Michael-Davis-bio.jpg

+ Education

USC School of Law, J.D., 2010
University of Florida, B.S., Business Administration & Finance

+ Awards

United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, "Honor Roll" (2022-Present)

Super Lawyers, "Rising Star" (2016-2024), "Up-and-Coming 100" (2018-2024)

Best Lawyers in America, "Best Lawyer," Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation - Bankruptcy (2018-Present)

Public Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, William J. Lasarow Award (2017)

+ Speaking Engagements

Moderator, "Stalking Horse Real Property Sales in Bankruptcy: To Stalk or Not To Stalk," California Lawyers Association CLE (October 2023)

Panelist, "Bankruptcy: The aftermath of Chicago v. Fulton, In re: Shoot the Moon and Other Pivotal Bankruptcy Cases that Shape Industry Practices," AFBA Conference (June 15-16, 2022)

Speaker, California Association of Realtors (February 2019)

+ Prior Affiliations

Brutzkus Gubner Rozansky Seror Weber LLP, 2011-2020

+ Civic Involvement

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, Bankruptcy Self-Help Desk, Volunteer (2015-present)

+ Bar Admissions

Admitted in California

Federal Courts:
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of California

+ Professional Affiliations

Business Law Section of the California Lawyer's Association, Executive Committee Member

Insolvency Law Committee of the California Lawyers Association’s Business Law Section, Co-Vice Chair

Hispanic National Bar Association, Member

Cuban American Bar Association, Member

Remedies Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Executive Committee Member

California Receivers Forum, Los Angeles/Orange County, Young Professionals Council, Co-Chair

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow, 2023

+ Publications

Author, Insolvency Law e-Bulletin, California State Bar Business Law Section (June 2016)

Co-Author, “Justices Consider Bankruptcy Tale of ‘Lili Lin of China,’” Los Angeles Daily Journal (February 2014)

+ Contact

mdavis@dtolaw.com
Direct: (213) 335-6762
Connect with me: LinkedIn

Michael Davis focuses on business, commercial, and insolvency law. His transactional work includes secured lending, distressed debt restructuring, lease financing, and corporate formation and governance. He also provides advice and oversight to his nationwide clients with regard to insolvency issues, as well as the negotiation and documentation of business transactions.

Michael provides a variety of services to DTO’s clients, including structuring of loan transactions, compliance with loan and security requirements, inter-creditor arrangements, security and priority issues, environmental concerns, and preparation of loans and related agreements. Michael has overseen and closed numerous commercial loan transactions ranging from $2 million to $40+ million. In addition to his role as lender’s counsel, Michael represents clients in the alternative finance industry as national insolvency oversight counsel, and where necessary, as litigation counsel. As corporate counsel, Michael has advised management and business teams on various legal and commercial financing issues. On a daily basis, Michael provides counsel with respect to the underwriting, proposed structure, and documentation of large and complex relationships including the related unsecured, asset-based, and real estate financing lines.

Michael has substantial experience in bankruptcy-related litigation, including prosecuting and defending fraudulent transfer and preference matters, lien priority disputes, non-dischargeability matters, and claims-related disputes. He has represented bankruptcy trustees, receivers, creditors, and assignees for the benefit of creditors in a variety of matters including fraud, breach of duty, professional negligence, malpractice, and breach of contract. Michael represents his clients in both federal and state courts, and where necessary, on appeal. Recently, he was part of a trial team representing a bankruptcy trustee in a Ponzi-scheme-related fraudulent transfer adversary proceeding.

Michael’s past representations include debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors’ committees, and chapter 7 and 11 trustees in both individual and corporate cases, as well as court-appointed receivers. Michael is a member of the CLA Business Law Section’s Executive Committee. 

Michael values giving back to the community and has worked on a number of pro bono matters. He has also enjoyed volunteering for charitable organizations including Public Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Bet Tzedek, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Michael is licensed to practice law in California and is originally from Miami, Florida and of Cuban descent. He is most boastful about his wife and two daughters, with whom he spends all of his free time.