EmergeLaw Celebrates the Honorable Nancy B. King’s Appointment to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

In September 2024, EmergeLaw, PLC proudly bid farewell to our esteemed colleague Nancy B. King as she embarked on the next chapter of her distinguished career: serving as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee. Her appointment to the bench is a testament to her deep knowledge of bankruptcy law, her unwavering professionalism, and the respect she has earned in the legal community.

A Legacy of Bankruptcy Expertise

Judge King's impact on the field of bankruptcy law in Tennessee cannot be overstated. A native Nashvillian, she graduated at the top of her class from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where she served as Comments Editor on the Board of the Law Review. Her early career was shaped by her clerkship with the Honorable Hewitt P. Tomlin on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, followed by 25 years of service as a career judicial law clerk to the Honorable George C. Paine, II (retired) and the Honorable Randal S. Mashburn in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Her transition to private practice brought EmergeLaw, PLC the benefit of her encyclopedic knowledge of bankruptcy law, practical wisdom, and measured approach to complex cases. As a member of the firm, Nancy provided strategic counsel to small and middle market businesses navigating Chapter 11 reorganizations, Subchapter V restructurings, and debt workouts. She also played a key role as counsel to unsecured creditors’ committees and consumer creditors in bankruptcy courts throughout Tennessee.

One prominent lawyer put it best: "Nobody knows more about how to get things done in bankruptcy court than Nancy King."

A Respected Leader and Educator in the Bankruptcy Community

Beyond her law practice, Nancy has been a thought leader in the field of bankruptcy law. She has authored numerous articles and is a frequent presenter at bankruptcy law seminars, sharing her deep understanding of the Bankruptcy Code, procedural strategy, and case law developments.

Her contributions extend beyond the courtroom and lecture halls. Nancy served for several years as Executive Director of a nonprofit entity developing affordable housing in and around Middle Tennessee, demonstrating her commitment to community development and public service.

A Well-Deserved Appointment to the Bench

Nancy’s transition to the judiciary is a natural progression for a lawyer who has spent her career dedicated to the fair, efficient, and knowledgeable application of bankruptcy law. Her ability to analyze complex financial restructurings, mediate competing interests, and apply the law with precision and fairness makes her an ideal addition to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

While we at EmergeLaw, PLC will greatly miss Nancy as a colleague and friend, we are thrilled to see her bring her wisdom, experience, and integrity to the bench. We look forward to seeing the positive impact she will continue to have on the bankruptcy bar and the broader legal community.

Congratulations, Judge King!