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Michael S. Mc Elwee

Of Counsel
Michael S. Mc Elwee

Practice Areas

Clerkships

United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Michigan, Honorable David E. Nims

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 1983

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
B.A., 1979

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States Court of Federal Claims

United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States Supreme Court

Commercial and Bankruptcy Attorney

Mike has a multistate practice focused primarily on debt restructuring and complex commercial litigation. He serves many businesses, but specializes in automotive and agriculture. He also regularly represents health care facilities and other health care clients. Mike served as a law clerk to the late Hon. David E. Nims, a United States bankruptcy judge in the Western District of Michigan. Prior to joining Varnum, Mike was an FBI agent working primarily in foreign counterintelligence.

Experience

Debt Restructuring and Insolvency Cases

Multiple dairy receiverships in several states.

Creditors Committee for Cheboygan Memorial Hospital.

Automotive

Many Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to OEMs, with an emphasis in supply chain intervention and management.

Litigation

Many avoidable transfer cases.

The prevailing party in a bankruptcy related appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals (In re Hechinger Investment Company of Delaware, Inc.) Hechinger v Universal Forest Products, Inc., 489 F.3d 568 (3rd Cir. 2010)

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2010

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Mediation, 2023

Leading Lawyers: Bankruptcy & Workout Law – Commercial; Creditor’s Rights/Commercial Collections Law

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

National Association of Diocesan Lawyers

State Bar of Michigan

Turnaround Management Association, Grand Rapids chapter, director

Community Involvement

San Juan Diego Academy, Board member

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