William (Calvin) Smith

Calvin Smith focuses his practice on the representation of various creditors, asset purchasers, landlords, and other parties in commercial bankruptcy matters, workouts, loan restructurings, foreclosures, creditors’ rights litigation, and related matters.  He has been with Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, PLLC since 2017. 

Calvin began his career as law clerk to the Honorable Ross W. Krumm, then Chief Judge of the United... States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia from 1999-2001.  Since 2001, he has represented parties in bankruptcy courts, including litigation in numerous adversary proceedings and contested matters including defending clients from preference and fraudulent conveyance claims.  Earlier in his career, Calvin represented debtors in cases ranging from simple Chapter 7 liquidations to complex Chapter 11 restructurings and even the bankruptcy of an economic development authority under Chapter 9, and those experiences have helped him better serve his creditor clients. 

As many troubled businesses never end up in bankruptcy court, Calvin negotiates loan modifications, represents clients in state court litigation, advises clients on repossession of equipment, and conducts real estate foreclosures.  He performs loan document reviews in order to identify potential concerns and strengthen his clients’ positions prior to bankruptcy or litigation.  Calvin also has extensive experience with church lending issues in Virginia.  

He recently convinced the Chapter 11 trustee of a large bankruptcy case pending in California not to pursue claims against a Virginia business that received allegedly preferential and fraudulent conveyances in excess of $100,000.00, settled a contentious lease guaranty claim against solvent Chapter 7 debtors,  and successfully navigated payment in full of a bank’s claim against a real estate developer that was the subject of multiple forbearance agreements over several years.   

He is a 2008 graduate of the National Trial Advocacy College, a six-day, intensive litigation training program held annually at the University of Virginia School of Law.  He has served on the faculty of the annual Mid-Atlantic Institute on Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice organized by Virginia CLE and has taught other CLE courses in the areas of bankruptcy, landlord-tenant law, and collections.  

Calvin is a volunteer leader at St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington, North Carolina, and previously served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and as a commissioner and coach for two youth basketball leagues.  He enjoys time with his wife and children and recently became a grandfather.  He also enjoys golf, watching college sports, especially football and basketball, working in his yard, and spending time at the beach.