Christopher A. Jones

Mr. Jones, managing partner in the Falls Church office and member of the firm’s Executive Board, is a business attorney who works with his clients to solve their legal problems through practical solutions. His practice runs the gamut from corporate restructurings, lease disputes, loan negotiations and documentation, common interest association disputes, commercial litigation, and general business advising.

Restructuring Practice

Mr. Jones has extensive experience in the insolvency area, regularly dealing with financial restructuring, distressed asset transactions, business turnarounds, and bankruptcy law, including insolvency related litigation. He has worked with clients in a variety of industries including commercial real estate, retail, automotive, government contracting, mortgage lending, consumer electronics, hospitality, convenience store, construction, electrical contracting, and non-profit associations. His expertise involves both in court and out of court workout solutions for his clients. 

His practice also includes representing all major constituencies in the distressed business arena, including companies and their owners, directors and officers, ad hoc and official committees, trade creditors and vendors, and court-appointed fiduciaries.

Mr. Jones has been involved in many of the “mega” chapter 11 cases filed in Virginia, including Enviva, Inc. Paper Source, Inc., Intelsat, SA, Nordic Air, Pier One, J Crew, Lord & Taylor, Guitar Center, Toys R” Us, Gymboree, LandAmerica Financial Group, Circuit City Stores, RoomStore, Inc., and Heilig-Meyers Corp. Mr. Jones has also represented bankruptcy trustees and liquidating agents in a variety of litigation matters. In addition to his work  in the insolvency arena, Mr. Jones also has trial experience in commercial litigation matters in federal court.

General Business Advising

Mr. Jones regularly advises businesses, business owners, and common interest associations on a variety of legal issues, including contract and lease matters, business litigation and arbitration matters, loan negotiation and documentation, and commercial disputes. His clients turn to him for timely and practical advice to address the needs of their business.
 

Recognitions

• Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Virginia (2015–Present)
• IFLR1000 United States, "Highly Regarded" in Restructuring and Insolvency (2020, 2024, 2025)
• Virginia Business magazine, Bankruptcy/Creditors' Rights "Legal Elite" (2019-2020)
• Best Lawyers in America^®, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy (2010–2027)
• Washingtonian Magazine, Washington, DC's Best Lawyers: Bankruptcy (2019)
• Virginia Super Lawyer^®, Bankruptcy (2012–2019, 2024-Present); "Rising Stars" (2007–2011)
• AV Preeminent^®: Martindale-Hubbell^® Peer Review Ratings™

 

Memberships & Activities

• Managing Partner of Whiteford's Falls Church, Virginia office
• Member of Whiteford’s Executive Board
• Member: American Bankruptcy Institute
• Member: Turnaround Management Association
• Former Member and Chair of Board of Governors: Bankruptcy Law Section, Virginia State Bar
• Former Member and Council Chair: Bankruptcy Section, Virginia Bar Association
• Board Member of the Northern Virginia Bankruptcy Bar Association and Past President
• Board Member: Northern Virginia Bankruptcy Association
• Board Member: Balmoral Community Association
• Member: Liaison Committee to the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

chapter 11 reorganizations

• Co-counsel to Ad Hoc Group of noteholders in the cases of Intelsat SA, which resulted in the successful restructuring of the companies’ balance sheet to reduce its debt by over $8 billion with the support of noteholders
• Co-counsel to Paper Source, Inc. and affiliates in their chapter 11 cases which resulted in the successful sale of substantially all of the companies’ assets in a going concern transaction
• Co-counsel to Ad Hoc Group of Taj Noteholders in Toys “R” Us, Inc. Chapter 11 case (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Richmond Division) where clients successfully acquired the majority ownership interest in various foreign businesses operating under the TRU brand
• Counsel for FUJIFILM North America in numerous bankruptcy matters across the country, including the NewZoom Chapter 11 case, Portrait Innovations Chapter 11 case, Ritz Camera Chapter 11 case, and Vertis Chapter 11 case
• Counsel to individual real estate developer in Chapter 11 case (Bankr. D. Md.), obtaining confirmation and consummation of chapter 11 plan involving over $20 million in claims
• Counsel to Tobacco Row Apartments (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Richmond Division), a $20 million historic apartment development, in its successful reorganization which paid all creditors 100% of claims
• Counsel to Heilig-Meyers Corporation (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Richmond Division), a large furniture retailer, in its Chapter 11 case
• Counsel to Fas Mart Convenience Stores in its Chapter 11 case (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Richmond Division)
• Counsel to Tultex Corporation in its Chapter 11 case (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Richmond Division)
• Counsel to individual debtor in obtaining $19 million plan financing, paying all creditors 100% of claims

