ABI Leadership Profile: John W. Ames, ABI President
We could not be more pleased that ABI President John Ames has agreed to be interviewed for our fourth ABI Leadership Profile column. John is a lawyer with the firm of Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald in Louisville, Ky. He earned his B.A. from the University of Louisville. After graduation, in quick succession, John joined the Marines, married his wife Janet and was shipped to Vietnam for a tour of duty. After his return, John obtained his J.D. from the University of Louisville School of Law magna cum laude, then started practicing law in Kentucky. He now has had a successful practice representing debtors, creditors and other parties in bankruptcy cases for more than 30 years. Meanwhile, on the home front, John and Janet have been married for over 40 years. They raised four children aged 25-35.
What do you do?
I am a bankruptcy attorney with the law firm of Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald in Louisville, Ky. I advise debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees and others regarding all aspects of bankruptcy law.
What are some of the more recent cases that you have been involved in?
American General (as debtor's counsel), Brill Media (as debtor's counsel) and ATA Airlines (as creditors' committee counsel).
Tell us about your recent trip to Vietnam and how that came about?
This recent trip to Vietnam was not my first. I first visited Vietnam as a 22-year old Marine second lieutenant in April of 1968. I spent 13 months there as a communications officer before returning to the United States. In October 2006, by an incredible stroke of luck, I met Vietnam's Ambassador to the United States. He asked me to visit Vietnam and address government and business leaders to teach them about U.S. chapter 11 reorganizations. Ultimately, in early 2007, I visited Vietnam (Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minn City (Saigon)) to lecture on chapter 11 bankruptcy practice. It was a great success. I have returned on business trips three times since my initial visit.
Although I was apprehensive about how I would be received on my first visit, I found that the Vietnamese could not be friendlier to me—whether I was in the south or north of Vietnam. It was surprising. No less unexpected were the changes to Vietnam itself. A large Marine base at My An Beach (also known—at least on television—as "China Beach") that I spent time at has been converted into a five-star resort. The country was simply beautiful. My memories of bombed-out buildings have been replaced with images of the new Vietnam. Meanwhile, I met some really good people with whom I have developed great relationships. My return trips to Vietnam have been great experiences on all levels.
[More details on John's trips to Vietnam are provided in the July/August issue of last year's ABI Journal ("One Marine’s Second Tour in Vietnam") and a related podcast (http://podcast.abiworld.org/?m=200707 .)
When did you become a member of ABI?
I have been an active member since 1985.
Describe your past and current involvement in ABI.
I was the chairperson of the Professional Fees and Compensation Committee for seven years. I also served as an ABI director for 11 years and was ultimately appointed Secretary of ABI.
How did you first get involved in ABI?
I really became active in ABI in the late 1980s. At that time, there was an overwhelming need for additional data on professional fees in bankruptcy cases. The result was the first ABI committee: the Professional Compensation Committee's predecessor. The members of that first committee were a "who's who" of ABI past-presidents, including Keith Shapiro, Andrew Caine, Ford Elsaesser, Deborah Williamson, John Penn, Bettina Whyte, Richardo Kilpatrick, Bob Fishman and Ed Creel. On the academic side, and among others, Elizabeth Warren and Ray Warner were active committee participants. As ABI meetings were then held but once a year (during August in balmy Washington, D.C.), and the Professional Compensation Committee needed more interaction, members agreed to meet at additional in-person committee meetings several times a year. We traveled all over the country: Florida, Chicago, New York, Dallas and Atlanta. Ultimately, the product of a lot of hard work by all involved was the first detailed analysis on professional compensation in bankruptcy released in 1991. The report truly became the barometer for bankruptcy compensation analyses.
How did you advance in ABI?
As noted above, I really started my work on the Professional Compensation Committee. Thereafter, I became more active by writing for the ABI Journal. Eventually, I lectured at various programs and became secretary and then vice-president of publications.
What advice do you have for young or new members who want to get more involved in ABI?
Become involved whenever you can! Work with the committees, write, lecture, help with the newsletters, participate in task forces, work on special projects or take another route. There is no set road for getting more involved in ABI—but you must be proactive. ABI has many great opportunities! It is up to you to take the first step.