Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP

48 Best Lawyers awards

Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Litigation - Bankruptcy

Biography

Michael is a seasoned professional with a robust background in commercial finance and real estate, boasting expertise in lending, alternative financing, bankruptcy/creditor’s rights, and distressed debt restructuring.

His proficiency in structuring, documenting, and negotiating loans and other transactions has made him a highly sought-after resource for clients across the nation. Michael has successfully overseen, from term sheet through closing, commercial transactions ranging from $2 million to over $100+ million in value.

In addition, Michael boasts a remarkable track record in handling a diverse array of litigation matters, spanning fraudulent transfers, lien disputes, non-dischargeability cases, and other intricate commercial and UCC-related claims. Renowned for his expertise, particularly in the revenue-based financing industry, he serves as a trusted advocate for esteemed stakeholders such as bankruptcy trustees, receivers, and creditors.

As a member of the CLA Business Law Section’s Executive Committee, Michael’s commitment extends beyond his legal practice. He places a significant emphasis on community service and pro bono work, actively contributing to organizations like Public Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, Ronald McDonald House, and others, highlighting his dedication to having a positive social impact.

Originally from Miami, Florida, and of Cuban descent, Michael finds his greatest pride in his family—his wife and two daughters—with and to whom he devotes all his free time.

Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP

48 Best Lawyers awards

Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP logo

Overview

  • University of Southern California, J.D., graduated 2010
  • University of Florida, B.S., Business Administration & Finance

  • California, State Bar of California
  • California, State Bar of California Business Law Section
  • California, Los Angeles County Bar Association

  • 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

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of California
  • California, State Bar of California
  • California, State Bar of California Business Law Section
  • California, Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • 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
  • University of Southern California, J.D., graduated 2010
  • University of Florida, B.S., Business Administration & Finance
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of California

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Corporate Law
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law
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)

Case History

Cases
  • Summary
  • In re Ruderman Capital Partners, LLC (special litigation counsel for the Chapter 7 Trustee in preference and fraudulent transfer litigation)
  • In re EPD Investment Co., LLC (special litigation counsel for the Chapter 7 Trustee)
  • In re Lopez (general counsel for the Chapter 7 Trustee)
  • In re Khalil (general counsel for the Chapter 7 Trustee)
  • In re Wettstein (counsel for creditor, judgment after trial in favor of client and determining debt nondischargeable)
  • Reported Decisions
  • In re EPD Inv. Co., LLC, 2016 WL 2620300, (9th Cir. 2016)
  • In re EPD Inv. Co., LLC, 523 B.R. 680, (B.A.P. 9th Cir. 2015)
  • In re Khalil, 2015 WL 2213696 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. 2015)
  • In re Khalil, 2014 WL 1725811 (Bankr. C.D. Cal. 2014)
  • In re EPD Inv. Co. LLC, 2013 WL 5352953, (C.D. Cal. 2013)
  • Unpublished Opinion
In re Wettstein, 2015 WL 1246052 (Bankr. C.D. Cal. 2015)
Transactions
  • Representative Matters/Transactions
  • Representing revenue-based funder as litigation oversight counsel in over 60 concurrent lawsuits and arbitration matters throughout the United States.
  • Represented Fortune 500 secured lender in revising and updating various loan agreements and ancillary documents.
  • Representing captive finance companies in the automobile industry with respect to the documentation and diligence of various asset-backed loans (including floorplan and inventory loans).
  • Represented secured lender in closing over $150 million in real estate loans in a 1-week period.
  • Represented lenders in multiple multi-million dollar work-out situations resulting in full recoveries.

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