 

creditors committee representation

• Counsel to the Unsecured Creditors Committee of Golden Key Group (Bankr. Md.) where the Court approved a plan of reorganization supported by the committee that will repay creditors 100% of allowed claims
• Counsel to the Unsecured Creditors Committee of Foresight Energy and affiliates in their successful Chapter 11 cases (Bankr. E.D. Mo.) where the Court approved a plan of reorganization supported by the committee
• Co-counsel to Unsecured Creditors Committee in Gymboree Group, Inc. Chapter 11 case (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Richmond Division)
• Co-counsel to Unsecured Creditors Committee in GST Autoleather Chapter 11 case (Bankr. D. Del.) where the Court approved a plan of reorganization supported by the committee
• Counsel to the Unsecured Creditors Committee of Ennstone, Inc. (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Richmond Division), which mined, processed and sold sand/gravel products and concrete.  The Court approved a committee supported plan of reorganization
• Counsel to Unsecured Creditors Committee in Mohawk Marketing Chapter 11 case where the Court approved the Committee's plan of liquidation
• Counsel to Unsecured Creditors Committee of Rennie Petroleum Corporation (Bankr. E.D. Va. - Richmond Division)

 

bankruptcy litigation

• Special litigation counsel to bankruptcy trustee for a large furniture retailer to pursue avoidance actions and D&O claims (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Richmond Division) and recovered over $5 million for the estate
• Special litigation counsel to bankruptcy trustee in a mortgage fraud case (Bankr. E.D. Va. – Alexandria Division) and recovered over $7 million for the estates through pursuit of avoidance claims

 

commercial litigation

• Counsel to government contractor in successful litigation resulting in judgment for over $2 million in damages for breach of indemnity and fraud related to acquisition of business

bankruptcy Opinions

• In re Blue Ridge Limousine and Tour Service, Inc., 2014 WL 4101595 (Bankr. E.D. Va. August 20, 2014) (represented debtor)
• In re: Thoburn Limited Partnership, 513 B.R. 887 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 2013) (represented debtors)
• Allen v. Park Place Condo. Ass'n (In re Allen), 2011 Bankr. LEXIS 2217 (E.D. Va. June 2, 2011) (represented condominium association)
• Gold v. Sovereign Bank (In re Taneja), 453 B.R. 618 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 2011)(represented chapter 11 trustee)
• Smoot v Tavenner, 2006 U.S. App. LEXIS 13366 (4th Cir. May 30, 2006) (represented chapter 7 trustee)
• Ruck v. Tavenner, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22493 (E.D. Va. 2006) (represented chapter 7 trustee)
• In re Epley, 2005 Bankr. LEXIS (Bankr. E.D. Va. Dec. 28, 2005) (represented chapter 7 trustee)
• In re Tobacco Road Phase IA, LLP, 338 B.R. 684 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 2005) (represented chapter 11 debtor)
• Lubman v. C.A. Guard Masonry Contrs., Inc. (In re Gem Constr. Corp. of Va.), 2000 Bankr. LEXIS 1769 (Bankr. E.D. Va. Jan. 11, 2000) (represented chapter 7 trustee)

 

