Michael Z. Brownstein is counsel in the Firm’s Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Practice. For approximately 50 years, Michael has counseled clients in all facets of Chapter 11 cases, including insolvency, workouts, bankruptcy, and reorganization. An accomplished bankruptcy professional, Michael handles high-profile representations as debtor’s counsel, committee counsel, committee chairperson or member, lender/lessor counsel, equity committee, shareholder counsel, and bank counsel.

Michael is a frequent lecturer and author on bankruptcy law topics. He moderated the New York State Bar Association program “Practical Skills – Basics of Bankruptcy Practice” and spoke at the Lorman Institute on LLCs and bankruptcy.  He also recently handled three bankruptcy appeals in the 2^nd Circuit successfully.

Representative Matters:

• Represented Waterscape Resort as counsel to the secured lender in a real estate development’s Chapter 11 and liquidation proceedings.
• Represented Centaur, LLC, et al. as counsel to the creditors’ committee in a racing/gaming Chapter 11 case.
• Represented Fred Leighton Holdings, Inc., et al. as counsel to the creditors’ committee in a high-end jewelry Chapter 11 case.
• Represented UniMarts, LLC as counsel to the creditors’ committee in a gas station/convenience store chain Chapter 11 case.
• Represented Alset Owners, LLC, et al. (Checkers) as counsel to the debtor in fast-food chain Chapter 11 case.
• Represented Chiyoda America Inc. as counsel to the debtor in manufacturing Chapter 11 case.
• Represented NPC Acquisition as counsel to the secured lender in a large paper manufacturing case.
• Represented Chrysler as counsel to New Chrysler in case critical litigation with Daimler, which settled.
• Represented MediCor Ltd. as counsel to creditors’ committee for holding company for medical device entity in its Chapter 11.
• Represented Global Industrial Technologies as counsel to a large insurance company in an asbestos and silicose plan of reorganization.
• Represented Refco Capital Markets as counsel to customers and creditors in Chapter 11 case of financial services company.
• Represented Bidermann Industries U.S.A., Inc. (Arrow Shirts) as co-counsel to debtor in clothing manufacturer’s Chapter 11 case.
• Represented Trans World Airlines as counsel to creditors’ committee in multibillion dollar international airline Chapter 11 case.
• Represented Pittsburgh Canfield Corp. (Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp.) as counsel to creditors’ committee of steel manufacturer of the only successful steel reorganization.
• Represented Weirton Steel as counsel to creditors’ committee of steel reorganization.
• Represented Horsehead Industries as counsel to creditors’ committee of zinc processor in its Chapter 11 cases.
• Represented a KB Toys major creditor on creditors’ committee of toy manufacturer.
• Represented a Kmart major creditor and preference defendant in mega retail chain Chapter 11 case.
• Represented Reliance Insurance Company as counsel to state liquidator of insurance company in holding-company Chapter 11 and state liquidation proceedings.
• Represented Hotel Syracuse in the representation of secured lender and seller.
• Represented Brooklyn Hospital Center and Caledonian Health Center Inc. in the representation of debtor-in-possession lender in hospital system Chapter 11.
• Represented the Chapter 11 Trustee in a successful appeal in Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle Word of Faith Ministries, Inc. in the 2^nd Circuit [Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle Word of Faith Ministries, Inc., et al.].
• Represented the Trustee in Pursuit Holdings (NY), LLC in the bankruptcy case and the successful appeal to the 2^nd Circuit [Pursuit Holdings (NY), LLC].