• Representation of health maintenance organization (PacifiCare) in Genesis Physicians Practice Association Chapter 11 proceeding.
• Representation of health maintenance organization (PacifiCare) in Medical Select Management Chapter 11 proceeding.
• Representation of landlords (Alsey Northridge Realty, et al.) in home healthcare and pharmacy Chapter 11 proceeding of Horizon Home Care, Inc., et al.
• Representation of secured lender (Community National Bank) in Heart Place Hospital Chapter 11 proceeding.
• Representation of secured lender (IberiaBank) in in doctor-owned hospital, Victory Medical Center Parent, LLC, et al. Chapter 11 proceedings.
• Representation of secured lender (CrossFirst Bank) in doctor-owned hospital, Pine Creek Medical Center, LLC. Chapter 11 proceeding.
• Representation of secured lender (JPMorgan Chase Bank) in rehabilitation center, All Saints Rehabilitation Clinic, Inc. Chapter 11 proceeding.
• Representation of asset purchasers of significant assets from largest U.S. hospice care provider (American Hospice Management, LLC) Chapter 11 proceeding.
• Representation of asset purchasers of significant assets from nursing home entity, Senior Care Centers, et al. Chapter 11 proceedings.
• Representation of durable medical equipment vendor (DME Express, LLC) as large unsecured creditor in Serenity Homecare, LLC, et al. Chapter 11 proceedings.
• Representation of durable medical equipment vendor (DME Express, LLC) as large unsecured creditor in Journey Hospice Care of Houma, Louisiana Chapter 11 proceedings.
• Representation of vendor of computer software solutions vendor (Medecision, Inc.) in hospital system, Verity Health System of California, Inc., et al. Chapter 11 proceedings.
• Representation of secured lenders in obtaining maximum recoveries in restaurant bankruptcy proceedings, including proceeding for S&A Restaurant Corp. (Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale restaurants), and for significant franchisees of Golden Corral, Arby’s and Church’s Chicken restaurants
• Representation of secured lender in maximizing recovery in Victory Medical Center hospital chapter 11 proceedings
• Representation of landlords in BI-LO, Blockbuster, Borders Group, Bruno’s Supermarkets, Circuit City Stores, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P, Borman’s Super Fresh and Sav-A-Center Supermarkets), Linens ‘n Things, Movie Gallery, Restaurant Acquisitions I, LLC (Black-Eyed Pea Restaurants), Sun & Ski Sports, Tweeter Home Entertainment, Ultimate Electronics, Winn-Dixie and World Access bankruptcy cases
• Representation of Fortune 200 health services company in minimizing exposure and successfully confirming plans of reorganization as a co-proponent in physician practice associations’ chapter 11 proceedings
• Representation of a NYSE media companies in connection with critical vendor orders, assumption/rejection of executory contracts, collection of post-petition claims, and defense of Chapter 5 bankruptcy causes of action in retail bankruptcy cases, including Ames Department Stores, Adelphia Communications, ATA Holdings, Fleming Companies, Footstar, Furniture City, Heilig-Meyers, Jumbo Sports, KB Toys, Kmart, Levitz Furniture, Loews Cineplex Entertainment, Montgomery Ward, Orthodontic Centers of America, RoomStore and Ultimate Electronics bankruptcy cases
• Representation of Fortune 500 controls manufacturer in minimizing exposure and obtaining maximum distribution in the chapter 11 proceedings of the manufacturer’s distributors
• Representation of offshore energy industry fabricator, Delcor USA, Inc., in successfully confirming chapter 11 plan.
• Representation of post-confirmation debtor Color Tile, Inc. in pursuing over 200 Chapter 5 bankruptcy causes of action

• The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2008-2026
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2008-2026
  • Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2011-2026
• Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2005-2023
• “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List, D Magazine, 2018-2025
• Texas’ Best Lawyers, 2009-2016
• Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2004-2005
• “Best Lawyers Under 40” List, D Magazine, 2002, 2004

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Co-Author, Doing Business in Texas (A Guide for Foreign Investors Doing Business in the Lone Star State), First, Second and Spanish Editions, 1999, 2003, and 2007
• “Bankruptcy Best Practices,” co-presenter, NAREC 2015 Financial Management and Operations Conference, 2015

In the News

• “What’s a Movie Theater Worth These Days? One Bankruptcy Case Offers Insight,” CoStar News (2021)
• “Regus Affiliates in Bankruptcy Need More Time to Negotiate Leases, Lawyer Says,” CoStar News (2020)
• “Judge Sides With Coworking Tenants in ‘Very Unusual’ Bankruptcy Case,” CoStar News (2020)
• “Tuesday Morning Could Sell its Leasehold Interest in Phoenix Distribution Center,” CoStar News (2020)
• “More Regus Affiliates Join US Bankruptcy Case By the Day as Coworking Use Slows,” CoStar News (2020)
• “Regus Affiliates’ Bankruptcy Case May Set Precedent for Coworking Space Landlords,” CoStar News (2020)

More Client Results

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.

Attorney News • August 21, 2025

Jackson Walker Congratulates 21 Attorneys Named Among 2025 “Best Lawyers in Dallas”

Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2025. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.

Attorney News • April 25, 2025

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

Attorney News • August 15, 2024

Jackson Walker Congratulates 23 Attorneys Named Among 2024 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List

Jackson Walker congratulates the 23 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2024. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.

