John Massouh

Biography & Practice Distinctions

Known as the go-to attorney for cattle issues, John Massouh has a nationwide practice centered on agricultural and bankruptcy law. He handles high-stakes litigation, bankruptcy and corporate matters, including some of the nation’s best-known agribusiness failures, and advised on the acquisition of the world’s largest cattle feeding entity.

John’s agribusiness clients include feedyards, ranchers, dairies, farmers, lenders and industry associations across the country. He advises them on day-to-day operations, transactions and acquisitions, and on the intricacies of the Packers & Stockyards Act and the Food Security Act. His work spans cattle care and feeding, feeding agreements, husbandry practices, lien disputes, debt collection, grazing rights and every aspect of agricultural lending.

On the bankruptcy side, John handles complex Chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13 cases and related litigation. He represents secured and unsecured creditors and other interested parties, and his past clients include leading financial institutions and large publicly traded companies.

A seasoned trial lawyer, John has won favorable verdicts at trial and secured successful rulings in state, federal and bankruptcy courts. He has also served as lead and local counsel in numerous federal matters.

Admissions

• Texas State Courts (2000)
• 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
• U.S. Tax Court

Education

• Texas Tech University School of Law, Juris Doctor (2000)
• University of Texas, Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance (1997)

Awards & Recognition

• Texas Bar Foundation Fellow

Bar Memberships

• State Bar of Texas
• Amarillo Area Bar Association
• Amarillo Bankruptcy Bar Association

Professional Memberships & Activities

• Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Texas Association of Bank Counsel
• American Bankruptcy Institute

Civic & Community Involvement 

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Texas Panhandle Board of Directors (2005-2008)
• Leadership Amarillo and Canyon (Class of 2005)

Presentations & Publications

• “Ag Law Basics,” Texas Bankers Association’s 2026 Agriculture & Rural Affairs Conference (April 2026)
• “Recent changes to the Bankruptcy Code for Family Farmers,” 14th Annual John Huffaker Agriculture Law Course, State Bar of Texas (May 2021)
• “Best Practices for Purchasing and Selling Cattle,” TCFA (September 2020)
• “Ag Bankruptcies,” 10th Annual John Huffaker Agricultural Course, State Bar of Texas (May 2016)
• “Recent Revisions to the UCC” (June 2013)
• “Feedyard Lending and Marketing” (April 2013)
• “Bankruptcy Basics” (December 2012)
• “Overview of Common Livestock Issues,” West Texas Bankruptcy Institute (October 2011)
• “Where’s the Beef? A Workshop on Cattle Lending” (July 2011)
• “Recovering Attorney and Paralegal Fees,” Strategies for Damages and Attorney Fees 2010, State Bar of Texas (February 2010)