Case Manager: Calah Estabrook
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.
Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum:
Bar Association of San Francisco
Alameda County Bar Association
Bankruptcy Dispute Resolution Program
State Bar of California
Court Appointed Special Committees
California Receivership Forum
“Michael takes a better approach in my view, which is he figures out what the two sides really need, and he figures out a way where they can get reconciled by more of a win-win situation. He gets into the details that matter to either side and as a result really understands what matters most to them. Then he tries to figure out away to reconcile those two different stances.”
“Mike finds a way to structure an agreement out of the settlement that gets the win-win accomplished in away where each side is getting what they want most at the table. But then they can also walk away from the table with confidence that the deal will stick, and the other side won’t be looking for loopholes and other ways to get out of the deal later.”
“Michael definitely knows the law and the lingo for real estate and commercial litigation, and he has respect in that community. If you’re looking for somebody who is a businessman and a lawyer who understands parties and people and can communicate and can put things together, he’s just great.”
“Michael has a very matter-of-fact style that’s not threatening. It’s blunt, but it’s not threatening and I think that’s a virtue… And while he certainly listens to all of the mediation catharsis that has to occur, he really is able to move past that pretty quickly to the basic issue and on toward resolution.”
“Michael has a terrific personality and disposition, and he just gets along with everybody, which is probably one of the best attributes you can have as a mediator. Look, if the guy can speak to PGE, he can speak to anybody because they’re impossible. I had no luck. I can promise you that.”
“Michael finds a way to structure an agreement out of the settlement that gets the win-win accomplished in away where each side is getting what they want most at the table. But then they can also walk away from the table with confidence that the deal will stick, and the other side won’t be looking for loopholes and other ways to get out of the deal later.”
