Michael D. Cooper, Esq.

Prominent bankruptcy attorney, Michael D. Cooper, Esq., provides mediation services that are strengthened by his decades of experience as an attorney handling complex bankruptcy and commercial law matters, including the representation of debtors, creditors and trustees in insolvency, workouts and bankruptcy cases.

As a recognized expert in the field, Mr. Cooper served on the State Bar Consulting Group that established certification procedures for bankruptcy specialists in California. He has been active in committees charged with consulting and drafting several sets of guidelines for rules and procedures related to bankruptcy law for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California. In recognition of his contributions to the law, he has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights/Insolvency, and Reorganization Law and Bankruptcy Litigation.

Since 1995, Mr. Cooper has drawn upon his substantive knowledge and expertise to successfully mediate and resolve bankruptcy and commercial law disputes involving a myriad of contract, commercial and other business matters. He was appointed by the United States Bankruptcy Court as a Resolution Advocate for its Bankruptcy Dispute Resolution Program, and he has successfully mediated more than 125 matters through this program. He is known for his flexible approach to mediation, marked by extensive preparation and follow up, effective listening, and a strong focus on the needs of the parties. His expertise in evaluating the technical and complex legal issues involved in bankruptcy disputes is instrumental in overcoming the stumbling blocks to settlement and has led to the successful resolution of numerous business and commercial law disputes.

• Bankruptcy and Commercial Law

Specialization in Chapter 11 reorganization, Chapter 7 liquidation, representing debtors, creditors and trustees. Representative cases involve all aspects of Commercial Law and Real Estate Law.

• Representation of State Court Receivers and other Fiduciaries

• Wendel Rosen LLP

Mr. Cooper served for 30 years as a partner in the firm’s insolvency and restructuring practice group. He represented debtors, trustees, and creditors in insolvency, workouts and bankruptcy matters. He has also represented receivers and other fiduciaries is state court litigation.

• Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in two practice areas:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency, 2008-2019
  • Reorganization Law and Bankruptcy Litigation, 2008-2019
• Selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyers magazine, 2004-2020
• AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum:

• Board of Directors, 1994 to 2000
• Member since inception

Bar Association of San Francisco

• Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section
• AIDS Legal Referral Panel, Pro Bono Representation

Alameda County Bar Association

• Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section, Executive Committee Member and Former Chair
• Voluntary Legal Services Bureau of Alameda County (pro bono representation of indigent clients in bankruptcy matters)
• Lawyers in the Library Program (counsel indigent clients in consumer matters)

Bankruptcy Dispute Resolution Program

• Resolution Advocate since 1995

State Bar of California

• Personal and Small Business Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission, Chair 1995 to 1996, Vice Chair 1994-1995
• Bankruptcy Law Consulting Group, Member, 1989-1992

Court Appointed Special Committees

• Committee of Lawyer Representatives of the Northern District of California to the Ninth Circuit, Member 2000-2003
• Lawyer Representatives of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, Former Committee Member and Chair
• Drafting committee member for General Order No. 12 – Adoption of Dispute Resolution Procedures for Bankruptcy Cases and Adversary Proceedings, United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California, 1993-1994
• Rules subcommittee member to revise bankruptcy rules for the Northern District of California, 1991-1992
• Bankruptcy Committee to Establish Guidelines for the U.S. Trustee in Bankruptcy Cases for Northern California and Nevada, 1988-1990
• Bankruptcy Court Automation Committee for the Northern District of California, Former Member

California Receivership Forum

• Member of Bay Area Chapter

• Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum Panelist
• PESI Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Symposium, Panelist, 1993
• Pacific Bankruptcy Law Institute, Faculty Member, 1991
• CPA Associations, Lecturer
• Bay Area Legal Secretaries’ Forum, Lecturer
• Other civic and professional organizations

• “Asset Protection Planning – An Overview,” Fall 2006

• University of San Francisco, J.D.
• San Francisco State University, B.A.

• State Bar of California
• United States District Court; Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central Districts of California
• United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• United States Supreme Court