Douglas M. Alrutz

Partner

How do you achieve success for clients?

Honesty undergirds every aspect of my practice, from the way I speak with my clients, to the way I assess and explain the strengths and weaknesses of the matter for which they have engaged me, to the way we discuss expectations and likely outcomes. A result that exceeds expectations is a goal, but success is often achieved when my clients walk away knowing that the result was fair and achieved at a reasonable rate such that they want to return the next time a need arises.

Practices and Industries

Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Arbitration & Mediation Services

Doug Alrutz is a member of the Firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Service Team. He concentrates his practice in the areas of bankruptcy, commercial litigation, foreclosure and collection. Doug is also recognized as a Tennessee Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Mr. Alrutz has extensive experience in all areas of debt recovery and restructuring including workouts, foreclosure, and litigation. His bankruptcy experience includes representation of secured and unsecured creditors such as financial institutions, real property owners, equipment lessors, and suppliers.

He regularly represents parties in asset sales in bankruptcy cases and handles bankruptcy preference litigation defense throughout the United States. Other related experience includes real estate litigation, lease default and evictions, and general commercial litigation. Mr. Alrutz frequently serves as a Special Judge in the General Sessions Court for Shelby County, TN.

EDUCATION

J.D., University of Tennessee

Vice-Chair of the Moot Court Board, 1985

B.S., University of Tennessee with honors, 1981

ADMISSIONS

Tennessee
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

HONORS

Highest Professional Rating (AV®) by Martindale-Hubbell
Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in America® Memphis Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year” – 2020, 2023
Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2016-present

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & MEMBERSHIPS

Memphis Bar Association, member, Board of Directors, 2003, Chair of the Bankruptcy Section, 1994-1995
Tennessee Bar Association, member, District Representative, Young Lawyers’ Division, 1990-1994
Barrister Member of the Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court
Board of Directors of the Mid-South Commercial Law Institute, 2012 – 2017 and 2019 – Present
Memphis Bar Foundation, President 2014 – 2016
Tennessee Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator

PUBLICATIONS

“Congress has Simplified Chapter 11 for small businesses.” Memphis Business Journal, June 2020.

PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Alrutz has lectured for various professional groups on bankruptcy and collection issues.

Douglas M. Alrutz

Partner

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

EDUCATION

ADMISSIONS

HONORS

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & MEMBERSHIPS

PUBLICATIONS

PRESENTATIONS

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