Overview
Jeff Tinkham joined Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, L.L.P., as Of Counsel to the firm in November 2003. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Tinkham was the managing partner of Williams & Tinkham for 14 years. Mr. Tinkham has extensive experience in bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, collection, and commercial litigation.
A significant portion of Mr. Tinkham’s practice involves representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. As an example, Mr. Tinkham recently acted as local counsel in representing a corporate landlord in the CARBO Ceramics bankruptcy pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Mr. Tinkham also represents defendants in bankruptcy adversary proceedings and has occasionally represented bankruptcy trustees in prosecuting such actions. A recent example of Mr. Tinkham’s collection practice involved prosecuting fraudulent transfer, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty, and alter ego claims in a case in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Mr. Tinkham has collected hundreds of judgments, and is well versed in exemption issues, dormancy issues, and turnover proceedings. Mr. Tinkham’s commercial practice has primarily involved representing financial institutions or businesses against corporate debtors and personal guarantors. Currently, Mr. Tinkham is representing a commercial equipment leasing company seeking payment for unpaid rental charges, damages to the leased equipment and damages arising from loss of use of the equipment while it was being repaired. Mr. Tinkham has also been involved in real estate related matters, including title issues and landlord/tenant issues. Occasionally, Mr. Tinkham has represented clients in appellate matters, most often in bankruptcy related appeals.
Mr. Tinkham is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Texas, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and has appeared pro hac vice in bankruptcy courts outside of Texas on many occasions.
Professional Affiliations
Professional
State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section
Houston Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section
Fifth Circuit Bar Association
News & Insights
Publications
"Bankruptcy Basics: Property of the Estate and Jurisdiction," Texas Insurance Law Symposium, South Texas College of Law, January, 2004
Comment, Northern Pipeline Construction Co. and Raddatz: Clarification of the Article III Constraints on Article I Courts?, 21 Hous. L. Rev. 397 (1984)
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
University of Houston, J.D., 1984, with honors
- Associate Editor, Houston Law Review
- Order of Barons
University of Texas, B.B.A., Finance, 1979
Employment
- Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, L.L.P., 2003 – present
- Williams & Tinkham, 1989-2003
- Deaton, Briggs & McCain, 1988-1989
- Butler & Binion, 1988
- Childs, Fortenbach, Beck & Guyton, 1984-1987