James Block

JIM is a partner at Krautkramer & Block LLC and for nearly 15 years has represented consumers, businesses and farmers, primarily in central, northern and western Wisconsin. He also has been a chapter 7 panel trustee for the Western District of Wisconsin since 2012, liquidating nonexempt assets for the benefit of creditors, and litigating preference and fraudulent transfer actions. He typically assists clients with determining their nonbankruptcy and bankruptcy options, including Wisconsin’s chapter 128 petition to amortize debt (three-year repayment plans), settlements and chapter 7 bankruptcies. He also represents clients in filing chapter 13 bankruptcy plans, and he enjoys assisting small business owners and farmers by helping them get caught up on past-due tax debt and obtaining discharges of eligible income tax debt. Previously, he was a summer associate at Foley & Lardner and Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, and he served as a volunteer attorney for the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Jim is a member of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Austin, Texas, Education Committee for 2023, for which he is active as a shepherd for its Small Business and Great Debates programs. He was re-elected to serve as a board member for the Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Creditors’ Rights Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin for a second term through 2025, through which he gives a voice to many local and rural attorneys who do not have the time or ability to serve. In addition, he was listed as a Super Lawyers “Wisconsin Rising Star” from 2019-22 and was a 2017 National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Blackshear Presidential Fellow. He is a member of ABI, the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Marathon County Bar Association.

Jim prides himself on his service to his community. He has provided hundreds of hours of free consultations to potential clients, including farmers, business owners and consumers. A G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy 2022 Class graduate, he also is dedicated to teaching and has presented at multiple seminars teaching bankruptcy law over the last 14 years. A native of the Philippines, he works to recruit and retain diverse talent through his service on the Wisconsin State Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee. He also has volunteered as a Cub Scout den leader for the last three years, teaching leadership and teamwork skills.