Areas of Practice Emphasis

Representative Clients

  • JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
  • LaSalle Bank Midwest, N.A.
  • Fifth Third Bank (Chicago)
  • CIT Group Business Credit
  • Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co.

Prominent Assignments

  • Primary counsel to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in western Michigan loan restructurings, banking and bankruptcy related matters
  • Counsel to numerous secured lenders, unsecured lenders, bankruptcy trustees and debtors in all nature of bankruptcy, restructuring, and workout proceedings, including corporate and individual reorganization and liquidation proceedings
  • Counsel to various corporate clients, in commercial litigation matters involving fraudulent conveyances, successor liability and other related debtor/creditor affairs
  • Former member of panel of private bankruptcy trustees for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; expert in corporate shutdown and liquidation related issues

Education

  • J.D. (with distinction), University of Iowa College of Law, 1983
  • B.A., University of Iowa, 1981

Admitted to Practice

  • Michigan, 1983
  • Illinois, 1993
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member, State Bar of Michigan

Publications and Presentations

  • Lecturer, American Bankruptcy Institute Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, "Forbearance Agreements, Negotiation and Enforcement," 2005
  • Contributing Author, "Strategies for Secured Creditors in Workouts and Foreclosures," ALI-ABA, 2004
  • Lecturer, American Bankruptcy Institute Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, "Multiple/Special Committees Under Section 1102 of the Bankruptcy Code," 2002
  • American Bankruptcy Institute Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, "Advanced Chapter 11 Issues," 2000
  • Lecturer, Federal Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, "The Absolute Priority Rule and New Value," 2000
  • Lecturer, National Business Institute, "Introduction to Bankruptcy Code and Rules," 2000

Acknowledgements

  • Martindale Hubbell "AV" peer reviewed
  • Named Michigan Super Lawyer, 2007
    - Bankruptcy, Creditor Rights & Banking

Attorney Recognitions