Stephen Moriarty’s practice is centered on bankruptcy, reorganization and insolvency law, as well as business finance. Moriarty, who has more than 35 years of experience, handles both creditors’ claims and debtors’ cases, and his clients range in structure from sole proprietors to limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability companies (LLCs). He also has worked with banks and lenders of all sizes.

Mr. Moriarty has served as a court appointed Chapter 11 Trustee for a publicly traded oil and gas production company and it's related entities.

Mr. Moriarty has been a receiver for the Oklahoma Department of Securities and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in Multiple Cases involving ponzi schemes.

Moriarty has served as an instructor for the National Business Institute since 1994, and he regularly leads seminars on elements of bankruptcy law. He also is a member of the Academy of Court-Appointed Masters.

Education

• Juris Doctor (University of Tulsa, 1982)
• Bachelor of Arts (State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1979)

Bar Admissions

• Oklahoma
• U.S. District Courts for the Western, Eastern, and Northern Districts of Oklahoma
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit

Professional Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Oklahoma Bar Association
• Oklahoma County Bar Association

Awards & Honors

• Academy of Court-Appointed Masters (ACAM)
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2011-20225
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Lawyer of the Year for Oklahoma City
  • Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Reorganization (2018)
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy (2025)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
• Super Lawyers, 2011-2014

Representative Matters & Clients

• In re Sturgeon, 496 B.R. 215 (B.A.P. 10th Cir. 2013): Represented the creditor, who had determined that the debtor was engaged in fraudulent conduct. This finding was upheld by the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the 10th Circuit.
• 2013 to Present: Served as lead counsel to a court-appointed receiver for two related automobile dealerships. Successfully negotiated the sale of these dealerships for an amount in excess of $25 million.
• 2012-2013: Served as lead bankruptcy counsel to two related national restaurant chains as debtor in possession. Obtained confirmation of a consolidated plan of reorganization within 120 days of filing.
• 2010-2012: Served as lead counsel to an individual against whom an involuntary bankruptcy petition was filed. Obtained a dismissal of the involuntary bankruptcy petition and an award of over $250,000 against the petitioning creditors, jointly and severally.
• 2010-2011: Served as lead bankruptcy counsel and successfully reorganized a $7 million asset-based lender.
• 2009 to Present: Served as lead bankruptcy counsel to a top 10 independent oil producer in cases pending throughout the United States.
• 2009 to Present: Served as lead bankruptcy counsel for a national holding company and its subsidiary life insurance companies in multiple Chapter 11 cases throughout the United States.
• 2009-2014: Served as receiver, appointed by the Oklahoma Department of Securities, for Storybook Properties LLC and related entities. Liquidated assets, pursued claims against management and returned a dividend to investors defrauded by a Ponzi scheme.
• 2009-2013: Served as receiver for the Commodities Futures Trading Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Securities for Prestige Ventures Corp. Liquidated assets, pursued claims against management and returned a dividend to investors defrauded by a Ponzi scheme.
• 2009-2012: Served as special master, appointed by the Oklahoma Department of Securities, for Global West Funding Ltd. Co., Global West Financial LLC, Sure Lock Financial LLC, Sure Lock Loans LLC, The Wave-Goldmade Ltd. and Brian McKye. Operated the company (seven payday loan offices), pursued claims against prior management and returned a dividend to investors defrauded by a Ponzi scheme.
• 2008 to 2011: Served as lead bankruptcy counsel for Boom Drilling Inc., debtor in possession, a Woodward land-based oil and gas drilling company with assets and liabilities in excess of $100 million and 450 employees.
• 2007-2008: Served as attorney for the court-appointed receiver of Phipps Enterprises Inc. Formulated a plan of dissolution that resulted in a sale of assets at a substantial premium to their appraised value, payment in full to creditors and a distribution to shareholders.
• 2003-2005: Served as receiver, appointed by the Oklahoma Department of Securities, for The Hickman Agency. Operated the company, liquidated its assets, pursued claims against prior management and returned a dividend of 15 percent to investors defrauded by a Ponzi scheme.

Articles & Publications

• “Gavel to Gavel: Studying Chapter 9,” The Journal Record, July 2012
• "The Impact of Bankruptcy on Creditors," National Business Institute, 2017
• “Oklahoma Foreclosure and Related Bankruptcy Issues,” National Business Institute, 2002
• “Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law and Procedure,” National Business Institute, 1996
• “Advanced Bankruptcy Process,” National Business Institute, 1994
• Co-author of “Mortgage Foreclosure Sales as Fraudulent Conveyances: The Durrett Issue,” 10 Oklahoma City University Law Review, 1985

Speaking Engagements

• Instructor and lecturer for the National Business Institute on bankruptcy-related topics (1994 to present)
• Spoke to the Oklahoma chapter of the Turnaround Management Association on issues relating to court-appointed receivers (December 2008)