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Michael J. Lichtenstein

Michael J. Lichtenstein

T 301-230-5231
F 301-230-2891

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Michael Lichtenstein is a seasoned litigator who is recognized for his excellence in Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in Washington, DC, Maryland and DC Super Lawyers, the Washingtonian, Smart CEO and in Chambers and Partners, which notes his “quality” as both a lawyer and mediator. Michael has delivered successful outcomes for financial institutions, creditors’ committees, creditors, property owners, debtors and equity holder clients in Chapter 11 proceedings in a dozen states, including Maryland, DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Tennessee, California and New York. He has helped clients in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, defense, real estate, technology and retail chains, in matters ranging from $5 million to $400 million.   

Debtor and creditor clients in or facing Chapter 11 proceedings have found Michael’s background as a corporate board member and his business focus a tremendous asset in successfully navigating the process. Michael represents clients from a variety of industries in the purchase or sale of assets in bankruptcy proceedings. He also provides expert witness and mediator services in Chapter 11 matters.

 

“Michael is smart and clever. Best bankruptcy counsel I’ve worked with.” 

— Jan Williams, 1st Senior Executive Vice President, Eagle Bank
 
 

In addition to representing companies and financial institutions in bankruptcy and restructuring, Michael delivers successful outcomes in commercial litigation matters involving business disputes, contracts, securities, telecommunications, construction, commercial real estate and intellectual property matters. He litigates in state and federal courts across the country and has argued several times before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Third Circuit.

Michael serves as chair of the Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Group and is a member of both the firm’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Prior to joining Shulman Rogers, he was a litigation and bankruptcy partner at Swidler Berlin, L.P. in Washington, DC. He has earned an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a recognition of excellence from both his fellow attorneys and the judiciary.

Professional & Community Affiliations

  • Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, former Chair, Board of Directors; Board Member from 2013-2021
  • American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
  • Walter Chandler Inns of Court, Master
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association, Member
  • Maryland Bar Association, Member
  • Resolution Advocate for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
  • Appointed as Mediator in Chapter 11 Proceedings by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
  • Kids in Need Distributors, Volunteer
  • Successfully confirmed a plan of reorganization for PMI parking in one of the first cases under Subchapter 5 of Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.
  • Successfully represented Redox Power Systems, LLC, a solid oxide fuel cell company, in its Chapter 11 proceeding.  After four months of intense litigation and a four day contested confirmation hearing, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland confirmed Redox’s plan of reorganization in a 32-page opinion.
  • Settled state court breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty limited liability litigation that resulted in multi-million dollar payment to clients.
  • Obtained order converting Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 proceeding in case involving solar energy and cryptocurrency.
  • Won an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirming the lower court’s decision that lending institution client had a first lien priority on the borrower’s assets on account of a $3.2 million loan and allowing the bank to collect $1.2 million being held in the court registry.
  • Successfully settled a $6 million suit filed for plaintiff in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Maryland through the use of mediation that resulted in monthly payments to client.
  • Appointed by a Maryland Bankruptcy judge as a mediator in a large Chapter 11 proceeding with a trustee who sued several defendants over significant multi-million dollar disputes about lien priorities and entitlement to sales proceeds.
  • Successfully defeated motion to dismiss lawsuit in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland in suit against insurance company for coverage related to fraudulently issued $1 million letter of credit.
  • Won Board of Immigration Appeals’ affirmance of immigration judge’s grant of asylum for pro bono client from Guinea who fled the country because of religious persecution. The BIA affirmed the immigration judge and then denied DHS’ subsequent motion for reconsideration.
  • Successful representation of pro bono client from Burundi seeking asylum before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
  • Life Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2014-2023
  • Chambers and Partners, Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Maryland, 2018-2022
  • Washingtonian Lifetime Achievement Award, 2022
  • Maryland Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2015-2021, 2023
  • District of Columbia Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2014-2021
  • Top Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Attorney, Bethesda Magazine, 2019
  • Washingtonian Magazine, Top Bankruptcy Lawyers, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
  • Governor’s Volunteer Service Certificate, 2014
  • “Lender Liability 101,” Turnaround Management Association, December 12, 2022
  • “The ABC’s of a Business Bankruptcy,” D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, May 21, 2020
  • “Chapter 11, the Maryland Commercial Receivership Act and Commercial Real Estate Issues,” Advanced Real Property Institute, November 7, 2019
  • “Workouts, Turnarounds and Chapter 11 Highlights,” April 16, 2019
  • “Commercial Bankruptcy Presentation, Law School for the Public,” Montgomery Community Media TV, January 13, 2016
  • “Chapter 11 Structured Dismissals – Viable Exit Strategy or Impermissable”, October 28, 2014
  • “Commercial Lease Damages in Bankruptcy Proceedings”, Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association, February 26, 2014
  • “Exit Strategies in Chapter 11: Asset Sales and Structured Dismissals,” The Twelfth Annual Spring Break Weekend, Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association May, 2012
  • “Bankruptcy Brush Up:  What to do when a landlord files?” MICPEL, Advanced Real Property Institute, October 7, 2009 
  • Recent Case Developments in Consumer and Business Bankruptcy Cases, The Tenth Annual Spring Break Weekend, Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association
  • Chair, Loan Workout, Bankruptcy and Collateral Liquidation in the District of Columbia, Lorman Education Services

