Michael W. Davis

Michael W. Davis


DTO Law LLP

Recognized since 2018

Los Angeles, California

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Litigation - Bankruptcy

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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.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 601 South Figueroa Street, Suite 2130
    Los Angeles, CA 90017
Education
  • University of Southern California, J.D., graduated 2010
  • University of Florida, B.S., Business Administration & Finance, graduated 2007
Bar Admissions
  • California, State Bar of California
  • California, State Bar of California Business Law Section
  • California, Los Angeles County Bar Association
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
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of California

DTO Law LLP
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California

6 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

2 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Awards:
  • 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)

Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Corporate Law
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law

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"ILC JUDICIAL PROFILE SERIES: UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE MAUREEN TIGHE (CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA)"


By: Michael W. Davis, Corey R. Weber, and Asa S. Hami

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Michael W.

Davis

"ILC JUDICIAL PROFILE SERIES: UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE ROBERT KWAN (CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA)"


By: Michael W. Davis, Jessica Bagdanov, and Corey R. Weber

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Michael W.

Davis

"NINTH CIRCUIT BAP HOLDS THAT CALIFORNIA’S COMMUNITY PROPERTY PRESUMPTION PREVAILS OVER THE RECORD TITLE PRESUMPTION IN BANKRUPTCY CASES"


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

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Michael W.

Davis

J"ustices Consider Bankruptcy Tale of ‘Lili Lin of China"


By Michael W. Davis and Steven Gubner

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Michael W.

Davis

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