Michael Klein is an associate in the Firm's Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy practice. He joined Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman LLP in 2004, which was merged into Cooley Godward Kronish LLP in 2006. He is resident in the New York office.
Mr. Klein's practice focuses on both the transactional and litigation aspects of Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganizations and liquidations. He frequently represents creditors' committees and debtors in Chapter 11 cases, as well as Chapter 7 and 11 trustees, purchasers of assets, landlords, individual creditors and secured lenders. In connection therewith, Mr. Klein regularly advises clients regarding a variety of contested matters, including, among other things, Rule 2004 investigations, postpetition financings, section 363 sales and plan confirmation issues.
Mr. Klein currently serves as counsel to creditors committees in the Chapter 11 cases of Boscov's Department Stores, Gottschalks, United Retail Group, Oriental Trading Company, Velo Holdings, Inc., Urban Brands, Inc. d/b/a Ashley Stewart and Robb & Stucky. Prior creditor committee representations include, among others, The Bombay Company, EPV Solar, Inc., Bachrach Clothing, ArchBrook Laguna, Bag ‘n Baggage, Trade Secret Beauty Shops, Lillian Vernon Corporation, Innovation Luggage, Shoe Pavilion, Footstar, Inc., Norstan Apparel Shops, Domain Home Furnishings and Troutman's Emporium.
Mr. Klein also has significant experience investigating and pursuing fraudulent conveyance and other causes of action for the benefit of bankruptcy estates, including his current representation of the Trustee of the Appleseed's Litigation Trust in his prosecution of a $310 million litigation against affiliates of Golden Gate Capital and other participants in a 2007 dividend recapitalization transaction.
Mr. Klein has devoted time to pro bono representations in the areas of bankruptcy and immigration law. In 2005 and 2006, Mr. Klein was honored by the Legal Aid Society for Outstanding Pro Bono Service for his work with the Legal Aid Society's Immigration Law Unit in representing indigent clients facing deportation proceedings.
In 2012 and 2013, Mr. Klein was named a New York Rising Star by New York Super Lawyers magazine. Mr. Klein is a member of the Turnaround Management Association, has authored numerous articles in the TMA Journal of Corporate Renewal, and now serves on the journal's Editorial Advisory Board.
