“I am dedicated, loyal and practical.”
Michael concentrates his practice in commercial bankruptcy and corporate reorganization representing debtors, institutional lenders, secured creditors, trade creditors, creditor committees, landlords, equipment lessors and Chapter 7 trustees in workouts, restructurings, foreclosures and bankruptcies. Michael has represented debtors spanning a range of industries in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors in Chapter 11 reorganizations.
Michael enjoys helping people, which is what motivated him to become a lawyer. Despite having a career that allows him to serve his community, he is also a frequent volunteer for various organizations. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, mountain biking, and fishing. He also plays and coaches ice hockey.
Michael has experience in many different types of commercial and bankruptcy-related litigation, including avoidance of preferences and fraudulent conveyances, subordination, nondischargeability, determination of secured status, and other adversary proceedings.
After graduating law school, Michael served as law clerk to the Honorable Vincent A. Cirillo in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania where he wrote on many important issues arising under Pennsylvania law.
Some of Michael’s more notable cases include:
- Successfully reorganizing a regional multi-specialty medical practice comprised of fifty-three (53) physicians in a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Proceeding resulting in a significant reduction of debt and continued operations;
- Successfully defending a Colorado company engaged in the specialized field of designing and installing electronic security and detention systems at state and federal correctional institutions throughout the country in $10,000,000.00 lawsuit resulting in nuisance value settlement;
- Representing a national energy company in dispute with landlord over moving headquarters in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Virginia;
- Representing a public company, in its Chapter 11 reorganization where we prevented the forced sale of the client’s assets by a secured creditor and arranged for the orderly sale of the company resulting in a dividend to unsecured creditors and the opportunity for continued operation of the company;
- Representing several chains of gas stations in their Chapter 11 reorganizations resulting in a reduction of secured debt and the successful emergence from bankruptcy;
- Representing a municipal taxing authority in Chapter 11, 13 and 7 proceedings;
- Representing a national jewelry store chain in its successful Chapter 11 reorganization resulting in a reduced debt structure, rejection of unprofitable leases and payment in full to unsecured creditors;
- Representing a global copier and printing company in Eastman Kodak Chapter 11 reorganization in the Southern District of New York resulting in a payment in full of priority claims;
- Representing shareholders in the successful recovery of a multi-million dollar judgment in a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy of large regional marble company;
- Representing a regional school district in AstroTurf Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding in the Northern District of Georgia;
- Representing a large creditor in the Velo Holdings and Kit Digital Chapter 11 reorganizations in the Southern District of New York resulting in a payment in full of priority claims;
- Representing a fast food franchisee with 18 locations in its Chapter 11 Reorganization;
- Representing the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of a national automobile part supply distributor resulting in increased dividend to unsecured creditors; and
- Representing a local landlord in numerous telecommunication company bankruptcies around the country.
Michael frequently volunteers his time and was recognized for his outstanding service by the Homeless Advocacy Project and also serves on the board of directors for A Call to Mercy, a not for profit corporation involved in providing financial support to enhance the welfare of poor, oppressed or marginalized people, especially women and children.
Michael also periodically co-authored the Bankruptcy Update column in The Legal Intelligencer with Charles M. Golden.
Michael was included in the 2021 to 2024 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America©.
