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Zakarij O. Thomas

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Email Address
(412) 594-5587
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Advises lenders and stakeholders on bankruptcy, restructuring, and complex real estate transactions with pragmatic insight

Zakarij “Zak” Thomas focuses his practice on bankruptcy, restructuring, workouts, and creditors’ rights, advising financial institutions, lenders, investors, and other stakeholders through distressed situations and complex enforcement matters. He brings more than two decades of experience navigating transactions and disputes that sit at the intersection of finance, insolvency, and real estate.

Zak regularly represents lenders in loan restructurings, forbearance agreements, intercreditor negotiations, debt sales, asset dispositions, and bankruptcy litigation, including real estate and going-concern sales both in and out of bankruptcy. Having spent substantial time early in his career handling bankruptcies and related litigation, he understands how deal terms perform when tested, and structures solutions accordingly.

In addition to his restructuring practice, Zak continues to represent real estate developers, owners, and lenders in acquisitions, financings, and complex real estate transactions, particularly those involving community development, affordable housing, tax credit structures, and public-private partnerships. His real estate work is deeply informed by his restructuring background, allowing him to anticipate risk, preserve value, and guide clients through challenges before they escalate.

Zak’s perspective is shaped by a rare combination of legal and business experience. After more than a decade in private practice, he spent three years as a senior program officer with one of the nation’s largest Community Development Financial Institutions, where he originated, underwrote, and serviced real estate loans and provided hands-on technical assistance to developers and nonprofit organizations. That experience gives him an insider’s understanding of how lenders, developers, and capital partners evaluate risk and opportunity—particularly in distressed or transitional projects.

Outside his practice, Zak is active in community development and nonprofit leadership throughout Western Pennsylvania. He enjoys spending time with his daughter, Mika, trail running with his springer spaniel, Lady, and working in the garden with his wife. A former competitive rower, he still hopes to return to the water one day.

Education

Duke University School of Law (JD)
Carnegie Mellon University (BS)
National Development Council (Certificate),
  • Rental Housing Development Finance Professional Certification 

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Office Location

  • Pittsburgh

Services

  • Bankruptcy & Restructuring
  • Real Estate

Industries

  • Finance
  • Construction

Departments

  • Bankruptcy & Restructuring

Professional & Community Affiliations

  • Allegheny County Bar Association, Member
  • Urban Land Institute, Member
  • Chuck Cooper Foundation, Founding Board Member
  • Leadership Pittsburgh, Graduate (2015)

LATEST News & Insights

The latest news & insights from our team at Tucker Arensberg.

Attorney Zakarij Thomas professional headshot.

Firm News, Press Releases

Tucker Arensberg Welcomes Zakarij “Zak” Thomas as Shareholder in Bankruptcy & Restructuring and Real Estate Practices

Zakarij O. Thomas

February 16, 2026

Education

Duke University School of Law (JD)
Carnegie Mellon University (BS)
National Development Council (Certificate)
  • Rental Housing Development Finance Professional Certification 

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Office Location

  • Pittsburgh

Services

  • Bankruptcy & Restructuring
  • Real Estate

Industries

  • Finance
  • Construction

Departments

  • Bankruptcy & Restructuring

Professional & Community Affiliations

  • Allegheny County Bar Association, Member
  • Urban Land Institute, Member
  • Chuck Cooper Foundation, Founding Board Member
  • Leadership Pittsburgh, Graduate (2015)

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