Chris Bankler
Experience
- Arbitration
- Banking Litigation
- Business Litigation
- Corporate & Securities Litigation
- Debtor Representation
- Special Investigations
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, 2024-2025
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018-2024
- Named to “Up-and-Coming 100: 2022 Texas Rising Stars” list, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2022-2024
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine, 2019-2020
- “Best Lawyers Under 40,” D Magazine, 2021
- Author, “Texas Supreme Court Reaffirms Personal Liability for Corporate Officers and Directors in Fraud Cases,” Jackson Walker Insights (July 2024)
- Co-Author, “Texas Legislature Creates the Business Court of Texas and Companion Court of Appeals,” Jackson Walker Insights (June 2023)
- North Texas Food Bank, Advisory Council Member, 2018-2022
- Cedars Union Arts Incubator, Board of Directors, 2020-2022
April 10, 2025
Insights
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Fiduciary Duties Between Business Partners
By Chris Bankler
The Texas Supreme Court has provided clarity on the fiduciary duties between business partners, particularly in the context of limited partnerships. The case, Bertucci v. Watkins, involved a dispute between two business partners, Anthony R. Bertucci and Eugene L. Watkins, who were engaged in developing low-income housing projects through various entities they co-owned.
April 4, 2025
Insights
Texas Business Court Upholds Fiduciary Duty Waivers and Clarifies Limits on Partnership Agreement Provisions
By Chris Bankler
Only six months into a complicated partnership dispute, the Business Court of Texas, 1st Division, issued a thorough summary judgment opinion and order in the case of Primexx Energy Opportunity Fund, LP v. Primexx Energy Corporation, et al.
February 27, 2025
Insights
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Limits on Business Fiduciary Duties
By Chris Bankler
On February 21, 2025, the Supreme Court of Texas delivered a significant ruling in the case of Pitts v. Rivas, addressing the issue of fiduciary duties within professional relationships. The Court concluded that no fiduciary duty existed between the parties involved, emphasizing the absence of such duties in the accountant-client context under the specific facts of the case.
January 9, 2025
Insights
The Business Court of Texas Issues Key Opinions on Jurisdiction
By Chris Bankler
The Business Court of Texas, established on September 1, 2024, has issued its first round of major opinions. These rulings, authored by judges across its divisions, largely address jurisdictional questions stemming from the Business Court’s enabling legislation.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
July 11, 2024
Insights
Texas Supreme Court Reaffirms Personal Liability for Corporate Officers and Directors in Fraud Cases
By Chris Bankler
On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court of Texas issued a ruling clarifying the personal liability of individuals acting in a corporate capacity. The case, Keyes v. Weller, addressed whether individuals can be held personally liable for fraudulent acts committed as corporate agents, even when those individuals own an interest in the company.
March 21, 2024
Attorney News
Five Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to Texas Rising Stars “Up-and-Coming 100” List
The “Up-and-Coming 100” list recognizes outstanding attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, and selection is based on who received the highest point totals during the patented multiphase process used to identify the “Texas Rising Stars” of 2024.
March 21, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2024 Texas Rising Stars
Each year, Super Lawyers 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 as “Rising Stars.”
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
Insights
Texas 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
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)
Practice Experience
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.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018-2024
- Named to “Up-and-Coming 100: 2022 Texas Rising Stars” list, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2022-2024
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine, 2019-2020
- “Best Lawyers Under 40,” D Magazine, 2021
Publications & Speeches
- Author, “Texas Supreme Court Reaffirms Personal Liability for Corporate Officers and Directors in Fraud Cases,” Jackson Walker Insights (July 2024)
- Co-Author, “Texas Legislature Creates the Business Court of Texas and Companion Court of Appeals,” Jackson Walker Insights (June 2023)
Community Involvement
- North Texas Food Bank, Advisory Council Member, 2018-2022
- Cedars Union Arts Incubator, Board of Directors, 2020-2022
Career Highlights
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)