Other Opinions

• Caudill v. County of Dinwiddie, 259 Va. 785, 529 S.E.2d 313 (2000) (securities litigation)
• Hayes v. 4 E Corp., 2000 Va. App. LEXIS 23 (Va. App. 2000) (workers’ compensation)
• Walker v. Mason, 257 Va. 655, 10 S.E.2d 734 (1999) (personal injury)
• Bass v. City of Richmond Police Dep’t, 258 Va. 103, 515 S.E.2d 557 (1999) (workers’ compensation)
• Augusta County Sheriff’s Dep’t v. Overbey, 254 Va. 522, 492 S.E.2d 631 (1997) (workers’ compensation)
• Lindenfeld v. City of Richmond Sheriff’s Office, 25 Va. App. 775, 492 S.E.2d 506 (1997) (workers’ compensation)

Articles & Publications

“Rewarding Good Behavior: Courts Should Approve Exculpation for the Pre-Petition Conduct of RSA Parties,” with Alexandra DeSimone, American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (July 2022)

"Five Things You Need to Know About Your Customer in Bankruptcy," (November 17, 2020)

“Strategies for Exposing Bias in an Opposing Expert Witness” with Jennifer E. Wuebker, Bankruptcy Law News, Bankruptcy Law Section, Virginia State Bar (Spring 2017)

“Recent Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure” with Aaron Casagrande, Bankruptcy Law News, Bankruptcy Law Section, Virginia State Bar (Spring 2016)

“Bullock v. BankChampaign: Supreme Court Establishes a Heightened Standard for Determining “Defalcation” by a Fiduciary Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523(a)(4)” with Justin P. Fasano, Bankruptcy Law Section, Virginia State Bar (Fall 2013)

“Required Reading for Banks and Other Secured Lenders:  In Re Tousa, Inc., 680 F.3d 1298 (11th Cir. 2012)” with Richard Maxwell, Fee Simple, Real Property Section, Virginia State Bar (Spring 2013)
 

“Stern v. Marshall in Virginia” with David W. Gaffey, Bankruptcy Law News, Bankruptcy Law Section, Virginia State Bar (Winter 2013) 

“Getting Your Money: Victim’s Pursuit of Claims Against Third Parties in Ponzi Schemes; Madoff Courts Toss Claims Against Banks”, Commercial Fraud Committee Newsletter, American Bankruptcy Institute (February 2012)

“Three Liens Under Virginia Law that May be Recorded Post-Petition Under Sec. 362(b)(3)” with Aaron L. Casagrande, Bankruptcy Law News, Bankruptcy Law Section, Virginia State Bar (Winter/Spring 2009) 

“Revoking the Debtor’s Discharge under Sec. 727(d)(3)” with Tara L. Elgie, Bankruptcy Litigation Committee Newsletter, American Bankruptcy Institute (January 2007)

Presentations & Seminars

“A Practical Guide to ‘First’ and ‘Second’ Day Pleadings in Chapter 11 Cases” – Panelist at the 34^th Annual Hal J. Bonney Seminar on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice presented by the Tidewater Bankruptcy Bar Association (February 2026)

“Mediation and Arbitration in Bankruptcy” - Panelist at the 40th Annual Mid-Atlantic Institute on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice (September 2025)

Experts Workshop – Panelist at the Annual Spring Meeting of the American Bankruptcy Institute (April 2025)

“Ethics:  Use of Artificial Intelligence in Bankruptcy Practice” – Panelist at the 39th Annual Mid-Atlantic Institute on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice (September 2024)

“Understanding Subchapter V” – Panelist at the Virginia CLE’s Annual Bankruptcy Practice Seminar 2024 (March 2024)

“Commercial Real Estate Workouts” – Panelist at the 38th Annual Mid-Atlantic Institute on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice (September 2023)

“Ethical Implications on the Use of AI in Legal Practice” – Panelist at the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 2023 Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop (August 2023)

