Elizabeth Lee Thompson
Liz Thompson's practice focuses on creditors' rights, bankruptcy, and business litigation. She works with secured lenders to recover their loans and collateral through workout and forbearance, self-help remedies, state or federal court litigation, or bankruptcy proceedings. She assists secured and unsecured creditors, debtor in possession lenders, creditors' committees, sureties, suppliers, contractors, landlords, utilities, and purchasers of assets in complex commercial bankruptcies, including Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 cases nationally.
She represents equipment and agricultural lenders in state court replevin and collection matters, and parties in state and federal court litigation, including lender liability, mortgage litigation,and other litigation. She also helps asset managers and investment funds identify and purchase commercial and industrial ("C&I") and commercial real estate ("CRE") credit facilities and assists with loan acquisitions and note buying.
Liz has extensive trial experience before state and federal judges in both the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky. She also frequently litigates evidentiary hearings before bankruptcy courts in adversary proceedings and contested matters.
She joined the firm in 1995, previously served on its Management Committee, and is the prior Chair of the Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy Service Group.
Commencement of Case
ABA Fidelity & Surety Law Committee, May 27, 2021
Chapter 5: Commencement of Case
Surety Aspects of Bankruptcy Law and Practice, American Bar Association, April 2021
Two things to know about recent bankruptcy decisions
LinkedIn, March 11, 2021
Collecting a Judgment
Webinar, July 8, 2020
Asset Recovery Orders/Replevin Overview & Local Rules
Webinar, June 30, 2020
Proofs of Claim and Adequate Protection
Webinar, June 19, 2020
Hot Bankruptcy Decisions of 2019
Webinar, June 10, 2020
3 ways COVID 19 is impacting lenders in court
LinkedIn, March 20, 2020
Three Things to Know About Secured Claims in Bankruptcy
LinkedIn Video, January 2020
Three Things to Know About the New Bankruptcy Law Amendments
LinkedIn video, November 2019
Westmoreland Coal to liquidate, but mines will continue bearing its name
by Ellie Potter, S&P Global Market Intelligence, March 7, 2019
Attorneys: Reopening Alpha bankruptcy case unlikely to impact coal producer
by Ellie Potter, S&P Global Market Intelligence, January 11, 2019
Law Firm Lawyers: Elizabeth Lee Thompson
Represent suppliers in PG&E Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Represent purchasers of assets in Chapter 11 cases including hospitals
Represent subcontractors and contractors in Chapter 11 cases nationwide
Represent agricultural and equipment lenders in farm bankruptcies
Represent suppliers in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy of Westinghouse Electric Co. in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York
Represented secured creditors including regional banks and community banks in state and federal court litigation
Collected millions of dollars in judgments including $1.5 million recovery from enforcement of a U.S. judgment in Paris, France, in 2012
Represented secured creditors, purchasers of assets, sureties and other parties in Chapter 11 mining company bankruptcies nationwide including Lodestar, Inc., Horizon Natural Resources, Trinity Coal Corporation, Patriot Coal Corporation, Alpha Natural Resources, and Peabody Coal Company
Represented asset managers, investment funds and lenders in acquisition of C&I and CRE loans, note purchases, and loan servicing
Litigated enforcement of commodities contracts in state and bankruptcy courts
Served as the principal bankruptcy attorney in the firm's engagement as counsel for the official unsecured creditors' committee in one of the biggest and highest-profile, personal bankruptcies in the history of Kentucky, the bankruptcy of Kentucky's former governor, Wallace G. Wilkinson
Represented the debtor in Calumet Farm, Inc., the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the largest horse farm in the nation
Represented the secured creditor and DIP Lender in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of a major regional clothing retailer
Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy Service Group, Prior Chair
Management Committee, Past Member
Northern Kentucky University, Board of Regents, (2021-27; 2010-16)
Central Kentucky International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation Board
Women Leading Kentucky Advisory Board
Catholic Action Center, Volunteer
University of Kentucky College of Law
University of Kentucky
Liz was Shareholder and Vice President of the Lexington office of a commercial law firm. She managed that office and served as senior litigation attorney.
Liz and her husband, J.D. enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, playing tennis, and vacationing in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Frankfort, Michigan.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency & Reorganization Law (2007-22)
Best Lawyers in America®, Lexington Area Lawyer of the Year for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2018)
Fayette County Bar Women Lawyers' Association, 2021 Woman of the Year
The University of Kentucky Law Alumni Association, Professional Achievement Award (2009)
Certified in Business Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification
FCBA’s Women Lawyers’ Association Names Elizabeth Lee Thompson as Woman of the Year for 2021
LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Fayette County Bar Association’s Women Lawyers’ Association (FCBA WLA) has named Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Elizabeth Lee Thompson as its Woman of the Year for 2021.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 93 lawyers are included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Additionally, 11 attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 14 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Secured Lenders Fail to Manage the Risk of “Springing Liens” at Their Peril
“Springing liens” are first priority statutory liens on property that spring into existence when certain obligations remain unpaid. Springing Liens can attach to real estate, for example, when the following obligations are not paid: taxes, condominium association dues, or claims for construction labor or materials.
Elizabeth Lee Thompson Appointed to NKU Board of Regents
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Governor Andy Beshear has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Elizabeth Lee Thompson as a member of the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) Board of Regents.
The Coronavirus and Beyond: Strategies for Creditors During Uncertain Economic Times
In this recorded webinar, Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy attorneys Elizabeth Lee Thompson, Brian M. Bennett, Chrisandrea L. Turner and John S. Wathen discuss the latest legal issues impacting businesses during these uncertain economic times.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 82 lawyers are included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Creditors Take Notice: Changes to House Bills 155 and 411
Two recent bills were signed into law following the 2020 Regular Session of the Kentucky Assembly which impact creditors. House Bill 155 and House Bill 411.
New Bankruptcy Law May Increase Small Business Filings
On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 creating a new Subchapter V for small-business debtors (less than $2,725,625 in debt) becomes effective. The purpose of this act is to eliminate some of the costly elements of a business bankruptcy reorganization and streamline the procedures.