     

Publications

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

  • “Lender Liability 101,” Turnaround Management Association, December 12, 2022
  • “The ABC’s of a Business Bankruptcy,” D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, May 21, 2020
  • “Chapter 11, the Maryland Commercial Receivership Act and Commercial Real Estate Issues,” Advanced Real Property Institute, November 7, 2019
  • “Workouts, Turnarounds and Chapter 11 Highlights,” April 16, 2019
  • “Commercial Bankruptcy Presentation, Law School for the Public,” Montgomery Community Media TV, January 13, 2016
  • “Chapter 11 Structured Dismissals – Viable Exit Strategy or Impermissable”, October 28, 2014
  • “Commercial Lease Damages in Bankruptcy Proceedings”, Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association, February 26, 2014
  • “Exit Strategies in Chapter 11: Asset Sales and Structured Dismissals,” The Twelfth Annual Spring Break Weekend, Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association May, 2012
  • “Bankruptcy Brush Up:  What to do when a landlord files?” MICPEL, Advanced Real Property Institute, October 7, 2009 
  • Recent Case Developments in Consumer and Business Bankruptcy Cases, The Tenth Annual Spring Break Weekend, Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association
  • Chair, Loan Workout, Bankruptcy and Collateral Liquidation in the District of Columbia, Lorman Education Services

     

News & Events

News

Michael Lichtenstein Representing PMI in Chapter 11 Proceeding

May 8, 2020

On Thursday, May 7, 2020, Parking Management, Inc. (“PMI”) announced that it has filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and the Small Business Reorganization Act.  Michael Lichtenstein, Chair of the Shulman Rogers Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Practice, represents PMI in the Chapter 11 proceeding.

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News

Michael J. Lichtenstein Appointed Chair of the Board of Directors for Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless

July 10, 2019

New Site Imaging - lichtenstein

Michael Lichtenstein, Shulman Rogers’ Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group Chair, was recently named Chair of the Board of Directors for Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH). Michael has served as a volunteer and member of the MCCH Board of Directors since 2013 and was deeply honored by this appointment.  Reflecting on his…

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News

A Powerful Win

March 14, 2019

Michael Lichtenstein, Chair of Shulman Rogers’ Bankruptcy/Restructuring group, represented Redox Power Systems, LLC, a solid oxide fuel cell company, in […]

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Practice Areas

Education

  • American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 1988, Law Review
  • University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D. in Criminology, 1982
  • University of Pennsylvania, M.A. in Criminology, 1980
  • Brandeis University, B.A., 1979
    • Member of the Brandeis University Athletic Hall of Fame
    • Four-year starter on varsity soccer team, Division III National Champions 
  • Israel Defense Force, Former Tank Officer

Bar & Court Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit

What Clients Say

“… decades of experience with what you will be facing … I would not do a distressed asset deal in the Mid-Atlantic region without consulting with Michael Lichtenstein.”

Best Lawyers Award Badge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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