"Bankruptcy Law Update" – Presenter at the Continuing Legal Education Weekend for the Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys (May 2023)

"Fee-Application/Compensation Issues" – Panelist at the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 15th Annual Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop (August 2019)

“Recent Caselaw Update” – Panelist at the Annual Bankruptcy Practice Seminar 2019 (March 2019)

“Hot Topics – Discussion of Various Complex Legal Issues in Commercial and Bankruptcy Cases” – Panelist at the 33^rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Institute on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice (November 2018)

“Bankruptcy Law Primer for the Non-Bankruptcy Attorney” – Panelist at the VBA Summer Meeting (August 2018)

“A Primer on the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act: Substance, Implementation and Legal Interpretation” – Panelist at the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 2018 Annual Spring Meeting (April 2018)

“Ethics:  Getting Paid in Large, Small, and Converted Cases” – Panelist at the 32^nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Institute on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice (September 2017)

“Structured Dismissals and Gifting In Chapter 11” – Panelist at the 31^st  Annual Mid-Atlantic Institute on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice (September 2016)

Effective Bankruptcy Mediation: Not Just A Litigation Shortcut and Electronic Discovery Issues In Bankruptcy Cases – Panelist at the 30^th Annual Mid-Atlantic Institute on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice (September 2015)

“Modern Fraudulent Transfer Litigation” – Panelist at the Spring Seminar of National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees (April 2014)

“When a Chapter 11 Case Goes Bad” – Panelist at the Virginia CLE’s Hot Topics in Bankruptcy Law (March 2014)

“Bankruptcy Ethics: NOT an Oxymoron” – Panelist at the VBA Bankruptcy Law Conference (May 2013)

“Ethics of Representing Debtors and Estates in Bankruptcy” – Panelist at the Northern Virginia Bankruptcy Bar Association (March 2013)

“Bankruptcy Litigation:  A Discussion of Prima Facie Cases, Affirmative Defenses, and Related Issues” – Panelist at the VBA Bankruptcy Law Conference (May 2012)

“New Developments and Strategies in Bankruptcy Preference Defense” – Panelist for ABA Webinar (February 2012)

“Trial Practice, Stipulation and Presentation of Evidence” – Panelist at the 20th Annual  Hal J. Bomney Seminar on Bankruptcy and Reorgnization Practice presented by the Tidewater Bankruptcy Bar Association (February 2012)

“To Be or Not To Be Employed in Bankruptcy:  A Consideration of Ethical Issues” – Panelist at the VBA Bankruptcy Law Conference (May 2011)

“Ethics ‘Stew’ – A Smorgasbord of Issues involving Ethics in Bankruptcy” – Panelist at the VBA Bankruptcy Law Conference (May 2010)

“Selling, Buying and Keeping Technology Licenses in Bankruptcy” – Panelist at the Committee Educational Session (Technology and Telecommunications) Spring 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Bankruptcy Institute

“Current Issues involving Ethics in Bankruptcy” – Panelist at the VBA Bankruptcy Law Conference (April 2009) 

“Bankruptcy Basics – a Primer” – Presenter, Lexwork International (October 2008)

“Post-Judgment Collections & Bankruptcy Issues” – Presenter, NBI Collections Seminar (October 2007)

“Bankruptcy Law Essentials for the Employment Law Generalist” – Panelist at the VBA Annual Meeting (January 2007)

“Bankruptcy Law Essentials for the Employment Law Generalist” – Panelist at the VBA 36th Annual Conference on Labor Relations and Employment Law (October 2006)

“The Three Phrases No One Wants to Hear: Conflict of Interest, Inadequate Disclosure, and Disgorgement of Fees” –  Presenter, VBA Bankruptcy Law Conference (April 2006)

“No Good Deeds Go Unpunished – Bankruptcy Issues in Real Estate” – Contributor and Panelist, 22nd Annual Real Estate Practice (2004)