Morris Weiss, a restructuring and bankruptcy attorney based in KRCL’s Austin office, brings a unique blend of experience to his practice. His career has seen him in private practice, in-house counsel roles, and executive positions with technology companies, industrial companies, manufacturers, and financial services firms. This diverse background allows him to provide comprehensive guidance to clients navigating restructuring processes.
Morris’s practice serves a broad client base, including debtors, secured creditors, bondholders, asset purchasers, member of ad hoc groups and creditor’s committees, chapter 11 trustees, and various other parties in bankruptcy cases across multiple industry sectors such as real estate, banking, technology, energy, and healthcare. Morris has also undertaken selective fiduciary roles, including as a Chapter 11 trustee in an oil and gas case, in which he also serves as the post-confirmation litigation trustee. These experiences provide a deep understanding of the roles of fiduciaries in both out of court and in court matters. His methodical approach begins with identifying the client’s ultimate objective, followed by crafting a strategic pathway to achieve the desired outcome. He works collaboratively with attorneys specializing in finance, real estate, and litigation to deliver cost-effective and efficient solutions.
A few of Morris's current and recent matters include:
- Represented the Chapter 11 trustee and sold $28 million of real estate in Texas and Oklahoma that resulted in payment in full of all allowed claims pursuant to a confirmed plan, with a projected significant recovery to the debtor and preservation of additional unsold assets
- Served as Chapter 11 trustee and now as post-confirmation trustee of an oil and gas company; successfully brought numerous fraudulent transfer claims that resulted in a significant recovery to creditors, and a sizeable fraud judgment against the former CEO
- Serves as counsel to a member of the ad hoc group of convertible note holders in a Chapter 11 case of a synthetic biology company
- Served as counsel to one of the largest bondholders in the out-of-court exchange offer in 2021 of a natural gas company, under which the ad hoc group backstopped an $85 million rights offering and delivered the balance sheet by more than $580 million.
- Served as counsel to the debtor that resulted in a confirmed Chapter 11 plan for the holding company of a regulated insurance company; the fully consensual plan resulted in the settlement of various claims asserted by the Texas Department of Insurance, a major insurance company and investors holding claims in excess of $25 million
- Regularly represent portfolio distressed companies of private equity and venture capital firms in both in and out of court restructurings
Before his current role, Morris spent 14 years as a bankruptcy partner with the same core team of lawyers who are now with KRCL. Prior to that, Morris served in a series of roles, including in-house counsel positions at private and public companies, including a brokerage firm and a commercial bank. His career evolved further when he became an investment banker, serving as managing director at a specialized broker-dealer that secured over $1.3 billion in equity funding for various enterprises, including a winery and technology companies involving wireless spectrum. Morris’s legal career started with a global firm in Houston where he practiced for 12 years including as a partner for a number of years.
Morris's leadership experience is extensive, including serving as chief restructuring officer for a publicly traded company and holding board of directors’ positions across numerous private and public companies. His strategic acumen and ability to lead teams effectively have been instrumental in his career.
Practice Areas
- Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Creditors' Rights
Credentials
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Florida
- State Bar of New York
- State Bar of Texas
Education
- South Texas College of Law
- Babson College, B.S.
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Professional Affiliations
- Texas State Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Hon. Larry E. Kelly Bankruptcy American Inn of Court, Master
Honors
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2022-2025
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