Troy "T.J." Hales | Bell Nunnally

Sometimes an aggressive trial strategy is the best path forward. Sometimes an early resolution will best serve a client’s business or personal interests. In almost all cases, post-judgment processes are key. Whatever the situation, T.J. understands that forming sound strategies requires listening to and hearing a client’s needs, goals and risk tolerance. He works to design the best solutions to help clients get past their problems efficiently, so they can move on with the least disruption possible.

T.J. is a partner in the Bankruptcy & Restructuring and Commercial Litigation groups. He represents secured lenders, creditors, distressed investors, commercial landlords and tenants, and other stakeholders in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 proceedings, bankruptcy and clawback litigation, and commercial disputes. Clients rely on T.J. for practical advice in navigating insolvency, distress and special situations arising with their customers and borrowers, both in and out of court.

T.J. has substantial first-chair experience advocating for clients in bankruptcy, federal and state courts at all stages, including on appeal. He regularly handles plan confirmation, first-day motions (including cash collateral and other operations-related motions), and claim-related negotiations and disputes. He also defends clients in clawback litigation, including fraudulent transfer and preference claims, and fiduciary disputes. T.J. frequently advises on U.C.C. Article 9 issues and other creditor remedies and implements enforcement strategies with clients. T.J. is particularly interested and experienced in the real estate, finance and construction industries.

Prior to private practice, T.J. clerked with the Honorable Christine A. Nowak in the Eastern District of Texas and completed a public interest fellowship at the Muslim Legal Fund of America (f/k/a Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America), where he worked on criminal and civil litigation matters. In addition, during law school, he externed with the Honorable Amos L. Mazzant in the Eastern District of Texas.

BANKRUPTCY AND RESTRUCTURING

Secured a near-complete victory for Dundon Capital Management and its principals in an adversary proceeding in which the trustee for the defunct Alliance of American Football sought damages totaling more than $300 million. Following a 21-day trial conducted over a 78-day period, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court dismissed all claims except one, reducing the recovery on the remaining claim to $1.
Represented unsecured creditor in seeking to bar discharge under § 727(a)(3), (4), & (5) based on series of fraudulent transfers by debtor to family members, including the transfer of a piece of real property over six years before the bankruptcy filing to a third-party who later transferred the property to a member of debtor's family. Prevailed after three-day bench trial involving extended cross-examination of debtor, several of debtor's family members, debtor's CPA and a third party who obtained valuable property from the debtor.
Advice and counsel to secured and unsecured creditors, lien claimants, and recipients of alleged preference payments/fraudulent transfers in bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.
Represented subcontractor with mechanic's lien in negotiation between Chapter 7 Trustee, secured lender, general contractor and subcontractors for payment from funds held by general contractor that Trustee claimed were property of the estate and in which secured lender claimed a security interest.
Represented secured noteholder seeking to lift automatic stay to foreclose and take possession of real property and vehicle assets upon debtor's announcing it would convert case from reorganization to liquidation proceeding.
Represented secured noteholder in opposing first-day cash collateral motion to seek adequate protection by means of a separate trust account for real property and vehicle assets.
Represented tax professional in filing reservation of rights as to potential administrative claim in portion of tax refunds obtained by professional's work in which professional had contractual assignment.
Represented investor in challenging motion in adversary proceeding where movant sought to designate principal of investor as a responsible third party.
Representing solar panel distributor and tax/financial professional, each of whom worked with debtor prior to bankruptcy, against claims by Chapter 7 Trustee related to alleged preference payments in the year preceding the petition date.
Represented tax professional in resisting motion by Chapter 7 Trustee to seek books and records the Trustee believed were in professional's custody.
Represented recipient of alleged preference payments who was supplier of high-value drilling equipment to debtor before debtor's filing.
Represented steel suppliers who were targets of alleged preference claims and negotiated full walkaway with Chapter 7 trustee.
Provided advice and counsel to secured creditor regarding bankruptcy rights and Fair Credit Reporting Act compliance when debtor holding asset files for bankruptcy.
Represented tax professional seeking order authorizing professional's retention by debtor-in-possession as professional of the estate nunc pro tunc.
Represented purchaser in § 363 sale negotiation.
Advised commercial landlord in bankruptcy of large restaurant group that was landlord's tenant in several properties on landlord's options related to lease rejection and assumption.
Represented unsecured creditor in negotiating and obtaining desired modifications to subchapter V debtor's plan of reorganization and related release of claims. Debtor released all claims against creditor, creditor released its claim against debtor, and creditor retained offset rights against third parties related to the released claims.
Represented party holding funds subject of competing claims by debtor-in-possession and two parties claiming funds pursuant to purported security interests held by merchant cash advance companies.
Represented creditor in contesting confirmation of Chapter 13 plan that failed properly to account for student loan debt.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Secured a final arbitration award of more than $3.16 million for a solar energy construction contractor.
Obtained complete verdict in favor of estate of prominent deceased musical artist, fending off a request for preliminary injunction including turnover of all tracks of artists voice, after obtaining temporary restraining order and injunction on behalf of estate to impound tracks of artist's voice during the pendency of the case.
Assisted developer with resolving several lien claims, including constitutional lien claim against mixed use development.
Assisted design professionals in securing payment for several past due amounts from contractors.
Resolved a construction and real estate dispute valued at more than $1 million by initiating in parallel a federal lawsuit and arbitration proceedings against a general contractor in a storm reconstruction project. In the resulting settlement, the client was paid more than 90% of the value of the claim.
Secured settlement and agreed judgment for construction rental company for the entire amount of the six-figure claim against debtor’s guarantors after debtor filed for bankruptcy protection.

