Overview
MICHAEL IS AN ATTORNEY IN THE FIRM'S FINANCE AND RESTRUCTURING PRACTICE GROUP.
His practice focuses on corporate restructurings, bankruptcy litigation, creditors’ rights, and distressed acquisitions. Michael’s clients include troubled companies, secured and unsecured creditors, purchasers of distressed assets, and other constituents in connection with in-court and out-of-court restructurings. Michael also advises clients with respect to financing transactions, as well as commercial disputes and related litigation.
Education & Admissions
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (J.D.), cum laude
Arizona State University (B.S.), cum laude
Admissions
- Arizona
- New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Languages
- English
Clerkships
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of New York, Honorable Nancy Hershey Lord, 2014-2015
Experience
Representative Work
Debtor/Company-Side Experience
- Akumin Inc. and its affiliates in their prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases that restructured $1.45 billion of funded debt.
- Airspan Networks Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates in their prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases that restructured over $200 million of funded debt.
- Water Gremlin Company and its affiliates in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases that resolved over $50 million of mass tort liability claims.
- Redwood Empire Lodging in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case that restructured over $30 million of funded debt.
- Diocese of Saint Cloud in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case that resolved mass tort liability.
Creditor/Lender/Other Experience
- First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company as secured creditor in Chapter 11 bankruptcy case Crestwood Hospitality, LLC and related litigation pertaining to hotel located in Arizona.
- Western Alliance Bank as secured creditor in Arizona receivership of Daystar Products International, Inc., a supplier of aftermarket auto parts.
- U.S. Bank N.A. and Elavon Financial Services as secured creditor and credit card processor in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of various airlines, including SAS AB and Silver Airways, LLC.
- Rewards Network as secured creditor in several Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of various restaurant groups.
- Private lender as secured creditor in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of Avalon Pima, LLC and its affiliate, and related litigation pertaining to real estate development projects in Arizona.
- Private lender as secured creditor in Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Diamond Elite Park, LLC pertaining to office building located in Arizona.
- Private lender as secured creditor in Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Jema Group Holdings, LLC and related litigation pertaining to real property located in Arizona.
- Represented the receiver in Arizona receivership of Breycliffe, LLC pertaining to disposition of 300 acres of real property located in Arizona.
News & Resources
News & Press Mentions
April 17, 2025
August 15, 2024
April 9, 2024
November 10, 2023
July 28, 2022
February 16, 2022
Legal Writings
- "The Intersection of Bankruptcy Preferences and Mechanic's Lien Waivers—A Wrong Turn Can Be Costly," ABA Forum on Construction Under Construction – Newsletter (October 1, 2019)
- "Cook Inlet Decision Rightly Protects Deemed Consolidation," Law360 (February 6, 2018)
- "European Pre-Insolvency Proceedings: A Primer for Investors in Distressed Funds," The Hedge Fund Journal (July 27, 2017)
- "Avoiding Errors When Dismissing a Bankruptcy Appeal," Law360 (March 2, 2017)
- "Ship Arrests and Creditors' Rights in Maritime Bankruptcies," The Deal Pipeline (January 9, 2017)
- "Viewpoint: Jevic Ruling Could Limit Chapter 11 Exit Strategies," WSJ Pro Bankruptcy (August 11, 2016)
- "Blocking a Bankruptcy Filing Still a Remote Possibility," Law360 (May 6, 2016)
- "Director and Officer Releases: Decision Underlines Importance of Detailed Language to Avoid Liability," Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review (May 3, 2016)
Select Presentations
- Municipal Insolvency & Chapter 9 Bankruptcy, Turnaround Management Association - Arizona Chapter (January 27, 2021)
- Strategies for Accelerating Tribal Growth: Mergers & Acquisitions Best Practices, REDW, LLC Webinar (August 26, 2019)
- The Intersection of Bankruptcy Preference and Mechanic's Lien Waivers: A Wrong Turn Can Be Costly, American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law (August 1, 2019)
- Ethics at the Office, State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention (June 1, 2019)
Industries & Practices
Banking & Financial Institutions
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceBankruptcy & Financial Restructuring
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Banking & Financial Institutions
- Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring
- Lending Transactions
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Private Equity
