Overview
Tara Schellhorn helps businesses, financial institutions, and fiduciaries navigate financially distressed situations with clarity, strategy, and confidence. Her practice focuses on bankruptcy, restructuring, and complex insolvency matters, where she advises clients at every stage of a Chapter 11 case—from initial strategy through resolution.
Tara regularly represents debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, secured and unsecured creditors, financial institutions, and indenture trustees in high-stakes bankruptcy and restructuring matters. Clients rely on her to assess risk, protect value, and identify practical solutions when business operations, financing structures, or recovery prospects are under pressure.
A significant portion of Tara’s practice focuses on complex corporate lending issues, including the representation of indenture trustees in default and bankruptcy situations. She advises clients on distressed debt, lender rights, and financing-related disputes arising in insolvency proceedings, bringing a deep understanding of both legal and commercial considerations.
In addition to restructuring strategy, Tara has substantial experience in bankruptcy litigation, including preference and avoidance actions, nondischargeability disputes, and contested matters. Her practice also extends to civil litigation in federal and state courts, allowing her to guide clients through related disputes that often accompany financial distress.
A recognized leader in the insolvency community, Tara serves as global Vice Chair of the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), an organization devoted to connecting women in the practice of insolvency and restructuring worldwide. She is a former Network Chair of the New Jersey Network and recipient of IWIRC’s prestigious Melnick Award, honoring sustained and exceptional leadership. Tara is also an active leader within the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), the nation’s largest organization of bankruptcy professionals. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors and has served in various leadership roles over the last decade.
Tara holds various leadership roles in the New Jersey legal community including Vice Chair of the Lawyers Advisory Committee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, helping bridge communication between the bench and bar and chair of the Chapter 11 Rules Committee. She also serves as a Trustee for the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey.
In addition, Tara is active in the community where she serves as an elected member of the town council for Chester Township and a member of the Board of Trustees for The Westmont Montessori School (Mendham, NJ).
Through her extensive experience and leadership within the insolvency community and beyond, Tara offers clients a sophisticated yet pragmatic approach to restructuring and litigation. Her insight into both the legal and operational realities of financial distress enables clients to make confident, informed decisions at critical moments.
Recognition
- Chambers USA - America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2020 - 2025)
- The Best Lawyers in America® – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2020-2026); Litigation - Bankruptcy (2020-2026)
- "Lawyer of the Year," Newark Area - Litigation - Bankruptcy (2023)
- Super Lawyers (2025-2026)
- New Jersey Rising Stars® (2011-2022)
- International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) – Melnick Award for Exceptional Member (2021)
- American Bankruptcy Institute – 40 Under 40 (2019)
- New Jersey Law Journal - New Leaders of the Bar (2017)
- International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) – Rising Star Semi-Finalist Nominee (2014)
- National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ) – Next Generation Program (2013)
Memberships
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey - Vice Chair, Lawyers Advisory Committee (2022-Present); Chair, Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Local Rules Committee (2024-Present); Member (since 2019)
- United States District Court, District of New Jersey - Member, Bankruptcy Appeals Committee
- International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) – Secretary (2025); Strategic Planning Task Force (2024-Present); Finance Director (2024); Vice Finance Director (2023); U.S. Networks Director (2022); U.S. Regional Director (2021); Co-Director, U.S. Program Committee (2020); Vice Director, Fall Programming (2019); Director-at-Large and Vice Director, Regional Programming (2016-2018)
- American Bankruptcy Institute's (ABI) – Board of Directors (2025-Present); Co-Chair, Emerging Industries and Technology Committee (2024-Present); 40 Under 40 Award Steering Committee (2022-2023); Co-Chair, Young & New Member Committee (2020-2022)
- Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey – Trustee (2023-Present); Bench Bar Planning Committee (2023-Present); Member (since 2022)
- IWIRC New Jersey Network – Board Advisor (2024-Present); Immediate Past Chair (2022-2023); Co-Chair (2016-2021); Secretary (2012-2016); Member (since 2008)
- IWIRC at the Shore Conference - Former Chair (2017-2019 & 2020-2022); Vice Chair (2017-2019); Member (2014-2016)
- ABI Journal Editorial Board - Coordinating Editor, “Building Blocks” column (2020-2025)
- Thomson Reuters' Strategic Alternatives For and Against Distressed Businesses (2024 edition) - Editorial Board Member
- Supreme Court of New Jersey – Member, Committee on Character (2024-Present)
- Widener University Commonwealth Law School - Member, Dean’s Board of Advisors
- Morris County Bar Association – Member, Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee (2025-Present); Co-Chair, Women’s Lawyers Committee (2019-2023)
- Turnaround Management Association – Member
- National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges – Current Ambassador for NextGen Class of 2013
