Michael A. Stephani
Not every case needs to be a ‘knockdown, drag out’ fight.
Contact: P /612.604.6408E /[email protected]
Administrative Contact: LeeAnn Carlson P /612.604.6610E /[email protected]
Education
University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., 2009
University of St. Thomas, B.A., Business and Philosophy, 2006
Bar Admissions
Minnesota, 2009
Wisconsin, 2020
U.S. District Court, D. Minn.
U.S. District Court, E.D. Wis.
U.S. District Court, W.D. Wis.
My Approach
From running my own painting business, I know first-hand the value and importance of hard work, resilience, and genuine, personal connections. My clients count on me as a trustworthy and relatable partner, someone who is able to lend an empathetic and understanding ear and who truly understands their goals when it comes to legal representation. For me, the practice of law is more than simply understanding the Bankruptcy Code or applying a certain regulatory framework – it’s about building relationships and understanding how the underlying legal framework applicable to a given situation can inform and shape my clients’ business decisions.
Outside of work, you can typically find me chasing after my two young children. As a family, we enjoy anything outdoors and often spend our time hiking and biking together. I also enjoy clay shooting, a Covid-learned hobby, and am a member of the Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club.
Practice Areas
Practicing Creditors’ Remedies, Bankruptcy & Work-Out
My Experience
I represent creditors, financial institutions, and commercial landlords in all types of bankruptcy and work-out matters, including chapter 7, 13, and 11 bankruptcy proceedings, commercial collections and replevin litigation, and rent litigation and contested evictions. I strive to be a problem solver for my clients and have significant experience on both the debtor and creditor sides of bankruptcy proceedings, allowing me to be a nimble and effective advisor.
Representative Matters
- Represented commercial creditors and commercial landlords in a wide variety of chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy proceedings.
- Served as debtor’s counsel in complex chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding which included confirmation of restructuring plan.
- Represented commercial clients in wide variety of business disputes, including creditor remedies, commercial collections, and commercial replevin litigation.
- Represented national financial institutions in FCRA, FDCPA, TILA, and similar matters in state and federal litigation.
- Represented commercial landlords in contested evictions and rent litigation.