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Michael P. O'Neil
- E moneil@taftlaw.com
- T (317) 713-3561
- T (602) 387-4081
- F (317) 713-3699
Summary
With a focus on areas such as mergers and acquisitions, debt refinancing and restructuring, and business workouts and turnarounds, Michael helps business owners, lenders and other stakeholders when companies are in transition. He represents both healthy and distressed companies in connection with sales, refinancings and liquidations, as well as in chapter 11 section 363 asset sales and “true reorganization” bankruptcy cases where judicial remedies are needed. Michael is known to many as a trusted advisor during difficult times. He serves as the chair of the Distressed Company Task Force that was created to assist borrower clients in every way, including in discussions with their lenders and in addressing concerns over suppliers and stakeholders. Please reach out to him with any questions on how he can provide counsel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, Michael represents secured and unsecured creditors and other stakeholders in distressed businesses with such actions as foreclosure proceedings, preference and other bankruptcy-related litigation, collections and workout advice, and consensual refinancing or restructuring. He has also represented creditor committees (or individual committee members in larger cases) in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, as well as chapter 7 trustees and receivers.
Michael handles matters in a diverse range of industries, including technology, machinery dealers, hotel/hospitality, service providers, manufacturers, real estate developers and agriculture, among others.
An active member of the law community, Michael is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth, the Indiana Association for Corporate Renewal, the Turnaround Management Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the American Agriculture Law Association and several other similar organizations, as well as state and local bar associations. He is licensed in Indiana, Illinois and Arizona (inactive) and in numerous federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the community at large, Michael has held many leadership positions, including serving on the board of directors of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee. He also assists non-profit entities in formation and governance matters and has helped churches and pastors that needed to part company in an appropriate way.
Michael received his undergraduate degree from Marquette University and earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.
Awards
Honoree, Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy (2017, 2021)
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America® (2007 – present)
Honoree, Indiana Super Lawyers (2005 - 2019)
Task Force
All Service Areas
Education
- University of Michigan Law School (1986)
- Marquette University, B.S. (1983)
Admissions
- Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
- Federal - 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Federal - Northern District of Illinois
- Federal - Southern District of Illinois
- Federal - Central District of Illinois
- Federal - Northern District of Indiana
- Federal - Southern District of Indiana
- State - Indiana
- State - Illinois
- State - Arizona (inactive status)
Speeches and Publications
COVID-19 Task Force Release for Commercial Landlords, March 18, 2020
News
Two Hundred and Thirty-One Taft Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers® 2021 News
Fourteen Taft Attorneys Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® 2021 Law Bulletins
An Intro to Bankruptcy for the C-Suite Law Bulletins
Maximizing the Likelihood of Payment
Past Events
Professional Affiliations
- American Bankruptcy Institute
Member
- American Agricultural Law Association
Member
- Association for Corporate Growth
Member
- Indiana Association for Corporate Renewal
Member
- Turnaround Management Association
Member
Community Involvement
- Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Board Member
Member, Executive Committee
Member, Governance Committee
Former Member, Audit Committee - Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee
Past Board Member
- Brown County Community Foundation
Pro Bono Counsel
- Hamblen Township Fire Protection District Board
Trustee
- Brown County Public Defender
Board Trustee