James C. Vandermark Counsel

James concentrates his practice in the areas of bankruptcy, tax, and commercial law. He represents a variety of businesses, including financial institutions, corporations, insurance companies and government entities. His experience includes advising creditors and debtors in commercial and consumer bankruptcy cases as well as complex state and local tax matters. James also represents clients involved in bankruptcy restructuring efforts and adversarial proceedings, disputes involving business tax and real estate tax assessments, and other sophisticated commercial litigation matters. 

Prior to joining White and Williams, James was a Deputy City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia. In that role, he handled litigation involving creditor’s rights, tax disputes and other civil matters for local government agencies. He has extensive experience representing clients before administrative boards, trial courts and has handled appeals before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, Pennsylvania Supreme Court and The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

James works closely with clients to fully understand their needs and to formulate practical and efficient strategies for managing risks, resolving disputes, and reaching their goals. He is also actively involved in several industry associations, including the Philadelphia State and Local Tax Committee and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference, for which he served on the Local Rules Committee.

Representative Matters

• Represented an international construction equipment company against preference and fraudulent transfer claims utilizing mechanic’s liens and warranties as additional defenses to the avoidance claims. In re Magnetation LLC, et al., (Bankr. D. Minn. 15-50307)

• Successfully enforced client’s mechanic’s lien rights and recovered over $1M of assets from failed nuclear projects in Georgia and South Carolina; negotiated amendments to several commercial purchase order and equipment agreements as well as recovered prepetition and administrative expense claims on behalf of large commercial mining and construction companies in excess of $500K. In re Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, et al., (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 17-10751)

• Represented the City of Philadelphia in a state court trial and appeal involving the fair market value of a condominium development for real estate tax purposes. After three years of litigation, the City received favorable decisions before both the Court of Common Pleas and the Commonwealth Court, which resulted in an adjustment to the real estate assessment in excess of $70M. Dockside Associates/Pier 30, LP v. City of Philadelphia, No. 2258 C.D. 14 (Pa. Cmwlth 2016)
• Defended the City of Philadelphia in a bankruptcy adversary proceeding brought by a debtor seeking damages, including attorney fees, for an alleged violation of the automatic say. Although, the Bankruptcy Court found the City’s acts constituted a willful violation, the City argued that attorney’s fees could not be awarded as the debtor failed to establish the City’s acts caused an injury. On appeal, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania overruled the Bankruptcy Court and found in favor of the City. City of Philadelphia, Civil Action No. 15-01685 (E.D. Pa. 2015)

Recognition & Involvement

James is the immediate Past-President of the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association.