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Band 2
Provided by Marc Swanson
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Bankruptcy Litigation and Appeals
Creditor and Creditors’ Committee
Debtor Representation
Distressed Automotive Supplier
Distressed Transactions and Bankruptcy Sales
International and Cross-Border Insolvency
Loan Enforcement and Restructuring
Distressed Municipalities and Debt Restructuring
Marc Swanson leads the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Group at Miller Canfield, which from 2022–2025 has received the highest possible ranking (Band 1) by Chambers and Partners. Marc is also recognized as a leading individual practitioner by Chambers, with clients calling him "a fabulous lawyer" and "a pleasure to work with." In 2024, Marc was elected as one of the Managing Directors of Miller Canfield.
Marc specializes in representing debtors, lenders, creditors, equity holders and unsecured creditors' committees in bankruptcy cases and litigation in Michigan and throughout the country. Marc has extensive experience in the health care, municipal, energy, automotive, banking and building supply industries.
In 2021, Crain's Detroit Business selected Marc as one of its "40 Under 40" who have achieved business success at an early age. In 2019, the American Bankruptcy Institute also selected Marc for its prestigious 40 Under 40 program, which identifies top industry professionals under the age of 40 and recognizes them for their leadership and professional accomplishments. Marc has been consistently recognized by Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization) and by Michigan Super Lawyers as a rising star in business bankruptcy. Marc is also co-chair of the Debtor/Creditor Rights section of the State Bar of Michigan and Past President of the Turnaround Management Association (Detroit Chapter).
In his role as counsel to the City of Detroit in its bankruptcy case, Marc argued and won two bankruptcy appeals at the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals for the City. One of these appeals sought to unravel the City's entire bankruptcy plan and Grand Bargain, and the other appeal challenged the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's ability to collect past due bills and set its rates. Marc also successfully represented the City at the U.S. Supreme Court in the appeal of its bankruptcy plan.
Marc frequently speaks at restructuring conferences and seminars and publishes articles on insolvency-related topics. Marc has co-authored three chapters for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education on buying and selling businesses in Michigan and representing creditors and debtors in bankruptcy cases. He has also co-authored guides for Practical Law on Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 Sales in Michigan, Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors in Michigan and Receiverships in Michigan.
Marc is a graduate of Leadership Detroit and serves as the President of the board of Cass Community Social Services, a non-profit based in Detroit.
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, Debtor-Creditor Rights Committee, Co-Chair 2019-present, Co-Vice Chair 2016-2019
American Bankruptcy Institute
Michigan Oil and Gas Association
Turnaround Management Association (Detroit Chapter), President 2021-2022; Programming Committee 2015-present (Co-Chair, 2019-2020); Board of Directors 2019-2022
"Representing Small Business Debtors in Bankruptcy" (co-authored with Thomas R. Morris) and "Representing Creditors in Chapter 11 Business Cases" (co-authored with Matthew L. Boyd), Handling Consumer and Small Business Bankruptcies in Michigan, Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE)
"Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 Sales: Michigan," Co-Authored with Megan Baxter-Labut and Steve Roach, Thomson Reuters Practical Law Journal, Spring 2022
"Receiverships: Michigan," Co-Authored with Scott Lesser and Steve Roach, Thomson Reuters Practical Law Journal, Spring 2022
"Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors: Michigan," Co-Authored with Megan Baxter-Labut and Steve Roach, Thomson Reuters Practical Law Journal, Spring 2022
"'Venue' Make a Change, Be Sure to Get It Right," Co-Authored with Ronald A. Spinner, ABI Journal, January 2021
"A Hard Choice Ahead for Sears Ch. 11 Creditors," Co-Authored with Ronald A. Spinner, Law360, Oct. 24, 2019
"Buying and Selling a Business in Michigan," Second Edition, Chapter 12: Buying the Assets of Financially Distressed Businesses, Co-Authored with Jonathan S. Green and Donald J. Hutchinson, Nov. 1, 2018
"How a Bank Can Avoid Paying the Bankruptcy Trustee When Its Customer Commits Fraud," Michigan Business Law Journal, Spring 2018
"Detroit Residents with Terminated Water Service Out of Luck," Bloomberg BNA, Nov. 16, 2016
"Challenge to Detroit Pension Cuts Thwarted by Sixth Circuit," Bloomberg BNA, Oct. 7, 2016
"Were Those Rents Assigned? Absolutely!" Co-authored with Ronald A. Spinner, ABI Journal, July 2016
"Stern v. Marshall Raises New Sword on Court's Authority," Focus on Bankruptcy, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Aug. 20, 2012
"WARN Act and Bankruptcy," Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Sept. 13, 2011
"Landmark Standards May Not Be for Everyone," Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Aug. 16, 2010
"Chrysler Bankruptcy Showed Section 363 a Worthy Solution," Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Aug. 24, 2009
Leadership Detroit, Class XXXIX Graduate
University of Michigan Alumni Association
University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit
Cass Community Services Board of Directors
Provided by Chambers
Provided by Chambers
Marc Swanson's bankruptcy expertise is unmatched. He's very comfortable in this space.
Marc Swanson is clear-cut, efficient and knowledgeable, and has great presence in a room. He commands respect because of his many years of experience.
Marc Swanson's bankruptcy expertise is unmatched. He's very comfortable in this space.
Marc Swanson is clear-cut, efficient and knowledgeable, and has great presence in a room. He commands respect because of his many years of experience.