Dan is a highly experienced attorney working primarily in the bankruptcy, workout, restructuring and finance-related world, where for more than 40 years he has represented lenders, borrowers, companies, and individuals in almost every kind of debtor-creditor related matter they might encounter. Along the way he’s handled all manner of bankruptcy cases, documented and restructured loans and other transactions, helped clients buy and sell companies, litigated insolvency related matters, and mediated disputes. His work for clients routinely demands special attention to tight timelines, and he excels at being responsive to problems, meeting deadlines, and turning matters around for clients when they need it and on their schedules. Dan is good at quickly getting down to the core of things in insolvency matters, and is known in the community for being rational, sensible, pragmatic and effective in his dealings with others.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Iowa
B.A., 1981University of Iowa College of Law
J.D., 1983- With Distinction
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Grand Rapids Magazine
- "Top Lawyers," Banking & Financial Services Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law, 2019-2020
- "Top Layers," Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights Law, 2023
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law, Banking Law, 2011-2024
- Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, 2024
- Litigation - Banking and Finance, 2024
- Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2024
- "Lawyer of the Year," Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2016, 2018, 2024
- Michigan Super Lawyers®
- Bankruptcy, Creditor Rights & Banking, 2007-2023
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rating
Representative Clients
- Fifth Third Bank
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
- Mercantile Bank
- Chemical Bank
- PNC Bank, N.A.
Prominent Assignments
Counsel to numerous prominent national and regional banks, private equity lenders, and individual lenders in hundreds of loan restructurings, banking, and bankruptcy related matters throughout Michigan, and across the country, including matters arising in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Counsel to numerous unsecured creditors, bankruptcy trustees and debtors in all nature of bankruptcy, restructuring, and workout proceedings, including corporate and individual reorganization and liquidation proceedings.
Lead bankruptcy counsel for the Debtors in successful Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings of Gainey Corporation, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Counsel to numerous small business/corporate clients in day to day insolvency, bankruptcy and restructuring matters, with respect to both creditor claims, and debtor related advice.
Counsel to various corporate clients, in numerous commercial litigation matters involving preference claims, fraudulent conveyances, successor liability and other related debtor/creditor issues.
Counsel to regional home goods supplier in restructuring of $25MM secured credit facility and related real estate loans.
Counsel to national scope private equity fund in numerous bankruptcy related sale and acquisition matters; extensive experience in “363 sales” and Article 9 sales transactions.
Counsel to national insurance company in real estate related loan workout transaction involving distressed shopping center properties.
Counsel to national consumer based lender in litigation matters across the country regarding automatic stay and discharge litigation, and in connection with related class action litigation.
Counsel to largest creditor in individual Chapter 11 proceedings of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson; authored competing plan resulting in case resolution with material distribution to unsecured creditors, including more than $12.0MM to client.
Counsel to institutional lenders and regulatory agencies in insurance company insolvency matters, including formulation and prosecution of insurance regulator approved restructuring plan.
Counsel to various regional health care providers in restructuring and related merger and acquisition transactions.
Counsel to national telecommunications provider in insolvency proceedings of customers in numerous jurisdictions, including Delaware, Illinois, Michigan and Texas.
Counsel to various borrowers in connection with the review and completion of substantive consolidation opinions in lending transactions.
Former member of panel of private bankruptcy trustees for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; experienced in receivership proceedings, corporate shutdown and liquidation related issues.
Counsel to numerous unsecured creditors, bankruptcy trustees and debtors in all nature of bankruptcy, restructuring, and workout proceedings, including corporate and individual reorganization and liquidation proceedings.
Lead bankruptcy counsel for the Debtors in successful Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings of Gainey Corporation, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Counsel to numerous small business/corporate clients in day to day insolvency, bankruptcy and restructuring matters, with respect to both creditor claims, and debtor related advice.
Counsel to various corporate clients, in numerous commercial litigation matters involving preference claims, fraudulent conveyances, successor liability and other related debtor/creditor issues.
Counsel to regional home goods supplier in restructuring of $25MM secured credit facility and related real estate loans.
Counsel to national scope private equity fund in numerous bankruptcy related sale and acquisition matters; extensive experience in “363 sales” and Article 9 sales transactions.
Counsel to national insurance company in real estate related loan workout transaction involving distressed shopping center properties.
Counsel to national consumer based lender in litigation matters across the country regarding automatic stay and discharge litigation, and in connection with related class action litigation.
Counsel to largest creditor in individual Chapter 11 proceedings of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson; authored competing plan resulting in case resolution with material distribution to unsecured creditors, including more than $12.0MM to client.
Counsel to institutional lenders and regulatory agencies in insurance company insolvency matters, including formulation and prosecution of insurance regulator approved restructuring plan.
Counsel to various regional health care providers in restructuring and related merger and acquisition transactions.
Counsel to national telecommunications provider in insolvency proceedings of customers in numerous jurisdictions, including Delaware, Illinois, Michigan and Texas.
Counsel to various borrowers in connection with the review and completion of substantive consolidation opinions in lending transactions.
Former member of panel of private bankruptcy trustees for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; experienced in receivership proceedings, corporate shutdown and liquidation related issues.
Professional Involvement
- Chair, Business Subcommittee of the Local Rules Committee, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan, 2011
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- State Bar of Michigan
- Federal Bar Association, Western District, MI; Nashville, TN
- Admitted to Practice in Michigan (1983)
Publications/Presentations
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Presenter: American Bankruptcy Institute/Federal Bar Association Webinar, “Automotive Insolvency Issues in the COVID Age,” June, 2020.
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Co-Author, "Managing Uncertainty Through Financial Crisis Requires Proactive Guidance," Dickinson Wright Client Alert, March 2020
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Lecturer, Western District of Michigan Federal Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, “Pre-Petition Workouts,” 2018
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Lecturer, Western District of Michigan Federal Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, "Bankruptcy Court Jurisdiction Basics (Subject to Stern v. Marshall)," 2012
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Lecturer, Western District of Michigan Federal Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar, “Secured Claims and Section 1111(b)”, 2009
- Lecturer/Presenter, “Security Agreements, Perfecting Security Interests, and Understanding Priorities”, ICLE Business Boot Camp I, Basic Training for Every Business Lawyer, 2009
- 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