Biography
Chris Bankler is a partner in Jackson Walker’s litigation section, focused on the resolution of disputes for businesses and financial institutions. His practice consists of counseling clients through the process of complex business litigation, including general business disputes, fraud claims, breach of fiduciary duty cases, and complex business bankruptcy litigation. An experienced litigator, Chris has served as litigation counsel in more than 100 cases in state and federal courts, as well as FINRA and AAA arbitrations.
Chris is a lead litigation partner on a full range of disputes in complex Chapter 11 proceedings and other restructuring related issues. As a trial lawyer with experience in federal bankruptcy courts, Chris aggressively protects clients’ interests in significant corporate bankruptcies. His bankruptcy experience includes managing contested matters and adversary proceedings as well as conducting special investigations.
Education
B.A., University of Texas at Austin
B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin
J.D., cum laude, SMU Dedman School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
Officer, Director, and Shareholder Lawsuits
Chris frequently represents officers and directors in lawsuits relating to management disputes or a shareholder claims. Chris has experience representing officers and directors not only in Texas courts, but also in other common jurisdictions for business disputes, including Nevada and Delaware. Chris has particular experience in Delaware, having appeared and argued in the Delaware Chancery Court in several cases in recent years.
Chris has represented individual officers and directors of public and private companies in high-stakes corporate defense cases involving claims for:
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Theft of Trade Secrets
- Fraud
- Shareholder Class Actions
- Bankruptcy Adversary Proceedings
Recent officer, director, and shareholder lawsuit representation includes:
- Lenois v. Camac Energy et al, Delaware Chancery Court (2021)
- Classic Truck Sales v. Morrow, Dallas County, Texas (2021)
- E Squared Tech v. Garg, Dallas County, Texas (2020)
- Live Oak Rail Road v. Howard Midstream Energy Partners, Bexar County, Texas (2018)
- Balfe v. Glenn Beck; Mercury Radio Arts v. Balfe, Dallas County, Texas (2017)
- Vianet Group v. Tap Acquisition, Northern District of Texas (2016)
Financial Institution Representation
Chris’ deep understanding of the matters important to financial institutions has made him the go-to counselor for many of Jackson Walker’s financial services clients. Chris represents a diverse range of financial institutions, including several national banks (3 of the top 10 largest banks in the United States), trust companies, community banks, and credit unions.
Chris has helped financial institutions resolve a variety of legal claims and disputes, including:
- Contract Disputes
- Lender Liability Suits
- Claims Involving Agented Loans
- Disputes Involving Trusts
- Customer Claims, Fair Debt Collection and Fair Credit Reporting
- FINRA Arbitrations for the Securities Industry
Corporate and Bankruptcy Investigations
Chris is a key member of the firm’s Special Investigations practice. He has been a lead special independent investigator multiple times on corporate and accounting issues, with particular focus on examining corporate director and officer fiduciary duties. Chris has worked closely with chief legal officers, corporate boards and committees to scope and complete the investigations. Chris has produced voluminous detailed reports or summary presentations of findings, as required by the circumstances.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2024
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018-2023
- Named to “Up-and-Coming 100: 2022 Texas Rising Stars” list, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2022-2023
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine, 2019-2020
- “Best Lawyers Under 40,” D Magazine, 2021
- North Texas Food Bank, Advisory Council Member, 2018-2022
- Cedars Union Arts Incubator, Board of Directors, 2020-2022
August 17, 2023
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 9, 2023
InsightsTexas Legislature Creates the Business Court of Texas and Companion Court of Appeals
In new legislation signed on June 9, 2023, by Governor Abbott, Texas has revamped its Court system for resolving business disputes with the creation of new trial and appellate courts with judges to be appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate. The new law will be effective September 1, 2023, but will apply only to actions commenced on or after September 1, 2024.
By Chris Bankler and Byron Egan
March 23, 2023
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 2023 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 63 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2023 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
March 23, 2023
Attorney NewsEight Jackson Walker Attorneys Named Up-and-Coming Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker congratulates Chris Bankler, Amanda Crouch, Joshua Flores, Noah Galton, Joel Glover, Reagan Marble, and Zach Zurek on their selection to the “Up-and-Coming 100: 2023 Texas Rising Stars” list. In addition, Amanda and Veronica Polnick were named to the “Up-and-Coming 50: 2023 Women Texas Rising Stars” list.
March 22, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 2022 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 51 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2022 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 2.5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
March 22, 2022
Attorney NewsSeven Jackson Walker Litigators Named to “Up-and-Coming 100: 2022 Texas Rising Stars” List
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of Chris Bankler, Amanda Crouch, Josh Flores, Noah Galton, Joel Glover, Reagan Marble, and David Schlottman to the “Up-and-Coming 100: 2022 Texas Rising Stars” list, with Amanda recognized among the list of the top 50 highest-rated women.
March 23, 2021
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 2021 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2021 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list. Spanning five offices and eight major practice areas, these up-and-coming attorneys have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.
January 6, 2021
Attorney News‘D Magazine’ Lists Chris Bankler, Alden Crow, James McFall, and Brad Nitschke Among “Best Lawyers Under 40”
Jackson Walker congratulates Dallas partners Chris Bankler, Alden Crow, James McFall, and Brad Nitschke on their inclusion in D Magazine’s 2021 “Best Lawyers Under 40” list recognizing outstanding young attorneys in the North Texas area.
April 24, 2020
Attorney News‘D Magazine’ Lists 20 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among Best Lawyers in Dallas 2020
Twenty Jackson Walker attorneys were recognized in the “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2020” list by D Magazine, one of the premier publications in the city of Dallas. To be recognized in the list, attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.
March 10, 2020
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates 30 Attorneys Listed Among 2020 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” List
Spanning five offices, six major practice areas, and experience ranging from six to 15 years, these 30 up-and-coming attorneys were selected based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
Recent Officer, Director, and Shareholder Lawsuits
- Barricade Therapeutics v. Perabo, Dallas County, Texas (2018)
- Live Oak Rail Road v. Howard Midstream Energy Partners, Bexar County, Texas (2018)
- Lenois v. Camac Energy et al, Delaware Chancery Court (2017)
- Balfe v. Glenn Beck; Mercury Radio Arts v. Balfe, Dallas County, Texas (2017)
- Vianet Group v. Tap Acquisition, Northern District of Texas (2016)
Recent Energy Representation
- Erin Energy Corporation v. Public Investment Corporation Ltd, New York (2018)
- WFW Family LP v. Dinero Energy Corporation (2018)
- Trinity Royalty Partners v. Bold Energy et al, Midland County, Texas (2017)
- FLST, Ltd et al v. Explorer Pipeline Company, Eastern District of Texas (2017)
Recent Breach of Contract Claims
- Stannard et al v. National Indoor RV Centers, LLC, Eastern District of Texas (2018)
- Triple Helix Healthcare v. Texas State Clinical, Dallas County, Texas (2018)
- Diversified Pure Chem v. Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Northern District of Texas (2015)