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Paul J. Hammer
About Paul
Biography
As a Senior Attorney within the nationally ranked Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Creditors' Rights Practice Group of an elite, full service Texas law firm, I provide clients with solutions that draw on my experience in crisis management, corporate governance, and litigation. My expertise includes acting as former outside general counsel to an oil & gas company. Being fluent in Spanish and having lived and practiced abroad for a decade provides me with a unique skill set and perspective, both key in my handling of complex matters nationwide.
I've litigated numerous high stakes commercial litigation matters, winning trials and preliminary injunction hearings along the way. On the insolvency side, I’ve represented constituencies in distressed situations in an array of transactions, work-outs and litigation, including PROMESA, the largest restructuring in history.
Its an honor to be recognized by my clients and peers for excellence. I am endorsed by Primerus, a leading global network of law firms. I'm also ranked by Best Lawyers® and was a finalist for the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 2017 Top 40 Under 40. Additionally, in 2016, I was inducted into Caribbean Business’s Top 40 Under 40.
I'm proud to be a sought-after speaker, whether it be CLEs that I teach, webinars or panels. My work has been featured or quoted in legal journals of Harvard and UPenn, Carribbean Business, Primerus Paradigm, El Nuevo Dia, Finance Monthly, AIRA Journal, The Capitol Forum and Law360.
My experience also includes a stint with the New Orleans office of a large AV®-rated Gulf Coast regional firm, two federal judicial clerkships and leading the Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practice Group of a top Puerto Rico firm.
Pro-bono work and my community are my passions, having dedicated many hours to helping the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Maria. I've also championed causes that I hold dear, including the Special Olympics, cancer research and mentoring law students.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy and Debt
34%
20 years
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
33%
20 years
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
33%
20 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 12 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Licensed in Puerto Rico for 16 years
State: Puerto Rico
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Licensed in Louisiana for 19 years
State: Louisiana
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
Kane Russell Coleman Logan, PC
Galleria Tower II, 5051 Westheimer Road, 10th Floor, Houston, TX, 77056
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Paul J. Hammer's Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Carmen | April 8, 2015
Trustworthy Attorney.
As a company representative, i have worked with Attny. Hammer in a Federal Case with positive results. The guidance and expertise of Paul, were crucial into the management of the case.
Posted by Joseph | March 13, 2015
finding a trustworthy attorney
Since I met Paul while going through my worst times it became clear to me that he was the right person to help me get back on track and I can honestly say that my life has gotten a little better and I am confident that the problems that remain will also have a great outcome
Posted by William | March 8, 2015
Competent
I consider Paul a competent attorney particularly in his field. I have not been working with him that long to justify giving him an excellent rating. I feel that he ranks high in all the categories.
Posted by Claudio R, | March 5, 2015
Paul Hammer is a trustworthy lawyer
Paul J. Hammer, was giving me legal advise over the phone for months before I decided to hire him. He has proven knowledgeable, very professional, and gets things done.
Paul J. Hammer's Lawyer Endorsements
"Paul and I were classmates in Law School. His efforts both in and out of the classroom make it clear why he is such an excellent bankruptcy attorney today. His ability to both evaluate the legal circumstances and connect with his clients make him an asset for any business or corporation’s legal needs. I would recommend Paul for your legal needs."
"I endorse Paul because of his expertise in the field of bankruptcy. He is thorough and is always putting the clients' needs first. It is a learning experience to watch him work in this field."
Daniel Poolson
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2010
Bankruptcy Law Certification, Puerto Rico Supreme Court
2006
Bonomo & LaNasa Scholar, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
2006
Gillis Long Law Center Practicioner, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
2006
Loyola Maritime Law Journal, Staff Member, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
2006
Summa Cum Laude, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
2005
Thomas Tang Moot Court National Team Oralist, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
2003
A.P. Tureaud Full Merit Scholarship, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
2002
B.I. Moody School of Business, Outstanding Graduate Finalist, University of Louisiana, Lafayette
2002
Magna Cum Laude, University of Louisiana, Lafayette
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Senior Attorney, Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Creditors’ Rights, Kane Russell Coleman & Logan, PC
2012 - 2019
Bankruptcy/Reorganization Practice Director, Estrella, LLC
2009 - 2011
Judicial Law Clerk, United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Puerto Rico
2006 - 2009
Senior Litigation Associate, Ungarino & Eckert, LLC
2005 - 2006
Judicial Extern Law Clerk, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
Associations
2014 - Present
State Bar of TexasMember
2010 - Present
Puerto Rico Bankruptcy BarMember
2010 - Present
Federal Bar Association (Puerto Rico chapter)Member
2009 - Present
American Bankruptcy InstituteMember
2009 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Louisiana State Bar AssociationMember
2002 - Present
Beta Gama Signa Business Honor SocietyLifetime Member
Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors (AIRA)
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Nidal Smaili v. PC Puerto Rico, 12-1973 (D.P.R. 2012).