- New Jersey State Bar Association – Member
- Gettysburg College – Class of 2004 Reunion Committee (2009, 2019 & 2024)
Community Involvement
- Chester Township Council – Councilwoman (2023 – Present); Environmental Commissions (2020-2023)
- Westmont Montessori School (Mendham, NJ) - Board Member at Large (2020-Present)
- The Educational Foundation of the Chesters – Treasurer (2021-2025)
Speaking Engagements
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"A Game Changer — Does AI Pose a Threat or an Opportunity to the Turnaround Industry?," TMA Mid-Atlantic Regional Symposium, June 2025
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"Best Practices for Local Counsel in the District of New Jersey, Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey Brown Bag Series, May 2024
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"The Effect of Bankruptcy on State Court Proceedings," Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey and New Jersey State Bar Association, Federal Practice Bench-Bar Symposium, April 2025
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"The Practical and Ethical Issues of Attorneys' Fees in an Age of AI," American Bankruptcy Institute Annual Spring Meeting, April 2025
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"Chapter 11 Complex Procedures," AFBNJ/LAC, featuring Judge Mark E. Hall, Jeanne Naughton (Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey), Andrew Dickson (Chief Deputy Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey), Sean E. Quigley (Deputy-in-Charge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk's Office, District of New Jersey), and Martha R. Hildebrandt (Asst. U.S. Trustee for Region 3), February 2025
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"Evidence Workshop: Mastering the Rules of Evidence in Bankruptcy Court — Parts 1 & 2," American Bankruptcy Institute Winter Leadership Conference, December 2024
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"A False Sense of Security: Not All Liens are Treated Equal in Bankruptcy," Essex County Bar Association, IWIRC-NJ, and Morris County Bar Association, December 2024
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"Name That Case!," Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey William H. Gindin Bankruptcy Bench Bar Conference, May 2024
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"40 Under 40 Panel: Practice Tips with the Judges," American Bankruptcy Institute Mid-Atlantic Conference, August 2023
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"Chapter 11 Potpourri," Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey William H. Gindin Bankruptcy Bench Bar Conference, May 2023
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"1111(b) Wizardry," American Bankruptcy Institute Winter Leadership Conference, December 2022
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"Involuntary Bankruptcy — Procedures, Issues and Trying the Case," NJ State Bar Association Bankruptcy Law Section 2022 Bankruptcy and Restructuring Forum, November 2022
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"New Jersey Bankruptcy Court Virtual Town Hall Meeting," AFBNJ/IWIRC-NJ, featuring Chief Judge Michael B. Kaplan, Judge Vincent Papalia, Jeanne Naughton (Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey) and Andrew Vara (U.S. Trustee for Region 3), December 2021
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"What's a Creditor to Do? The Standing Doctrine in Bankruptcy Court," ABI Mid-Atlantic Virtual Bankruptcy Workshop, August 2021
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"The Future of Shopping Center Leases," New Jersey Continuing Legal Education Webinar, July 2021
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"New Jersey Bankruptcy Court Virtual Town Hall Meeting," AFBNJ/IWIRC-NJ, featuring Chief Judge Michael B. Kaplan, Judge Stacey L. Meisel, Jeanne Naughton (Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey) and Martha Hildebrandt (Asst. U.S. Trustee for Region 3), December 2020
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"How Close is Too Close? A Discussion of Insider Status in Bankruptcy," NJ State Bar Association Bankruptcy Section Bench-Bar Conference, March 2019
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"Small Business and Individual Chapter 11 Cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey," IWIRC and Mercer County Bar Association, March 2019
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"How to Network," Widener University Commonwealth Law School Professionalism Day, October 2018
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"Contracts, CROs, and Conversion: Examining Ethical Issues Arising During the Representation of a Debtor-in- Possession," NJ State Bar Association Bankruptcy Section Bench-Bar Conference, March 2018
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"Market Like a Girl," IWIRC-NJ, June 2017
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"Bankruptcy and Taxes: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know and a Few Things You Didn't," IWIRC and Essex County Bar Association, October 2016
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"Alternatives to Bankruptcy," IWIRC at the Shore Conference, March 2015
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"Issues in Individual Chapter 11 Cases," Bankruptcy Inn of Court, February 2015
Media Mentions
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"Proposed UCC Amendments Aimed at Virtual Currencies and Other Digital Assets," American Bankruptcy Institute Emerging Industries and Technology Committee's TechBytes Podcast, April 2023
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"Career Highlights and Journey," Sidebar Advisor Podcast, January 2023
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"Intersection of Title Law and Bankruptcy," Title Nerds Podcast, December 2021