Michael efficiently enforces lenders’ rights against troubled borrowers.
Many clients that Michael counsels find themselves as creditors to troubled and insolvent borrowers. Although he assists clients across industries, he focuses his practice on lenders with distressed agriculture loans. Michael takes a straightforward, no-nonsense approach, seeking to maximize recoveries for these lending institutions, while minimizing their time and fees. Michael's advocacy often results in enforcing loans, crafting workouts and representing lenders in state and federal courts (including bankruptcy proceedings) on matters involving defunct borrowers.
Michael also proactively advises clients on minimizing exposure to bankruptcy avoidance actions such as preferential transfers and constructively fraudulent conveyances. His extremely efficient approach has generated significantly low settlement amounts for clients while minimizing both the time and attorney’s fees needed to get those results. His work includes the development of Pref-Defend—a proprietary program used to efficiently defend preferential transfer claims for which Michael was given a Top Legal Innovation Award. He is one of just a handful of attorneys in Missouri, Kansas and Iowa who are board certified in Business Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification.*
Clients in agribusiness and other sectors appreciate Michael's reputation as a thought leader. He has authored over 30 articles nationally and internationally and given more than 60 presentations. His recent writings and speaking engagements illuminate issues central to banks and other lending institutions wrestling with troubled loans.
*The American Board of Certification’s Business Bankruptcy certification program is accredited by the American Bar Association. Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor The Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or special designations.