Christopher Caplinger

Practice Areas

Christopher T. Caplinger has extensive experience representing debtors, creditors, and creditor committees in bankruptcy and bankruptcy-related litigation. A testament to Caplinger's experience, expertise, and commitment in the field of bankruptcy law, he is certified as a specialist in business bankruptcy law by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization and a Lugenbuhl shareholder. Caplinger joins his colleague Alicia Bendana and an elite group of three other lawyers who have earned the certification in the City of New Orleans. To achieve this certification, Caplinger had to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and experience in the area of bankruptcy law, as well as pass a rigorous examination and meet other stringent requirements set forth by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization.

Since admission to the bar in 1998, Caplinger has almost continuously acted as counsel for debtors, creditors, and creditor committees in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, including as counsel for the debtors 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 has a wealth of experience in prosecuting and defending avoidance actions and other litigation before bankruptcy courts.

Caplinger concentrates his practice on representation of 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.

Professional Memberships

American Bankruptcy Institute

American Bar Association

Judge Jerry A. Brown Bankruptcy American Inn of Court

Louisiana State Bar Association

Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization

Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board

New Orleans Bar Association

Publications

- Unprecedented Times...in Bankruptcy: Consumer and Corporate Bankruptcy Provisions of the CARES Act, Louisiana State Bar Association Bankruptcy Law Section Webinar held on July 30, 2020;

- How Bankruptcy Affects Collections, National Business Institute Collection Law: The Ultimate Guide CLE Seminar Program held in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 12, 2018;

- How to Enforce Judgement: Liens, Garnishments, Veil Piercing and More, National Business Institute Collection Law: The Ultimate Guide CLE Seminar Program held in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 12, 2018;

- "Receiverships and ABC's" Panel Discussion, Panel Member for the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees 35th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 16, 2017;

Bankruptcy Crimes and Ethical Considerations, New Orleans Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee CLE Program on June 15, 2017;

- Interplay of Bankruptcy and Oil and Gas Law, New Orleans Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee CLE Program on September 17, 2015;

- The Interplay Between FDCPA and Other Federal and State Consumer Protection Laws at the National Business Institute CLE Program Defending Against FDCPA Claims held in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 17, 2015;

- The Interplay of Bankruptcy and Domestic Law, New Orleans Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee CLE Program on September 18, 2014;

- Entity Law in Bankruptcy, New Orleans Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee CLE Program on September 19, 2013;

- “Taxation & Accounting in Bankruptcy: The Role of the CPA in Bankruptcy,” New Orleans Bar Association on May 18, 2012;

- “Nuts and Bolts of Collection Law: Creditors’ Rights When a Debtor Files Bankruptcy,” National Business Institute CLE on April 23, 2012

- “Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Law and Practice,” New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators’ CLE Program on December 30, 2010;

- “Small Chapter 11 Debtor Representation,” panelist for presentation by the New Orleans Bar Association and Bankruptcy Judge Elizabeth W. Magner, USBC, EDLA, on May 13, 2010;

- “Bankruptcy for the Non-Bankruptcy Attorney,” New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators’ CLE Program on December 17, 2009.

Work Highlights

- Counsel for the Trustee of the Gulf Fleet Liquidating Trust prosecuting approximately 40 preference claims on behalf of the Trustee

- Debtors’ counsel for Gulf Fleet Holdings, Inc. as well as ten of its subsidiaries in Chapter 11 with over $100,000,000 in assets

- Counsel for the Trustee of the NOAG Litigation Trust prosecuting claims objections and preference claims on behalf of the Trustee

- Debtors’ counsel for New Orleans Auction Galleries, Inc.

- 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

- 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

- 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

- Counsel for the Trustee of the Torch Liquidating Trust, filed and prosecuted approximately 140 preference claims on behalf of the Trustee

- 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

- Debtors’ counsel for Meal Solutions I, LLC, a restaurant and specialty food store in New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana

- Debtors’ counsel for Conmaco/Rector, L.P.

- Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee for Sevarg Company, Inc., an oil-and-gas development company

- Counsel for two insurance companies in the Chapter 11 proceedings of Babcock & Wilcox, Inc.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Louisiana

Education

Awards