Cole Schotz Bankruptcy Co-Head Michael Sirota Named ‘Trailblazer’ by The American Lawyer

We are pleased to announce that Michael D. Sirota, co-managing shareholder of the firm and co-chair of its national Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Department, has been named a 2021 Northeast Trailblazer by The American Lawyer.

Mr. Sirota was recognized for being the first attorney to have ever paused a bankruptcy case in legal history. During his representation of Modell’s Sporting Goods in its Chapter 11 proceedings, Mr. Sirota used the rarely used Section 305(a) of the Bankruptcy Code to temporarily suspend the company’s bankruptcy hearings during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Sirota’s groundbreaking work for Modell’s garnered significant attention and created a roadmap for other Chapter 11 debtors to follow.

“When the pandemic hit, we had to think quickly and creatively to support our clients, and I’m gratified to have developed a strategy that helped numerous other companies during an extraordinarily challenging time,” Mr. Sirota said. “Despite the unprecedented circumstances of this past year, the Cole Schotz team has remained dedicated to finding the best solutions for our clients.”

The Modell’s representation is just one example of Mr. Sirota and the Cole Schotz team’s ability to craft innovative strategies. Cole Schotz has had a hand in other recent high-profile bankruptcy matters for numerous industries, advising on filings involving Pier 1, Neiman Marcus, True Religion, LVI Holdco, Sur La Table, and J.C. Penney.

In the firm’s representation of Sur La Table, the company’s former CEO Jason Goldberger noted, “Sur La Table consummated a going concern sale in record time, exited bankruptcy with new owners and is now on solid financial footing due to the expertise, intelligence, and hard work of Michael Sirota and the Cole Schotz team.”

Mr. Sirota has continued to sculpt a reputation as a leader within his field and has been recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers and New Jersey Law Journal’s 2020 New Jersey Trailblazer.

The Northeast Trailblazers list was included as part of the May 2021 issue of The American Lawyer. The distinction is given to attorneys who have made significant marks on the practice, policy and technological advancement of their practice areas. The profile of Mr. Sirota may be viewed on Page 9 of the digital edition here.