Hugh Massey Ray III

"AV" Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell; named "Texas Super Lawyer" and "Rising Star" by Texas Monthly Magazine; named one of "Houston's Best Lawyers" by H-Texas Magazine. Board Certified, Business Bankruptcy Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization; Member, College of the State Bar of Texas and "Barrister" of American Inns of Court. Member of the American Law Institute.

I have compteted in several Houston marathons and one 70.3 Ironman Triathlon, as well as some smaller triathlons.  I spend most of my non-working time with my three young children, who can be as exhausting as any marathon. 

When first I talk with a client, my goal is to keep them out of bankrutpcy.  Bankruptcy is truly the last option, and one that I do not recommend lightly.  If a client comes to talk to me sooner (when the financial situation is trending downward and when negative cash flow is just beginning), I can offer them more choices for restructuring their business and less expensive alternatives.  Sometimes people delaty visiting with a bankrutpcy lawyer until it is too late.  Do not let irrational fear guide your business decisions.  Use a level head.  Consult a bankruptcy or turnaround lawyer when you are looking for a turnaround.  You will lose little and stand to gain a great deal from a consultation with someone who has made it his life's work to turnaround struggling businesses and save struggling business owners. 

I have represented creditors of all sizes, from massive insititutional lenders to small individual investors.  Generally, as a creditors' counsel, I bring my years of experience to bear in collecting the most money for the least cost.  The aphorism that "one cannot get blood from a turnip" does not require that the prudent creditor simply "write off" bankruptcy debts.  The debtor hopes that you will just go away, but a smart creditor knows his options.  The bankruptcy law provides for extensive scrutiny of the debtor's finances at a moderate cost.  A creditor armed with knowledgable counsel will use the bankruptcy court, the structure of trustees and committess, and the power of effective advocacy to get a useful return.  As the creditor's counsel, my rates are always reasonable, especialy given my expertise.  I charge the same rate for debtor or creditor work - a rate that is substantially lower than that charged by the massive super-firms.