James P. Menton Jr.

Mr. Menton’s practice focuses on all types of fiduciary disputes, creditor’s rights and remedies, and corporate restructuring and bankruptcy matters. A skilled advisor and litigator, Mr. Menton draws upon his extensive professional network to provide clients with strategic resources and solutions in their cases. 

Corporate Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation and Asset Protection and Recovery

Mr. Menton has decades of experience in areas that include insolvency-related matters, including complex corporate bankruptcies, distressed-debt litigation and complex collection matters. His experience with respect to distressed corporate situations, secured transactions, and the corporate bankruptcy process forms an integral part of our clients’ strategic planning. He has resolved high-stakes matters through litigation and settlement, including matters where multi-millions are at stake.

With his experience, he is well situated to advise debtors, committees, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, fiduciaries, trustees, liquidating trustees, receivers, distressed debt traders, asset acquirers and other parties. He is dedicated to employing strategies to protect client rights and interests and maximize recoveries. His experience includes matters involving: 

• Corporate bankruptcy-related litigation
• Asset recovery, asset protection, asset purchase agreements and sales
• Corporate insolvencies
• Creditor’s rights and remedies
• Shareholder rights
• Private equity and investment funds
• Commercial and contract disputes
• Director and officer liability
• Fiduciary litigation
• Lender liability issues
• Confirmation of plans of reorganization
• Preference and fraudulent conveyance claims
• Clawback litigation
• Recharacterization and equitable subordination claims
• Aiding and abetting misconduct
• Bankruptcy sales
• Enforcement of judgments, orders, and arbitral awards

Director & Officer Liability, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, and Investigations

Today’s challenging environment places increased scrutiny on corporate directors and officers, and litigation associated with alleged misconduct continues to pose potential risks and exposure, including in the areas of SPAC-related litigation, COVID-related suits, cybersecurity-related lawsuits, and board diversity cases. Experienced in both prosecuting and defending litigation, Mr. Menton advises and assists clients on matters concerning director and officer liability and claims. His services and background include:

D&O Liability Matters:

• Advising on fiduciary duties
• Advising on D&O liability insurance coverage
• Accessing D&O liability insurance coverage in bankruptcy

Litigation Counsel:
Acting on civil claims for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, fraudulent transfers and other claims on behalf of the prosecuting or defending party

Investigation and Reports:
Providing full inquiry and analysis, as requested, concerning director and officer liability, financial transactions and potential claims.

Education

• University of California Los Angeles School of Law, J.D. (1991)
• Northwestern University, B.A. in Political Science (1984)

Representative Matters

Included among Mr. Menton’s matters are counseling and representing:

Private trust with over $160 million owed in restructuring and multi-state litigation that resulted in the successful sale of international franchisor of multiple quick service restaurant brands.  

Private trust with over $50 million owed by fixed base operator at one of the busiest commercial airports in the country. Through a restructuring process and related litigation, achieved ongoing recoveries for the client. 

Liquidating trust in obtaining a substantial judgment after trial against former officers and directors of Chapter 11 debtors in a lawsuit based on fraudulent transfer law. 

Liquidating trust in a matter involving alleged breach of fiduciary duty and corporate waste by former officers and directors of a Chapter 11 debtor. Substantial settlement achieved without filing suit. 

Bankruptcy trustee in obtaining a substantial settlement of lawsuits against former directors and officers of a Chapter 7 debtor and an insurer on director and officer liability policy.

Former director of Chapter 11 debtors in director and officer-related litigation. Litigation settled for no payment by former director and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice. 

Former trustee of non-profit organization as defendant in lawsuit filed by bankruptcy trustee for breach of fiduciary duty and corporate waste. After initial motion to dismiss granted with leave to amend and second motion to dismiss filed, litigation settled for no money paid by former trustee and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

Investment company and foundation as creditors and defendants in a lawsuit filed by Chapter 11 debtor to re-characterize clients’ claims as equity. Litigation settled for no re-characterization of their claims and dismissal of the lawsuit. 

Foundation and its officers as defendants in lawsuit filed by bankruptcy trustee for breach of charitable pledge. Dismissal of lawsuit following successful motion to dismiss.

Bankruptcy trustee for estate of debtor that operated as “fraudulent hedge fund” in lawsuits for fraudulent transfers against family members of debtor’s principal. Favorable settlements achieved, including entry of stipulated judgment and permanent injunction, collateral from family member and spouse, and receipt of cash payments by trustee. 

Ex-spouse as defendant in fraudulent transfer lawsuit filed by bankruptcy trustee involving martial settlement agreement incorporated in dissolution judgment. Litigation settled on favorable terms.

Liquidating trustee in objections to $200 million in claims against foreign entities based on international trade documents. 

Insurance companies in prevailing on summary judgment in litigation over deficiency claims against borrower and guarantor following foreclosure on real property.

Insurance companies in obtaining an injunction against transfer of assets in a case involving alleged fraudulent scheme of an individual to shield assets from creditors.

Lender in defending against fraud and other claims involving a real estate development project and obtaining settlement of a lawsuit for a minimal amount.

Lender in obtaining an $8 million attachment against a corporation based on fraudulent transfer law.

Shareholders and related entities in obtaining settlement of disputes in arbitration proceedings with former shareholder.

Former owners of audio and video equipment rental company in bankruptcy cases of successor entity and its affiliates in connection with confirmed plan of reorganization and resolution of alleged fraudulent transfer liability over a $1 billion sale of the company. 

