Larry E. Kelly Bankruptcy Inn of Court, Master
Board of Directors and Chairman of Finance Committee, The Army Residence Community (2018-Present)
West Point Society of South Texas Board of Directors (2010-Present)
Board of Directors and Vice-President, San Antonio Rotary Club (2012-2016)
The University of Texas School of Law, Alumni Association Executive Committee Member (2004-2010)
South Central States Regional Advisor to the West Point Association of Graduates Board of Trustees (2000-2014)
City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem, City of Olmos Park, Texas (1985-1998)
U.S. Army Veteran; Ranger and Airborne qualified; assigned to Berlin Brigade (1964-1967); Republic of Vietnam, 5th U.S. Army Mechanized Infantry Brigade (July 1968-August 1969); Awarded Bronze Star and Air Medal
State Bar Licenses
Court Admissions
- Represented and successfully reorganized a large regional grocery store chain.
- Represented the primary secured lender in the reorganization of a chain of retail stores based in Texas.
- Represented the secured lender in the Chapter 11 reorganization of a national “fast food” fried chicken chain and franchisor.
- Represented a national airline in acquiring assets from the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Estate of a failed national airline.
- Represented Creditors Committees in numerous retail and real estate-related Chapter 11 cases.
- Represented debtors in large personal Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 cases.
- Represented the Future Claims Representative in one of the largest asbestos Chapter 11’s, resulting in an Asbestos Creditors Trust in excess of $1.1 Billion dollars.
- Represented the Future Claims Representative in a Chapter 11 case involving “silica” dust exposure, resulting in a successful reorganization and creation of a Silica Claimants Trust.
- Assisted and advised numerous high net worth individuals on Creditor Protection strategies.