“Was the Debtor Truly Insolvent at Payment?,” Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, author; April 1, 2026.
“Drafting and Negotiating Retail Leases; Considerations in a Tumultuous Economy,” Commercial Leasing 101 Course for the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The State Bar of Texas, author; July 2025.
“Up-and-coming or Uninhabitable? RHONY Stars Erin and Abe Lichy’s Tribeca Lease Dispute Analyzed Under New York and Texas Law,” The Texas Lawbook, co-author; May 21, 2024.
“Grappling With the Confusing Holding of Rohrmoos for Landlord-Tenant Law,” Texas Lawyer, co-author, October 10, 2023.
"Cannabis Regulation and Cannabis Derived Products," USA Chapter of the Legalink guidebook, co-author, 2021.
"PPP Round 2: Changes to the Program, Expanded Coverage, and Who Is Covered," Bell Nunnally Client Alert, author; January 25, 2021.
“Biometrics in the COVID Era Workplace: Is Your Business Compliant?” D Magazine, co-author; November 19, 2020.
“Completing Service of Process and Establishing Proof of Delivery in Light of COVID-19 Social Distancing Orders,” Bell Nunnally Client Alert, co-author; April 3, 2020.
“Impacts of COVID-19 on Commercial Leasing,” Bell Nunnally Client Alert, co-author; April 3, 2020.
“COVID-19 Issues and Answers for NACM Members,” Bell Nunnally Client Alert, co-author; March 20, 2020.
“Preparing for a Slowdown in Accounts Receivable Collection Due to COVID-19,” Bell Nunnally Client Alert; March 18, 2020.
“Social Security Benefits for Surviving Same-Sex Spouses Five Years After Obergefell,” Dallas Association of Young Lawyers; June 2020.
"Preparing for a Slowdown in Accounts Receivable Collection Due to COVID-19," National Association of Credit Management eNews Newsletter, co-author; April 2, 2020.
Federal Criminal Procedure: Guilty Plea Satisfaction Guaranteed, 68 SMU L. REV. 283 (2015).

“The Trump Administration's Approach to DEI Programs + Net Zero Alliances," Legalink Conference; October 30, 2025.
“Drafting and Negotiating Retail Leases; Considerations in a Tumultuous Economy,” Commercial Leasing 101 Course for the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The State Bar of Texas; July 2025.
“Ministerial Exception to Employment Laws and Other Topics,” Muslim Nonprofit Leadership Conference, San Francisco; April 21, 2018.
“Religious Land Use Issues,” Muslim Nonprofit Leadership Conference, Dallas; September 29, 2017.

Education

J.D., cum laude, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 2016
- Dean’s List
- SMU Law Review, Managing Editor
- Willem C. Vis Commercial Arbitration Moot Court
- Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court
- SMU OUTlaw member
B.B.A., business fellows/economics, with distinction, Baylor University, 2013

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Troy “T.J.” Hales

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