Celebrity chef Chloe Coscarelli in bankruptcy case in which Delaware bankruptcy court rejected the investors of the “by Chloe” company, like Bain Capital and Kitchen Fund, attempt to purchase the “by Chloe” trademark—the company’s “crown jewel asset”—in a Chapter 11 proceeding without Chloe’s consent.

North Dakota tribe in bankruptcy case in which Nevada bankruptcy court approved its acquisition of Las Vegas vacant land for $12 million pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.

North Dakota tribal entities concerning bankruptcy cases of Houston oil and gas company and its subsidiaries in connection with protecting tribal rights, oil and gas interests, and claims.

National commercial tenant concerning bankruptcy case of major mall owner of more than 100 locations across the country with respect to rights and interests under unexpired leases, confirmation proceedings. and confirmed plan of reorganization.

American cable network in connection with affirmative claims in bankruptcy of media buyer and defense of trustee’s claw-back litigation for alleged preferential transfers; matters resolved on favorable terms.  

One of several former officers and directors against indemnity claims for alleged breach of their fiduciary duties of loyalty and good faith resulting in obtaining an order from the bankruptcy court abstaining and dismissing the third-party complaints for indemnity and as to the remaining claims, a settlement pursuant to which the client made no payment, received a general release, and the district court action filed against the client and others after the indemnity claims were dismissed in the bankruptcy court was dismissed with prejudice.

Trustee in the settlement of a $130 million fraudulent transfer adversary proceeding against motion picture production and distribution company for allegedly forcing unfair distribution agreements on captive home video distribution company.

Liquidating trust in investigation and prosecution of claims against former officers and directors of media company and its affiliates following confirmation of Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.

Web-hosting company in lawsuit filed in bankruptcy court against the company’s former CEO for non-dischargeability of a debt under sections 523(a)(2) and 523(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code; successful representation of the company in favorable settlement with the trustee appointed in the former CEO’s Chapter 7 case; subsequent dismissal of lawsuit without prejudice in connection with settlement of related state court litigation. 

Assignee for the benefit of creditors of company engaged in premium seafood and convenience meal businesses as litigation counsel in asserting and recovering preferential transfers.  

Judgment creditor of $367 million Delaware judgment in California enforcement proceedings, including post-judgment discovery, complaint against judgment debtor’s family members in which judgment creditor asserted fraudulent transfer and others claims, and recording of lis pendens; action settled on favorable terms.

Creditor in confirming arbitration award and entry of judgment and post-judgment enforcement proceedings.

Interested parties in connection with obtaining discovery for use in a foreign proceeding from those located in the United States under 28 U.S.C. § 1782.  

• Awarded the Wiley M. Manuel Pro Bono Certificate by the California Lawyers Association for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services (2023)
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2019-2025 editions)
• Named a "Southern California Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers (2014-2016, 2021-2024)
• Awarded Pro Bono Award by Robins Kaplan LLP (2019)
• Awarded a Pro Bono Star Award by Human Rights First (2019)
• Recognized as “Outstanding Newsletter Editor,” Bankruptcy and Insolvency Litigation Committee, ABA Section of Litigation (2010-2011)
• Recognized as “Outstanding Subcommittee Chair,” Bankruptcy and Insolvency Litigation Committee, ABA Section of Litigation (2010-2011)

Professional

• Law360 Bankruptcy Editorial Advisory Board (2023)
• California State Bar Business Law Section:  Advisor, Executive Committee (2013-2015); Chair (2012-2013); Member (2008-2013); Business Law News, Editor-In-Chief (2007-2009), Member (2004-2009)
• California State Bar Law Practice Management & Technology Section: Chair (2007-2008), Member (2006-2008)
• Turnaround Management Association, Southern California Chapter: Member, Board of Directors (2012-2017)
• American Bar Association Litigation Section:  Bankruptcy and Insolvency Committee, Executive Editor, Newsletter (2010-2011); Commercial and Business Litigation Committee, Co-Chair, Bankruptcy Litigation Subcommittee (2004-2010)
• American Bar Association General Practice & Small Firm Division:  GP Solo Magazine, Editor (2008-2010)
• Beverly Hills Bar Association
• Financial Lawyers Conference
• Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum
• California Receivers Forum

Speeches

• Representations of Wealth Planning and Conflict in Film and Literature: What Can We Learn from Such Depictions?
  Robins Kaplan LLP Wealth Planning, Administration, and Disputes Annual CLE, Webinar (October 7, 2020)
• Adelanto: Conditions and Challenges at the “House of Tears”
  LA Human Rights Initiative (October 22, 2019)
• In Wealth Transfer Strategies We Trust
  54th Annual Hawaii Tax Institute, Honolulu, Hawaii (November 8, 2017)
• Trusts in the Cotext of Bankruptcy
  Estate Planning Council of San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena, California (February 27, 2017)
• Trust Fund Debtors The Intersection Between Bankruptcy and Trusts
  Beverly Hills Bar Association, Beverly Hills, California (November 2, 2016)
• How to Make Your Estate Plan Survive Bankruptcy
  USC Gould School of Law 2016 Tax Institute, Los Angeles, California (January 27, 2016)
• So What If They’re In Bankruptcy, The Debtor Has Insurance And We’re Covered (Maybe):  The Treatment Of Liability And D&O Insurance Policies In Bankruptcy 
  Financial Lawyers Conference, Los Angeles, California (February 2007)