Mike Yellin is a seasoned commercial litigator with an expansive complex commercial litigation practice. 

Experience

With a client base that includes private equity firms, hedge funds, real estate opportunity funds, property owners, and developers, Mike has built a reputation for his exceptional ability to manage high-pressure litigation. His expertise spans various complex legal challenges, including:

• High-Stakes Commercial Real Estate Litigation: Mike regularly represents clients in critical real estate disputes, such as prosecuting and defending commercial and UCC foreclosures nationwide, addressing complex title issues, and resolving disputes that impact large-scale projects and investments. His primary focus is to minimize risk and protect clients’ financial interests, even in the most contentious matters.
• “Bet-the-Company” Litigation: Mike is frequently sought after to provide counsel in high-stakes business litigation, where clients face existential threats, including shareholder disputes and contract breaches that jeopardize a company’s future. He is known for his ability to help clients mitigate immediate risks and secure the best possible outcome in these pivotal situations.
• Distressed Loan Workouts: With extensive experience in distressed loan situations, Mike represents both lenders and borrowers in navigating complex workouts and restructurings. His approach prioritizes maximizing returns for clients while minimizing exposure and risk.

A trusted advisor and fierce advocate, Mike’s focus is on guiding his clients through their most challenging situations inside and outside of the courtroom.

Mike has spent his entire career with the firm and currently serves as a Deputy Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Department. Over the years, Mike has cultivated deep expertise, which allows him to provide clients with strategic, hands-on counsel in high-pressure legal matters that require swift, decisive action and a steady hand.

Representative Matters

Examples of Mike’s recent successes include:

• Successfully prosecuted a motion for summary judgment, securing an equitable mortgage over a large residential development in Gloucester County, NJ. This ruling allowed our lender-client to extend the scope of collateral encumbered by its mortgage, a result originally intended by the parties but obstructed by the borrower through a joint venture with a third party. In 2024, the Appellate Division upheld Mike’s victory on appeal. See Romspen Mortgage Limited Partnership v. Aura Development Group, LLC, et. al., 2024 WL 220744 (App. Div. Jan. 22, 2024).
• Proposed, prosecuted and successfully confirmed a secured lender’s plan over’s the debtor’s vigorous objections in connection with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed by a commercial real estate borrower in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The plan resulted in the Firm’s client taking back the commercial property securing its loan in connection with the plan with the ability to subsequently transfer title to a third-party purchaser of the property in connection with and in furtherance of the plan.
• In February 2024, Mike was retained as special litigation counsel by the Borough of Englewood Cliffs in a high-stakes dispute with 800 Sylvan Avenue, LLC, an affiliate of Garden Communities. The case involved multi-year litigation regarding Englewood Cliffs’ affordable housing obligations. Despite the plaintiff’s $66 million damage claim and a prior unfavorable decision that pre-dated Mike’s involvement, Mike and his team developed innovative strategies that led to a settlement for a fraction of the original demand.
• Served as lead counsel in defending a lawsuit filed in Orlando, Florida, related to the redevelopment of the Artegon Orlando Center, a large mall complex. As part of the redevelopment, our client (the property owner) terminated several leases. In response, a popular restaurant located at the mall sued our client for millions of dollars in lost revenue, claiming that the termination of these leases constituted a breach of the landlord’s obligations. The multi-year litigation culminated in a two-day trial and a 100% defense verdict, affirming the actions taken by our client.
• Served as lead trial counsel in a highly contested 8-day arbitration before Chief Justice James R. Zazzali (Ret.), defending the majority owners, directors, and managers of a closely held New Jersey corporation against claims of minority shareholder oppression, breach of fiduciary duty, and other serious allegations. In December 2023, the tribunal ruled in favor of Mike’s clients on all major issues.
• After two years of litigation and several days of trial before the Honorable James J. DeLuca, J.S.C., Mike secured the dismissal of 12 fraud-based claims brought by a large subcontractor against a general contractor.

An avid Mets fan since childhood, Mike learned the importance of resilience at an early age. Mike also values supporting the community around him. For example, Mike recently served two terms on the Muhlenberg College Alumni Board, including multiple years as an officer.   Mike also previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, as well as a member of the District VC Ethics Committee.

Honors & Awards

Mike has been recognized by Best Lawyers on the “Ones to Watch” list, by New Jersey Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” and by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of its “New Leaders of the Bar.”

Mike earned his B.A., cum laude, from Muhlenberg College and his J.D., cum laude, from Seton Hall Law School. During law school, Mike interned for the Hon. Jose L. Linares, U.S. District Judge, and the Hon. Patty Shwartz, then-U.S. Magistrate Judge (now a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit).

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See Award Methodology.