Attorney Profile
Max R. Tarbox
Board-Certified Bankruptcy Attorney • Lubbock, Texas
Board-certified in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy. Over 20 years representing individuals, families, and businesses across West Texas in bankruptcy, receivership, and mediation.
Biography
A career built on second chances
Max R. Tarbox has spent more than two decades guiding West Texans through some of the most difficult financial moments of their lives. From a single parent overwhelmed by medical debt to a generations-old family farm facing foreclosure, his practice has always centered on people first — and on finding the legal path that protects them best.
A graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law, Max returned to Lubbock to build a practice rooted in the community he calls home. He earned dual board certifications in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a distinction held by only a small fraction of bankruptcy attorneys in the state — and went on to serve as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee for the Northern District of Texas.
Over the years, Max has handled thousands of consumer and business filings, complex Chapter 11 reorganizations, court-appointed receiverships, and contested mediations throughout West Texas. His clients include individuals and families, closely-held businesses, agricultural operations, professional firms, and creditors navigating insolvency proceedings.
Colleagues and clients consistently describe Max the same way: prepared, patient, and honest. He believes in straight answers, careful planning, and treating every case — no matter the size — with the seriousness it deserves.
Education
- J.D.Texas Tech University School of Law
- B.A.Texas Tech University
- CLE40-Hour ODR Mediation Training
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- U.S. District Court — Northern District of Texas
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Northern District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals — Fifth Circuit
Practice Focus
Areas of expertise
Six focused practice areas refined over two decades of West Texas representation.
Consumer Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings for individuals and families seeking a fresh start or a structured repayment plan.
Business Reorganization
Chapter 11 strategy for closely-held businesses, including DIP financing, plan confirmation, and creditor negotiation.
Chapter 12 Family Farms
Specialized representation for family farmers and fishermen with seasonal income and unique asset profiles.
Court-Appointed Receivership
Service as a court-appointed receiver and counsel to receivers in commercial and contested matters.
Bankruptcy Mediation
ODR-trained mediation in adversary proceedings, plan disputes, and creditor negotiations.
Creditor Representation
Counsel to secured and unsecured creditors in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 proceedings throughout the district.
Qualifications
Credentials & certifications
Distinctions earned through rigorous peer review and ongoing service to the bench and bar.
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Business & Consumer Bankruptcy
American Bankruptcy Board
Business Bankruptcy Certification
Chapter 7 Panel Trustee
Northern District of Texas
AV Preeminent
Martindale-Hubbell — top peer rating
"Bankruptcy isn't an ending — it's a legal tool for a new beginning. My job is to help good people use it well."
Max R. Tarbox
Honors
Awards & recognition
A record of recognition from peers, clients, and the West Texas community.
2017
Bob Black Bar Leaders Award
Lubbock County Bar Association
2011–2019
Texas Super Lawyer
Top 5% of Texas attorneys
2010, 2012–2017
Best Bankruptcy Lawyer
KCBD News
Ongoing
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
Ongoing
Chapter 7 Panel Trustee
Northern District of Texas
Memberships
Professional affiliations
Engaged participation across the bar and bankruptcy communities — local, state, and national.
- State Bar of Texas
- Lubbock County Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
- Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Bar
- Texas Tech School of Law Alumni
Case Experience
Notable representative matters
Anonymized examples drawn from two decades of practice. Client identities and identifying details omitted.
Family-owned manufacturer reorganized
Guided a multi-generational West Texas manufacturer through a contested Chapter 11. Negotiated a confirmed plan that preserved 40+ jobs and restructured $6M+ in secured debt.
Cotton & cattle operation saved from foreclosure
Represented a third-generation farming family facing imminent foreclosure on land and equipment. Achieved a confirmed Chapter 12 reorganization tied to seasonal income cycles.
Court-appointed receiver, contested partnership
Appointed by district court to take possession of disputed commercial real estate during partner litigation. Stabilized operations, accounted for receipts, and delivered final report.
Medical-debt-driven consumer filing
Represented a single parent buried under unexpected medical debt and a deficiency judgment. Discharged $180K+ in unsecured debt while preserving exempt homestead and vehicle.
Adversary proceeding resolved at mediation
Served as mediator in a contested preference and fraudulent transfer adversary. Brokered a structured settlement avoiding multi-week trial and protracted appeals.
Secured lender — equipment recovery
Counsel to a regional lender in Chapter 11. Negotiated adequate protection, lifted automatic stay where appropriate, and recovered the full secured position on multi-million-dollar equipment fleet.
Past results are illustrative and do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters.
Beyond the Practice
Community involvement
Service to West Texas extends well beyond the courtroom.
Lubbock County Bar
Active leadership and committee participation supporting the local legal community.
Pro Bono Service
Volunteer counsel for individuals facing financial hardship who could not otherwise afford representation.
Continuing Education
Regular speaker on bankruptcy CLE topics, mentoring younger attorneys entering the field.
Schedule with Max
The first consultation is free, fully confidential, and carries no obligation. Bring your questions — Max will give you straight answers about where you stand and what options make sense for your situation.
Call
(806) 686-4448
Office
2301 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401