Attorney News • April 19, 2024

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

Attorney News • September 19, 2023

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

Attorney News • August 17, 2023

Jackson Walker Congratulates 24 Attorneys Named Among 2023 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List

Jackson Walker congratulates the 24 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2023. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.

Attorney News • April 25, 2023

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

Attorney News • September 21, 2022

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.

Attorney News • August 18, 2022

Jackson Walker Congratulates 21 Attorneys Named Among 2022 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List

Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2022. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.

Attorney News • April 25, 2022

Jackson Walker Announces Largest Class of Newly Elected Partners to Date

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the election of 14 attorneys to the Firm’s partnership on Friday, February 11, 2022. In addition to electing 14 new partners, the Firm also congratulates Bart Cicuto, Noah Speck, and Austin Thomas on their promotion from associates to senior counsel.

Attorney News • February 11, 2022

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 57 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2021

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

Attorney News • September 22, 2021

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.

Attorney News • August 19, 2021

‘D Magazine’ Names 23 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2021

Jackson Walker congratulates the 23 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2021.

Attorney News • April 28, 2021

What’s a Movie Theater Worth These Days? One Bankruptcy Case Offers Insight | CoStar News

Jackson Walker partner Michael S. Held spoke with CoStar News about Studio Movie Grill’s bankruptcy filing and how it impacts his client, the landlord of the theater’s Fort Worth venue.

Mentions • January 25, 2021

Regus Affiliates in Bankruptcy Need More Time to Negotiate Leases, Lawyer Says | CoStar News

“There have been a lot more debtors in this case than the original motion contemplated, and the court is going to afford interested parties their due process,” said Michael Held, a partner at the Jackson Walker law firm specializing in restructuring and bankruptcy, in an interview with CoStar News. “It looks like less than 10% of their leases have been modified at this point, which also could mean this will take more time.”

Mentions • December 24, 2020

Judge Sides With Coworking Tenants in ‘Very Unusual’ Bankruptcy Case | CoStar News

One of the challenges for landlords is the opaque process of modifying the leases, which makes it hard to determine the extent the changes benefit the estate in bankruptcy, said Michael Held, a partner specializing in bankruptcy law and restructuring at law firm Jackson Walker LLP’s Dallas office, who has been following the cases but is not directly involved.

Mentions • October 23, 2020

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 54 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2020

Spanning five offices, 19 practice areas, and experience ranging from 12 to 52 years, Jackson Walker’s 2020 “Texas Super Lawyers” have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.

Attorney News • October 19, 2020

More Regus Affiliates Join US Bankruptcy Case By the Day as Coworking Use Slows | CoStar News

The subchapter V filing was causing some concern by the judge and other parties in the case, and the Regus affiliates probably decided it wasn’t worth the risk of potential litigation or other issues arising, said Michael Held, a partner specializing in bankruptcy law and restructuring at law firm Jackson Walker LLP’s Dallas office, who has been following the cases but is not directly involved.

Mentions • September 10, 2020

Regus Affiliates’ Bankruptcy Case May Set Precedent for Coworking Space Landlords | CoStar News

How the agreement is interpreted by the judge could set a legal precedent affecting hundreds of other Regus affiliates, which could affect or bind a landlord’s rights, said bankruptcy partner Michael Held.

Mentions • September 3, 2020

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 25 “Ones to Watch”

Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.

Attorney News • August 20, 2020

Tuesday Morning Could Sell Its Leasehold Interest in Phoenix Distribution Center | CoStar News

“Especially in COVID-19 times, I think most retailers are looking for more data points, such as timing and the extent to which economies are reopening, which will likely be significant factors in determining which leases to assume or reject,” said Mike Held, who, although isn’t representing a landlord, has been following the Tuesday Morning bankruptcy case.

Mentions • August 6, 2020

‘D Magazine’ Lists 20 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among Best Lawyers in Dallas 2020

Twenty Jackson Walker attorneys were recognized in the “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2020” list by D Magazine, one of the premier publications in the city of Dallas. To be recognized in the list, attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.

Attorney News • April 24, 2020

52 Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to 2019 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’ List by Thomson Reuters

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team.

Attorney News • September 4, 2019

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 109 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2020 Edition, With Eight Named “Lawyers of the Year”

Jackson Walker congratulates our 109 attorneys named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers in America 2020 list, including eight attorneys who were named “Lawyers of the Year.”

Attorney News • August 14, 2019

More Attorney News

Restructurings, insolvency situations, and bankruptcy proceedings, including:

• Secured lenders in out-of-court workouts and bankruptcy proceedings
• Individual and institutional landlords in tenant disputes, tenant bankruptcy proceedings and other tenant insolvency situations
• Debtors in out-of-court workouts and bankruptcy proceedings
• Post-confirmation debtors and plan trustees pursuing Chapter 5 bankruptcy causes of action and claims objections
• Defendants facing preference, fraudulent transfer, turnover and other Chapter 5 bankruptcy causes of action
• Non-debtor contract parties in connection with critical vendor orders, assumption/rejection of executory contracts and collection of post-petition claims
• Non-debtor co-proponents of bankruptcy plans
• Buyers of distressed assets
• Franchisors in franchisee bankruptcy proceedings