James Decristofaro Email & Phone Number

New York, New York

James is principal of DeCristofaro Law and has been practicing law in New York for fifteen years. He graduated from Georgetown Law in 2001. Before starting this firm, he practiced at the New York offices of several prominent international law firms, including Curtis-Mallet, Lovells (now Hogan Lovells), and Morrison & Foerster, where he worked with some of the best lawyers in the world.We are experienced in all aspects of civil and commercial litigation, including pre-litigation demands and negotiations, initiating lawsuits, defending lawsuits, discovery, settlements, and trial. We are also experienced in major commercial bankruptcies, representing creditors, debtors, lenders; litigating adversary proceedings; drafting reorganization and liquidation plans; DIP financing.

Mr. DeCristofaro’s recent engagements include representing:• Officers and directors in defending $75 million in fraud and other claims and prosecuting substantial counterclaims on their behalf in a heavily contested and complex arbitration initiated by private equity shareholders.• An Indian-based distributor in litigation against a major New York-based, multi-national jewelry design and manufacturing company.• An Indian-based manufacturer in litigation against a New York-based machine supply company.• Defrauded investor against Russian investment company.• A major insurance and reinsurance company in litigating complex, multi-million dollar setoff and other claims against an insolvent insurance and reinsurance company domesticated in New Hampshire.• A California-based semiconductor manufacturer in connection with its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, which included an unprecedented bankruptcy auction of assets and contested evidentiary sale hearing, as well as the shut down and related insolvency proceedings of the company’s offices in China, Shanghai, Taiwan, France, Germany and the Cayman Islands.• Two major Icelandic banks in connection with their Chapter 15 recognition proceedings in the U.S., which included working with non-U.S. counsel in formulating asset protection strategies.• The fourth largest debtor to file a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case in 2007 (a subprime mortgage lender with offices in approximately 15 states) in connection with pre-filing matters, post-filing management of the case, and ultimate liquidation, as well as defending related litigation commenced under the WARN Act and the FLSA. Publications • Managing Credit Bids when Secured Creditors Clash, BankruptcyLaw360 (November 12, 2009). • Bankruptcy Setoff and Recoupment, in 26TH AND 27TH ANNUAL CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BANKRUPTCY & REORGANIZATION (2005). • Confirmation of Plans, in DEALING WITH SECURED CLAIMS & STRUCTURED FINANCIAL PRODUCTS IN BANKRUPTCY CASES (2004).