About Cross Law Firm, P.L.C
James E. Cross, Esq.
James "Jim" Cross moved to the Phoenix area in 1980 after honorably serving his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard. Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business from The Ohio State University in 1980, graduating cum laude; and his Juris Doctorate from the Sandra Day O’ Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in May, 1983. Later that year he was admitted to the practice of law in the state of Arizona. Jim was admitted to the state bar of Texas in 1989. Jim is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Since 1989, Jim has been certified as a Specialist in Bankruptcy Law by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.
Most recently, in February 2020, Jim was appointed by the Office of the United States Trustee as a Subchapter V Pool Trustee. Jim was the first Subchapter V Trustee to be appointed in the state of Arizona, and among the first in the nation, among only 250 in the entire country. Jim is also now in the pool serving the state of New Mexico.
Jim has practiced bankruptcy law at several successful law firms in Phoenix. He has represented debtors, creditors, committees (equity and unsecured), trustees, asset purchasers, and virtually every other party appearing in bankruptcy proceedings. Jim has also served as a court appointed examiner, trustee and mediator. Jim holds an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell in the areas of bankruptcy and insolvency practice, has been repeatedly recognized among the Best Law Firms in America by U.S. News and World Report, and has been nominated by his peers in SuperLawyers Magazine for the past several years. For the past 40 years, he has appeared in nearly all of the valley's high profile bankruptcies including America West Airlines, Circle K Corporation, the Phoenix Coyotes Hockey Club, Mortgages, Ltd., Danny’s Family Car Wash, Inc. and Bashas’, Inc.
In January 2012, Jim left his position as Chair of the Bankruptcy Department at the Phoenix law firm, Osborn Maledon, PA, and later established Cross Law Firm, PLC. Simultaneously, he founded a business restructuring firm which focuses on troubled loans, receiverships, and related non-legal matters. For more information on Cross Business Consulting Services, LLC please CLICK HERE.
Nathan A. Finch, Of Counsel
Nathan Finch joined The Cross Law Firm, PLC as Of Counsel in August 2023. Nathan's journey in Arizona began in 1998, and in the years since, he has woven a tapestry of experience that spans both the business and legal realms. His business ventures encompass a spectrum of industries: from medical practices which address the health needs of the community, and mortgage firms that facilitate homeownership, to digital entrepreneurship with internet-based businesses. His depth in real estate is evident, not only through property development and investment initiatives but also in his role as a Realtor©.
Academically, Nathan showcased his commitment to legal studies by earning his Juris Doctorate from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2013. He is licensed to practice in Arizona and admitted before the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
His dedication to the legal community was evident when he served on the executive committee of the Arizona Bankruptcy American Inn Of Court until 2020. The state bar's recognition of Nathan for his pro bono work underscores his ethos of giving back, a value he has carried into his recent association with the Cross Law Firm, after running an impactful bankruptcy practice on his own. Through each endeavor, Nathan has demonstrated a consistent commitment to expertise, integrity, and community service.
Kara L, Stewart, Paralegal, Office Manager
Kara Stewart is an Arizona native who holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management, is an Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer, and is also a Realtor© in her spare time. Kara has been working in the legal industry here in Arizona as either a secretary, paralegal, or both for more than 25 years. The crux of Kara's legal experience has been in corporate bankruptcy and creditors rights, and she has been a Certified Bankruptcy Assistant with the Association of Bankruptcy Judicial Assistants for more than ten years. Kara previously worked with Jim Cross at the law firm Osborn Maledon, PA, and rejoined him at Cross Law Firm in 2016. Kara also works alongside Jim at Cross Business Consulting Services, LLC.