Recognized by peers and clients, John is known for zealous client representation and a balanced, pragmatic approach to resolving disputes.
Bankruptcy and workout lawyer John Penn represents secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, trustees, and unsecured creditor committees in major, high-profile reorganizations and insolvency proceedings.
For more than 40 years, John represented clients involved in complex Chapter 11 reorganizations and restructurings in a range of industries, including aviation, financial services, construction, energy, hospitality, home furnishings, nonprofits, timber, and commercial real estate. John has represented clients in bankruptcy litigation, including defending against attempts to recover alleged fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers, as well as equitable subordination. Many of those clients compromised the claims for substantial discounts, including settlements for less than the cost-of-defending the case through trials.
John is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a past president of the American Bankruptcy Institute. John is board-certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by both the American Board of Certification and Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Ranked by Chambers USA Six Years in a Row
Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Professional Recognition
- "Readers’ Choice Award," JD Supra: Thought Leadership in Bankruptcy Law, 2023
- Awarded "American Bankruptcy Institute Lifetime Achievement Award," 2021
- Listed in the Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers, 2020, 2022-2023
- Recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2003-2024
- Recognized by Chambers USA as "America's Leading Lawyer" for Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2009-2010, 2019-2024
- Recognized in Super Lawyers Magazine as a "Super Lawyer" - Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights, 2003-2023
- Chosen by peers as one of Fort Worth's Top Attorneys in Bankruptcy in Fort Worth Texas Magazine, 2008, 2010-2011, 2013
- Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification, 1992, and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1991
- Martindale Hubbell® Law Directory with a Peer Review Rating of AV® Preeminent™
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Professional Leadership
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Member; Past President; Past Chairman
- American Bankruptcy Institute Task Force for Veterans and Servicemembers Affairs, Co-Chair
- American College of Bankruptcy, Fellow; Member
- Honorable John C. Ford American Inn of Court, Master; Member
- American Board of Certification, Emeritus Director, Past President; Past Chairman
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Tarrant County Bankruptcy Bar Association, Past President
Community Involvement
- Longhorn Council Boy Scouts of America, Executive Board, 2004-2017
- Longhorn Council National Eagle Scout Association Committee, 2010-2017; Chairman, 2013-2017
- Tarrant County Chapter of March of Dimes, Board of Directors, 1995-2004
- Carter BloodCare Blood Donor (19 gallons and rising)