Mr. Terry’s practice is concentrated in the area of complex commercial, bankruptcy, and estate litigation.  Chris is constantly resolving disputes with banks, debt acquisition companies, and other financial institutions over the enforcement of commercial and real estate loans, leases, foreclosure actions, and lender liability claims. Chris has represented numerous borrowers in workouts of distressed loans and approaches each new matter with a practical approach to resolving the dispute. He regularly negotiates out of court workouts with lenders to avoid protracted litigation, but he is always prepared to aggressively pursue litigation where necessary.

Mr. Terry represents clients in breach of contract matters, shareholder disputes, real estate ventures, and defense of collection actions, including personal property repossessions, real property foreclosures, receiverships, and execution enforcement.  Additionally, Chris handles all phases of bankruptcy litigation, including representation of debtors in Chapter 11, 13, and 7 cases, adversary proceedings and appeals, and cases involving sophisticated contract and property disputes and business torts.

Mr. Terry’s practice also focuses on all phases of probate and trust litigation, with an emphasis on asset protection and wealth preservation.  Chris regularly works with high net worth individuals and business owners to structure appropriate asset protection strategies, facilitate wealth management, and assist with the efficient transition of wealth to future generations.

In addition, Mr. Terry advises small businesses on a daily basis with regard to all aspects of their operations, including organizing and/or incorporating the business, day-to-day employment matters, tax matters, budgeting and financial strategies, restructuring debt, and transition of ownership.

Mr. Terry has been awarded an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubble®, an award which is only made to the top 10% of attorneys nationally.  Chris graduated from Georgia Tech in 1997, with a B.S. in Management and Certificate in Finance, and earned his J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University in 2001.  He is currently a member of the Macon Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, and the State Bar of Georgia.

A Macon native, Mr. Terry returned home in January of 2004 to join Stone and Baxter, LLP.  Prior to his return, Chris practiced with the firm of Moore, Clarke, DuVall & Rodgers, P.C. in Albany, GA, where he was a member of the firm’s business law section and focused his practice on creditor representation.  He represented several large agricultural lenders and local banks in their secured lending transactions and collection matters.

Chris is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He is also active in service to his profession and community.

REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS:

• Represented debtors in Chapter 11 cases involving commercial real estate, property developers, general contractors, environmental consultants, rental properties, medical practices, entertainment complexes, restaurants, commercial grading, pipe and excavation, race tracks, commodity brokers, farming and timber operations, and individual debtors.
• Defended debtors in adversary proceedings related to fraudulent transfers, turnover actions, preferences, and dischargeability complaints.
• Represented numerous borrowers in defense of lender suits on notes and personal guaranties.
• Handled out-of-court workouts, loan modifications, and forbearance agreements with numerous lending institutions, including banks/third parties acquiring debt from the FDIC in connection with failed banks.
• Worked with lenders to negotiate the disposition of loan collateral, including UCC sales, foreclosures, writs of possession, receiverships, and execution enforcement.
• Defended receivership complaints, including receivership initiated by the State of Georgia.
• Defended employment discrimination and wage & hour complaints.

REPORTED DECISIONS:

• In re Tom’s Foods, Inc., 2005 WL 3022022 (Bankr. M.D. Ga. 2005)
• In re Granger, 2008 WL 3852732 (Bankr. M.D. Ga. 2008)
• In re Smith, 2008 WL 4527772 (Bankr. M.D. Ga. 2008)
• In re Graham Bros. Construction, Inc., 2011 WL 8228886 (Bankr. S.D. Ga. 2011)
• Shropshire v. Alostar Bank of Commerce, 314 Ga. App. 310 (2012)
• Big Sandy Partnership, LLC v. Branch Banking & Trust, 313 Ga. App. 871 (2012)
• In re Michael C. Ray, 2012 WL 6110198 (Bankr. M.D. Ga. 2012)
• In re Kimrow, 534 B.R. 219 (Bankr. M.D. Ga. 2015)