Terry Conner is the firm's Managing Partner and a member of its Board of Directors. He has more than 30 years experience in business transactions, including commercial loans, loan restructures, and such technology transactions as outsourcing, licensing, and strategic alliances, and technology contract disputes. He has been an adjunct professor of commercial law at Southern Methodist University School of Law, a Director of the Texas Association of Bank Counsel, the co-editor of the Commercial Loan Documentation Guide, the co-chair of the Southern Methodist University Law School Commercial Lending Institute, a lecturer on business law at The University of Texas at Dallas, and a member of the State of Texas Science and Technology Council appointed by then-Governor Bush. Terry has lectured and written on such topics as outsourcing transactions, pledges of intellectual property, guaranties, usury, restricted stock pledges, bankruptcy issues for commercial lenders, loan workouts, and lender liability, and has been published in the
Texas Law Review, Texas Tech Law Review, and
St. Mary’s Law Review.
Professional Recognition
- Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Banking, Law and Politics and Texas Monthly, 2003-2011
- Named one of The Best Lawyers in America in Banking and Finance Law, 2009-2012. Mr. Conner has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than 10 years.
- Voted one of the Best Lawyers in Dallas in Corporate Finance/Mergers & Acquisitions in D Magazine, 1997, 2007-2009, 2011
Professional Leadership
- University of Texas at Dallas School of Management Advisory Council
- Dallas Citizens Council Board of Directors
- Dallas Regional Chamber Board of Directors and Vice Chair, Education Advisory
- SMU-In-Taos Executive Board
- Dallas AfterSchool Network, Board of Directors
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pipeline Committee
Selected Representative Experience
Creditor's Committee Representation - El Paso Electric Company
Represented the Official Creditors’ Committee in the Chapter 11 case of El Paso Electric Company, the second investor owned public utility to file bankruptcy since the 1930’s. The case involved complex issues regarding the financing of El Paso’s investments in a nuclear power plant and the impact of recently enacted federal deregulation of the power industry. The case was concluded through the successful issuance of new public securities to refinance the pre-bankruptcy debt that totaled over $2 billion.
$300 Million Secured Credit Facility and Related Workout - Telecommunications
Representation of lender in a series of financings (aggregating $300 million) to a partnership that owned a controlling interest in a publicly traded cellular company, including loans secured by stock in the publicly traded company and the related workout of such loans resulting in 100 percent collection.
Information Technology Outsourcing of Aerolineas Argentinas, SA (Argentina)
Advising Sabre Inc. in its information technology outsourcing on behalf of Aerolineas Argentinas, SA (Argentina).
Debt Restructure and Collections
Represented Southwest Savings Association, Bonnet Resources, Amresco, and Sunbelt Savings Association in connection with the collection of hundreds of loans including, real property foreclosures, personal property foreclosures, litigation, demands for payment, restructurings, and bankruptcies. These loans covered all industries and involved many novel factual and legal issues.
Lincoln Properties, Vantage Properties, and Trammell Crow
Represented the major secured creditor in connection with the restructure of these major real estate organizations.
Leveraged Buyout Financing Transaction
Acted as counsel to senior lender in a leveraged buyout financing transaction to support the acquisition of a national services organization, involving structuring advice regarding multi-state collateral, acquisition feasibility, and lease financing.
$50 Million Representation of a National Bank
Represented national bank in structuring, documenting and closing a senior loan transaction, secured by publicly traded securities subject to trading restrictions under the Securities Laws, and by options to purchase additional public securities.
Receivables - Securitization
Acted as principal counsel for a publicly-traded metals recycling and steel company and its subsidiaries in documenting and consummating a $200 million account receivables securitization financing.
Online Publications
11/10/2010 -
The Economics of Partnership for New and Aspiring Partners
Industry veterans discuss the strategies driving partner compensation while highlighting the need for associates and partners alike to understand what is expected of them to increase earning potential and status in their firms.
01/18/2006 -
Location for National Bank for Diversity Jurisdiction
On January 17, 2006, a unanimous United States Supreme Court held in Wachovia Bank, N.A. v. Schmidt that, for purposes of accessing federal courts under the current diversity jurisdiction statute, 28 U.S.C.§1348, a national bank is a citizen only of the state in which its main office, as set forth in its articles of association, is located.
12/01/2005 -
2005 Texas Usury Reform: Finance Code Amendments Relating to Commercial Loans
In Texas, a lender who contracts for, charges, or receives interest in excess of the amount allowed by law can be subject to harsh penalties. In 1997 and 1999, the Texas Legislature passed several significant reforms that provided some relief to lenders under Texas’ usury statutes.
09/18/2003 -
International Considerations in Licensing
This presentation covers the major differences in international licensing, by U.S licensor; protecting intellectual property; Selected U.S. laws affecting international IP licenses; Other laws that affect the international license; multi-lateral treaties; Local foreign law and drafting to “Internationalize” the license.
Perfection of Security Interests in Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks