A. Todd Almassian

Partner

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Over the course of his career, Todd has developed extensive experience in bankruptcy-related matters. His diverse representation and understanding of all bankruptcy stakeholders provides the necessary context to manage bankruptcy litigation, broker deals, and navigate complex issues to achieve a net win for his clients. Todd also advises clients regarding out-of-court workouts and consults with creditors and debtors to best resolve their disputes. He has served as an expert witness on both sides of the aisle in various insolvency matters and bankruptcy cases and is a frequent lecturer regarding the Bankruptcy Code. 

Todd serves as a mediator in state and federal court matters. He has handled mediations involving company membership disputes, non-competition agreements, breach of contract cases, builders trust fund violations, fraud allegations, asset sale disputes, real estate transactions and many more. Todd also serves as one of the panel mediators for the Federal Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan and has served as a mediator in the Eastern District of Michigan.

Todd’s in person mediations are held at his offices at The Pike House, a beautifully restored historic property built in 1845 and expanded over the years to serve as the first Grand Rapids Art Museum. The Pike House provides a number of large conference rooms and plenty of free onsite parking.

Awards

Voted the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation in Banking and Finance in Grand Rapids | Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law | Litigation – Banking and Finance

Nims-Howard Civility Award, 2024 | Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan Bankruptcy Section.

Invited to Join The American College of Bankruptcy as a Fellow, 2021

Named Best Lawyers’ 2018, 2020 and 2022 Grand Rapids Lawyer of the Year | Litigation Banking and Finance

Named Best Lawyers‘ 2016 Grand Rapids Lawyer of the Year | Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency & Reorganization

Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights, 2011-Present

Michigan “Super Lawyer” in Creditor Debtor Rights, 2011-Present

Activities & Affiliations

Michigan Bar Association

American Bar Association

Grand Rapids Bar Association:  Member | Foundation Committee Member | Former Treasurer 2011-2013

Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan, Bankruptcy Section: Bankruptcy Steering Committee | Former Chairman

American Bankruptcy Institute: Member
Central States Bankruptcy Advisory Board Member

Qualified Mediator for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan Circuit Court

Presentations & Publications

  1. Creditor Clashes: Give ‘Em Enough Rope and Combat Rock, Hon. Steven W. Rhoades Consumer Bankruptcy Conference (November 2024)
  2. Bankruptcy Decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, American College of Bankruptcy Fellows Sixth Circuit Conference (October 2024)
  3. ‘Fees: All Work and No Pay? Not on Your Life!’ 36th Annual Bankruptcy Section Seminar, Federal Bar Association Western District of Michigan (July 2024).
  4. Getting What You Want From the Court, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan, Bankruptcy Seminar (July, 2023)
  5. Risk Analysis & Mediation: Practical Skills, American Bankruptcy Institute, Central States Bankruptcy Workshop (June, 2023)
  6. Formulating a Confirmable Chapter 11 Plan in a Not-So-Ideal World, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan, Bankruptcy Seminar (July, 2022).
  7. Property of the Estate, Constructive Trusts and Nonfiling Spouses, American Bankruptcy Institute, Central States Bankruptcy Workshop (June, 2022).
  8. Complex Chapter 11 Issues, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan, Bankruptcy Seminar (September, 2021).
  9. Chapter 11 Bankruptcy- The New Subchapter V Option, A Valuable Tool for Small Businesses, MICPA (June, 2021).
  10. Is Chapter 11 an Option for Your Nonprofit?-The Nuts and Bolts of Reorganizing, Covid-19 Response and Resources for Nonprofits (January, 2021).
  11. Is Chapter 11 an Option?-The Nuts and Bolts of Reorganizing, Small Business Association of Michigan (December, 2020).
  12. Twelve Tips For Bankruptcy Practitioners, United States Trustee’s, Bankruptcy Boot Camp (August, 2019).
  13. LLC Economic Membership Interests and Bankruptcy: Gold in Them Hills, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan, Bankruptcy Seminar (July, 2019).
  14. Hon. Steven W. Rhoades Consumer Bankruptcy Conference: Marijuana and Bankruptcy (November 2018).
  15. Property of the Estate in Chapter 7: It’s Complicated, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan, Bankruptcy Seminar (July, 2018).
  16. Commercial Real Property Leases in Bankruptcy – The Grand Rapids Lawyer (Jan /Feb 2018).
  17. Causes of Action That Arise Prior to Bankruptcy – The Grand Rapids Lawyer (Nov/Dec 2017).
  18. Should I Stay or Should I Go: The Clash Between the Bankruptcy Automatic Stay and Family Law. – The Grand Rapids Lawyer (Sept/Oct 2017).
  19. Trusts and Other Interests, ABI – 24th Annual Central States Bankruptcy Workshop (June 2017).
  20. Broken Bench – The Grand Rapids Lawyer (June 2017).
  21. Causes of Action Owned by a Debtor, Hon. Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference (November, 2016).
  22. Analyzing the Practical Aspects of Asset Protection Planning, Practical Goals and Limitations of Asset Protection, ABI – Central State Program on Asset Protection (June, 2015).
  23. Pre-bankruptcy Planning, Debtor’s Bar Of West Michigan: Annual Conference Seminar (January, 2015).

Practice Areas

Chapter 11

Mediation

Bankruptcy Litigation

Education

UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
J.D., 1996

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
B.A., James Madison College, 1993