Michael A. Sabella

Experience

Bankruptcy and Restructuring

• Member of the BakerHostetler team serving as court-appointed counsel to the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA) Trustee for the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS), an unprecedented effort involving more than 1,000 lawsuits filed by the SIPA Trustee to recover assets for the benefit of defrauded BLMIS customers.
• Represented a chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee in the liquidation of a multimillion-dollar real property lease and the administration and operation of a golf course on Long Island. Handled every aspect of the case, including the sale of assets of the estate, extensive claim litigation against unsecured and alleged secured creditors, numerous court appearances before the Bankruptcy Court and appellate litigation before the district court.
• Represented a chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee in the liquidation of several parcels of real property. Handled every aspect of the case, including the sale of properties, claims litigation against alleged secured and unsecured creditors, and the contested election of the chapter 7 trustee.
• Represented a chapter 7 trustee in litigation against a former principal of debtor seeking to recover fraudulent conveyances made by principal and breach of principal’s fiduciary duty to debtor.

Employment

• Defended a landlord who owned multiple residential buildings against a class action litigation related to wage and hour violations for building managers and janitorial staff. Successfully negotiated settlement of the class action.
• Represented a doctor’s office in an audit by the New York State Department of Labor on potential wage and hour violations and overtime.

Memberships

• American Bankruptcy Institute 
  • Law Review Alumni Association: Member
• American Bar Association
  • Business Law Section
  • Business Bankruptcy Committee
  • Business Law Fellows Program (2017)
  • Business Bankruptcy Committee eNewsletter: Co-Editor-in-Chief
• New York City Bar Association
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Committee: Member
• LAMBDA Legal
  • Young Leadership Council: Member
• OutNEXT
  • OutNEXT Leadership Committee
• Turnaround Management Association
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Bar Association

Pro Bono

• Assisted in drafting an amicus brief on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign and leading child welfare associations in favor of the rights of transgender students for the U.S. Supreme Court case of Gloucester County School Board. v. G.G. 
• Works with the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) on the Name Change Project to assist transgender individuals in changing their names to reflect their gender identity.
• Works with the New York City Law Department's Public Service Program, conducting and defending depositions in tort cases ranging from individual damages actions to multiparty litigation.
• Works with Immigration Equality, helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive individuals gain asylum in the United States.
• Aided low income individuals through New Orleans Legal Assistance with the preparation of their bankruptcy petitions.
• Represented small investors through St. John's University School of Law Securities Arbitration Clinic in disputes against their broker-dealers. Filed claims with the National Association of Securities Dealers, analyzed account statements to determine the validity of causes and actions, selected arbitrators, and participated in arbitrations.
• Represented elderly individuals through the St. John's University School of Law Elder Law Clinic. Interviewed clients and witnesses, negotiated with attorneys and debt collectors, and prepared court documents and correspondence to opposing counsel and organizations.