James T. Schmidt, Jr. is a member of the firm’s Financial Services practice group, where he represents creditors, lenders, asset purchasers, and other parties in bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, restructuring, enforcement, workout, and related commercial litigation matters.

James helps clients protect their rights and pursue recoveries when borrowers or counterparties face financial distress. His practice includes representing secured creditors, unsecured creditors, lenders, and asset purchasers in bankruptcy cases under Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12, in primarily business and agricultural bankruptcy matters. He also pursues state-court collection remedies, out of court workouts, enforces loan documents, preserves claims, protects lien rights, and recovers collateral.

James has enforced loan agreements involving a wide range of collateral including vehicles, real property, agricultural equipment, and aircraft. He also advises clients on issues involving distressed asset sales, credit bids, bankruptcy sale disputes, claim objections, plan confirmation, fraud-related disputes, asset tracing, and post-confirmation disputes.

James has a practical and efficient approach to resolving disputes. He works with clients to evaluate their options, preserve leverage, identify recoverable assets, and pursue strategies that align with their business objectives.

Before joining Lathrop GPM, James worked in Washington, D.C. for U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and practiced as an associate attorney at a Nebraska-area law firm, where he focused on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights.

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Education

  • University of Kansas School of Law (J.D., 2022)
  • Kansas State University (B.S., Mass Communications, 2017)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Nebraska

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Recognitions

  • National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, Next Generation program, 2026
  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America©, "Ones to Watch," 2026

Professional Activities

  • American Bankruptcy Institute