Foley & Lardner LLP: Michael J. Small

For businesses and financial entities across Illinois facing the intricate challenges of corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, or complex financial litigation, the need for exceptionally skilled and experienced legal counsel is paramount. These situations demand not only a profound understanding of insolvency laws but also strategic foresight and a proven ability to navigate high-stakes negotiations and courtroom battles. In the bustling legal landscape of Chicago, Michael J. Small, a distinguished partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, stands as a highly respected authority, offering unparalleled expertise in bankruptcy, restructuring, and related litigation to clients throughout Illinois and nationally.

Michael J. Small's practice is deeply rooted in the complexities of corporate distress and financial reorganization. He understands that for financial institutions, businesses, and creditors alike, these situations require clear, practical solutions that aim to preserve value and minimize disruption. His approach is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail, a strategic mindset, and a relentless commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients, whether through negotiated workouts or aggressive litigation.

As a key member of Foley & Lardner LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, Michael J. Small benefits from and contributes to a robust platform of resources and collective expertise. Together, they offer a formidable legal force for any entity in Illinois seeking strategic guidance on complex financial challenges. If you're involved in a corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, or related financial dispute, understanding the depth of experience and dedication that Michael J. Small brings to the table is crucial for protecting your interests and navigating toward a favorable resolution.

Michael J. Small practices from Foley & Lardner LLP’s prominent office in Chicago, a location that provides excellent accessibility for clients throughout Illinois. The office is conveniently situated at:

321 N Clark St Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

This prestigious address in Chicago's vibrant River North neighborhood offers ease of access via multiple public transportation options, including various CTA train and bus lines, making it straightforward for individuals and business representatives traveling from different parts of the city and surrounding Illinois suburbs. For those driving, the location is well-connected to major expressways, with numerous parking garages in the vicinity. While Michael J. Small's practice has a national reach, his strong presence in Chicago reinforces Foley & Lardner LLP's commitment to serving the Illinois business community with high-level financial legal expertise. This centralized location facilitates effective communication and in-person meetings for clients who prefer to visit their office.

As a restructuring attorney and litigator, Michael J. Small focuses his practice on comprehensive legal services within the corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, and finance sectors. His key areas of representation include:

• Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy: Representing a diverse range of clients, including financial institutions, asset purchasers, creditors' committees, secured and unsecured creditors, and debtors in reorganization cases, liquidations, and workouts. He guides clients through the complexities of Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 proceedings.

• Finance: Providing counsel on various finance-related matters, particularly those intertwined with distressed assets and business reorganizations. This includes advising on asset acquisition and disposition within bankruptcy contexts.

• Litigation: Engaging in a wide variety of federal and state court litigation related to corporate restructuring and bankruptcy. This includes adversarial proceedings within bankruptcy cases and broader commercial disputes.

• Creditor Committee Representation: Advising official creditors' committees in significant bankruptcy cases, ensuring their rights and interests are protected throughout the reorganization process.

• Distressed Asset Acquisitions: Representing parties interested in acquiring assets from distressed companies or through bankruptcy sales, providing strategic guidance on the legal and practical aspects of such transactions.

• Workouts: Negotiating and structuring out-of-court workouts and debt restructurings, offering alternatives to formal bankruptcy proceedings when appropriate.

Michael J. Small's reputation as a leading attorney in bankruptcy and restructuring is reinforced by several key features and accolades:

• Extensive Experience: With over 30 years of legal experience (admitted to practice in Illinois since 1991), Michael J. Small has a deep and proven track record in complex bankruptcy and restructuring matters. He has been a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP since 2000 and previously led the firm's Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice Group.

• Highly Recognized by Peers: He is consistently recognized in prestigious legal publications.

  The Best Lawyers in America©

  has listed him in the fields of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2011-2024) and Litigation – Bankruptcy (2011-2024). He is also recognized by

  Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business

  in the practice area of Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2014-2018, 2021-2024), where he is praised as "a great source of talent and experience," "very practical and effective," and "very smart and practical." He was also recognized by

  The Legal 500

  for his work in finance – corporate restructuring (including bankruptcy) (2013).

• "Super Lawyers" Recognition: Michael J. Small has been consistently selected to Super Lawyers for an impressive period, from 2007 to 2025, an honor received by only a small percentage of top attorneys.

• Broad Court Admissions: He is admitted to practice in Illinois, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First, Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Eastern District of Missouri, and the United States Supreme Court. He has also appeared in federal and state courts in numerous other states. This wide array of admissions demonstrates his capability to handle cases across various jurisdictions.

• Academic and Thought Leadership: Michael is an adjunct professor of Chapter 11 and trial advocacy at Northwestern University's Pritzker Law School and Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a frequent lecturer and panelist at conferences and has co-authored significant publications on bankruptcy law, showcasing his expertise and contribution to the field.

• Experience in Major Cases: His representative experience includes involvement in highly complex and notable cases such as In re AmeriMark Interactive, LLC (asset purchaser), In re Meridian Restaurants Unlimited (creditors committee), In re FTX Trading Ltd., In re Diamond Sports Group (contract counterparties), and the acquisition of the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Texas Rangers.

For entities in Illinois and beyond that are navigating complex corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, or high-stakes financial litigation, Michael J. Small provides a valuable initial consultation to discuss specific legal challenges. While specific "promotions" in the consumer sense are not explicitly mentioned for a practice of this nature, potential clients can expect a thorough and insightful initial discussion to assess their situation and outline potential legal strategies. This ensures that even before formal engagement, clients gain a clear understanding of the path forward and how Michael J. Small's specialized expertise can be leveraged for their benefit. Prospective clients are encouraged to contact his office directly to arrange such a consultation.

If your business or financial institution in Illinois is facing complex corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, or related litigation challenges, you can contact Michael J. Small at Foley & Lardner LLP using the following details:

Address: 321 N Clark St Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Phone: (312) 832-5832

Mobile Phone: +1 312-832-5832

For businesses, financial institutions, and creditors across Illinois grappling with the complexities of corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, and related litigation, Michael J. Small at Foley & Lardner LLP is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal resource. His decades of specialized experience in these critical areas, coupled with his consistent recognition in prestigious legal rankings like

The Best Lawyers in America©

and

Chambers USA

, underscore his profound expertise and practical effectiveness. His strategic location in downtown Chicago provides convenient access, while his extensive trial experience in federal and state courts across numerous jurisdictions, including the Northern District of Illinois, ensures that local clients have access to a formidable litigator ready to protect their interests.

Michael J. Small’s role as an adjunct professor and his contributions to legal publications further demonstrate his deep knowledge and commitment to the field, offering Illinois clients the benefit of a leading mind in bankruptcy and restructuring law. For any entity in Illinois navigating financial distress or complex corporate transitions, Michael J. Small provides the sophisticated legal guidance, strategic foresight, and proven advocacy essential for achieving favorable outcomes and securing their financial future right here in the heart of our state.