Thomas B. Allington

Indianapolis Bankruptcy Attorney

Attorney Tom Allington’s practice is focused on bankruptcy matters and trustee representation, often providing advice in highly-complex and unique matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Tom was a professor of law for 37 years at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he also served as associate dean for academic affairs (1990-1997) and associate dean for technology (1999 to 2007). He was also a professor at the University of South Dakota School of Law (1966-1969) and a visiting professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law (1969-70) and the University of Arizona College of Law (1979). He has taught courses in federal taxation, trusts and estates, business and estate planning, debtor-creditor relations, bankruptcy, commercial law and trade regulation.

Professor Allington is a member of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation where he serves on the Bankruptcy and Workouts Committee and formerly chaired the Agriculture Committee. He is also an elected member of the American Law Institute and the American College of Tax Counsel. He served on the Advisory Committee for Attorney Specialization of the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education from 1998 to 2011. He was a member of the Indiana Code Revision Commission in 2004 and during 2004-2005 served as Reporter for the Committee on Amendments to the Indiana Exemption Statute of the Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Section of the Indiana State Bar Association.

How I Help

Despite the existence of substantial bankruptcy case law and regulations, situations continue to arise involving matters that are not squarely addressed by existing law. My role at the firm is to research such matters, and to provide an opinion as to how arguments can be made, and a position developed, that best support the interests of firm clients. As a long-time law professor, I offer clients the knowledge and considered opinions gained over a lifetime of practicing law.

  • “The Basics of Individual Bankruptcy: Exemptions,” Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Indianapolis IN, April 6, 2011
  • Panelist, “Topics of Interest to Trustees”, Annual Chaper 7 Trustee Seminar, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis IN, September 24, 2010
  • Panelist, “Ethical Issues for Chapter 13 Trustees”, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee Conference, U.S. Trustee Program – Regions 10 and 13, Indianapolis IN, April 23, 2010
  • “Basics of Bankruptcy: Exemptions,” Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Indianapolis IN, March 31, 2010
  • Panelist, “Ethical Issues in Bankruptcy”, Chapters 7 and 13: Basic Filing Considerations and Practice, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, Heartland Pro Bono Council, and Indianapolis Bar Association, Indianapolis IN, December 11, 2009
  • Panelist, “Ethics”, Region 10 Chapter 7 Panel Trustee Conference, Office of the United States Trustee, Indianapolis IN, November 3, 2009
  • Panelist, “Ethical Issues in Bankruptcy”, Consumer Bankruptcy and Mortgage Foreclosure, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, Heartland Pro Bono Council, and Indianapolis Bar Association, Indianapolis IN, December 5, 2008
  • Panelist, “Ethics Issues”, Region 10 Chapter 7 Panel Trustee Conference, Office of the United States Trustee, Indianapolis IN, October 10, 2008
  • Panelist, “Ethics Issues for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees”, Region 10 Conference for Chapter 7 Panel Trustees, Executive Office of the U.S. Trustee, Indianapolis, IN, September 21, 2007
  • “Attorneys and Law Firms as ‘Debt Relief Agencies’ Under the Bankruptcy Code”, Annual Bankruptcy Institute, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, December 14-15, 2006
  • “Proposed Amendments to the Indiana Exemption Statute”, Annual Bankruptcy Institute, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, December 18-19, 2003 and December 21-22, 2004
  • “Proposed Revisions to the Indiana Exemption Statute”, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Section of the Indiana State Bar Association, October 24, 2003
  • “Accreditation of Lawyer Specialty Certification Organizations”, Attorney Specialization, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Commission, June 15, 2000
  • “Discharge of Individual Income Tax Liabilities in Bankruptcy”, American Bar Association, Section of Taxation, Washington, D.C., May 13, 2000
  • “Tax Incentives for Preservation of Farmland”, Hoosier Farmland Preservation Task Force, May 14, 1998
  • “Dischargeability of Taxes in Bankruptcy”, Spring Meeting of the Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Section of the Indiana State Bar Association, April 18, 1996

Bankruptcy is the great equalizer, with exceptions.

  • LL.M., New York University (1971)
  • J.D., University of Nebraska (1966)
  • B.S., University of Nebraska (1964)
  • Indiana State Bar
  • Nebraska State Bar (inactive)
  • United States Tax Court
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • United States District Court for the District of Nebraska
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Indianapolis Bar Association
  • Indiana State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American Law Institute
  • American College of Tax Counsel
  • Nebraska State Bar Association (inactive)