Michael is a partner in the firm’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Group and Litigation Group. His primary areas of practice are commercial insolvency and reorganization, commercial litigation, construction law and administrative law. He has represented corporate and other business debtors, creditors, official committees of unsecured creditors, bankruptcy trustees and other parties in interest in bankruptcy proceedings in United States Bankruptcy Courts in numerous districts, including Massachusetts, New York and Delaware.

Michael has also prosecuted and defended claims on behalf of clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts involving matters such as fraudulent and preferential transfers, director and officer liability and insurance coverage claims, construction defects, and the enforcement of construction liens and bonds. In addition, Michael has advised and represented various parties to distressed merger and acquisition transactions, as well as asset and stock transactions. Michael also frequently represents licensed professionals and tradesmen in administrative enforcement and disciplinary proceedings before various state licensing boards and commissions. Prior to joining the firm in 2001, Michael served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Joel B. Rosenthal of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts. 

• Lead counsel to the official creditors’ committee in the Chapter 11 case of a multi-divisional electrical contractor that included the successful recovery and collection of a substantial judgment for fraudulent conveyance and improper shareholder distribution claims against one of the debtor’s former shareholders.
• Served as lead defense counsel for the former president of a commercial and industrial oven manufacturer in an action involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty, and successfully obtaining full insurance coverage and other indemnity for the client on those claims.
  
• Initiated bankruptcy court litigation on behalf of the bankruptcy trustee of a large excavation and site contractor for fraudulent conveyance and civil fraud conspiracy claims against insiders resulting in the payment to the bankruptcy estate of a substantial six-figure settlement through informal mediation.
• Represented a critical, just-in-time supplier to an American light truck manufacturer in the distressed, out-of-court going-concern disposition of its business assets, which resulted in the satisfaction of substantially all creditor claims and the continued operation of the business and the employment of its personnel.
• Initiated bankruptcy and state court litigation on behalf of a large energy industry supplier and contractor to create, perfect and enforce its state law mechanic’s lien on a hydro-electric power generation facility, resulting in full payment of its seven-figure claim.
• Initiated bankruptcy and state court litigation on behalf of a cabinet and millwork supplier to create, perfect and enforce its state law mechanic’s lien and related payment bond claims, resulting in a six-figure settlement recovery for the client.
• Documented, investigated and successfully resolved, through litigation and mediation, construction defect claims and related claims for breach of contract, negligence and unfair trade practices, with damages totaling in excess of $2 million, asserted on behalf of the owner of a residential apartment building.
• Counsel to the official creditors’ committee in the Chapter 11 case of a high-end jewelry and watch retailer.
• Counsel to the official creditors’ committee in the Chapter 11 case of a multi-state clothing retailer.