Secured $257,000.00 in damages for overdue rent, loss of income, and equipment damages, plus all attorney’s fees and costs, after only one day of trial.
In Re: La Lechonera de Latin, 12-01291 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2013).
Successfully litigated the lifting of the Bankruptcy Automatic Stay in favor of a major Old San Juan restaurant, protecting its interests in valuable collateral from depreciation.
In Re: Berwind Country Club Corp., 13-04108 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2013).
Successfully brokered sale of historic, multi-million dollar commercial golf course through Chapter 11 reorganization process.
In Re: Berwind Realty, 12-02701, (Bankr. D. P.R. 2012).
Successfully negotiated payment of full cure amount of arrears which led to eventual plan confirmation in one of the largest bankruptcy reorganizations ever filed in Puerto Rico.
In Re: Puerto del Rey, 12-10295 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2012).
Successfully secured 100% payment of client’s substantial six-figure unsecured claim, a feat rarely accomplished in major reorganizations.
In Re: José Lebron, 12-01812 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2012).
Litigated the lifting of the Stay in favor of one of the largest oil and gas companies in Puerto Rico due to pre-bankruptcy expiration of a lease resulting from the debtor’s non-compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.
Clinica Quiropractica de Ponce, 14-5018 (U.S. Bank. P.R. 2014)
Reorganization of major healthcare provider in Puerto Rico.
GMMI, LLC v. Paragon Auctions, LLC, 14-01732 (D. P.R. 2014)
Successfully attained setting aside of default and transfer of $3,000,000.00 damages claim against client from Puerto Rico federal court to New Jersey federal court.
CIRO Energy Partners, LLC v. Roberto Torres-Torres, et al., 12-01917 (D. P.R. 2012).
Federal trial counsel in extensive R.I.C.O. litigation involving renewable energy contracts valued in excess of $190 million dollars.
In Re: Ibrahim Abu Abdel Fattah, 12-09868 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2013); In Re: Jose Crespo, 14-04720 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2014)
Successfully negotiated Franchise lease agreements in excess of 5 million dollars while attaining court approval within context of Chapter 11 reorganization of major gas station owners.
Campbell v. Stone Ins., 509 F.3d 665 (5th Cir. 2007)
Affirmed that statute of limitations had expired thus absolving agent from liability for alleged failure to procure flood insurance; landmark ruling on this precise issue.
Carmen Rivera Cruz, et al. v. Home Depot, 11-02124 (D.P.R. 2011)
Successfully negotiated a favorable pre-trial settlement in slip and fall case for only a fraction of potential exposure after successful limitation of opponent’s presentable evidence at trial via motions in limine and other pre-trial mechanisms.
In Re: Ibrahim Abu Abdel Fattah, 12-09868 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2013); In Re: Jose Crespo, 13-01605 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2013)
Successfully negotiated Franchise lease agreements in excess of 5 million dollars while attaining court approval within context of Chapter 11 reorganization of major gas station owners
In Re: Efrain Cordero, 13-01605 (Bankr. D. P.R. 2013)
Sucessfully litigated partition of multi-million dollar Farm Business Estate in favor of client/heir.
Education
2006
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
University of Louisiana, Lafayette
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2014
Continung Legal Education Seminar
Rights of Creditors in Bankruptcy Proceedings
2013
Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Ethical Obligations of Bankruptcy Professionals
2012
Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Rights of Debtors in Bankruptcy Proceedings
2011
Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Filing a Chapter 7 Petition in Bankruptcy
2010
Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Filing a Chapter 11 Petition in Bankruptcy
Publications
2015
Caribbean Law and Business
Strategic Purchase of Distressed Assets in Bankruptcy
2015
Caribbean Law and Business
Renewable Energy - Puerto Rico's New Frontier
2014
World Bank and International Finance Corporation
Doing Business Insolvency Report
2014
Caribbean Law and Business
New Bill Entails Debt Reorganization Process for Puerto Rican Public Corportations
2014
Caribbean Law and Business
Strategic Purchase of Distressed Assets in Bankruptcy
2009
University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law
Unconscious Classicism: Entity Equality for Sole Proprietorships
2006
University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law
The Katrina Fund: Repairing Breaches in Gulf Coast Insurance Levees
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers