Skip to Content

Michael H. Traison is a partner in the firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights department. He focuses his practice in the areas of restructuring and insolvency, commercial law, and international law. Michael has represented corporate clients in commercial matters for more than 40 years, and he is a widely-recognized leader in helping businesses resolve complex legal issues.

Michael represents businesses in matters ranging from litigation to insolvency, creditors’ committees in Chapter 11 reorganizations and out-of-court workouts, and other clients with interests throughout the world. In his international law practice, Michael maintains a special focus on Israel, Poland and Eastern Europe, and he has appeared before courts throughout the United States, Poland and Israel. An educator prior to being admitted to the bar, Michael is also a recognized authority on 20th Century European and Holocaust history. 

Practice Areas

Industries

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • New York
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

Education

  • J.D., Michigan State University College of Law, 1983
  • M.Ed., Wayne State University, 1970
  • Ph.B, Monteith College, 1968

Professional and Community Activities

  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute, 1990 – Present
  • Member, Turnaround Management Association
  • Board Of Governors, International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
  • Vice-President, American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists 
  • Member, YIVO Institute of Scientific Research
  • Member, The American Bar Association International Law Section
  • Member, Bar Associations of States of New York, Illinois and Michigan
  • Board of Trustees, Decalogue Society 
  • President Emeritus, American Israel Chamber of Commerce 
  • Editor of Newsletter, Canada-U.S. Business Council 
  • Board Member Emeritus, Poland America Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, The Arab American Bar Association
  • Member, The Forward Association
  • Board Member, Friends of Jewish Heritage in Poland

Honors and Awards

  • Leading Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Workout Law, 2014
  • Leading Lawyer in Commercial: Creditor’s Rights/Commercial Collections Law, 2014-2017
  • Leading Lawyer in Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law, 2006-Present
  • Illinois Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor, 2015-Present
  • Illinois Super Lawyers, Litigation-Bankruptcy 2015-Present
  • Presidential Citation, Decalogue Society of Lawyers, 2013 
  • Board of Directors, Decalogue Society of Lawyers, 2015-Present
  • Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, 2013
  • Polish-American Heritage Award, Polish-American Heritage Council, 2003
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2001-Present
  • Chicago Litigation-Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year, 2014
  • Michigan Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor, 2007-2014
  • International Humanitarian Award, Jerusalem Peace Award, 2008
  • Top Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights, DBusiness Magazine, 2011
  • Martin Sandler Award, America-Israel Chamber of Commerce Chicago, 2012
  • Teraz Polska Friend of Poland and Outstanding Polish American, 2014

News & Insights