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With 18 offices, from New York to Los Angeles and Seattle to Orlando, we live and work in communities all over the U.S., collaborating across locations, disciplines and even borders. Our experienced, highly ranked lawyers serve businesses wherever they are and wherever they want to go.

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Am Law 100 firm with practices in Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Litigation and Tax.

Home | BakerHostetler

Record-Breaking $1.55M CCPA Settlement Against Health Information Website Publisher

DOJ and HHS Launch New False Claims Act Working Group to Target Healthcare Fraud

Sports

BakerHostetler Services

Raj Bandla, Cynthia Bast Present at 2025 Texas Housing Conference

Drawing upon his federal clerkship, his LL.M. in Bankruptcy degree&nbsp;and prior legal experience, Michael combines his understanding of all aspects of restructuring and bankruptcy for a thorough and proactive approach to all client situations. Michael has&nbsp;presented on, and written about, a wide range of bankruptcy issues, including involuntary bankruptcy cases, bankruptcy case updates, fraudulent conveyance and preference litigation and issues, and interpretations of sections of the Bankruptcy Code.

Michael also represents corporate officers and directors in corporate governance litigation, including defense against lawsuits brought by trustees, receivers&nbsp;and other parties. He handles all stages of discovery, motion practice, litigation, mediation and settlement negotiations in these cases.

An advocate for pro bono cases and causes, Michael devotes time to assist pro bono clients with LGBTQ+ impact litigation and representation, asylum applications, post-conviction relief&nbsp;and amicus briefs for different human rights and interest groups.

core/freeform

LL.M., Bankruptcy, St. John’s University School of Law, 2009

J.D., St. John’s University School of Law, 2007, 

B.A., Muhlenberg College, 2004, 

<ul>
<li>American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI): “40 Under Forty” (2021)</li>
<li>Chambers USA Diversity and Inclusion Awards: Future Leader &#8211; LGBT+ Equality (2019)</li>
<li>The National LGBT Bar Association: &#8220;Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40&#8221; (2019)</li>
<li>New York Metro Super Lawyers &#8220;Rising Star&#8221; (2015 to 2022)</li>
<li>National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) 2023 Beacon of Justice (team award)</li>
</ul>


New York

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Back Challenge to VA by Transgender American Veterans Association on Gender-Affirming Surgery

Michael Sabella Moderates Conversation About Equity in the Workplace

Michael Sabella Offers Update About Bankruptcy Appellate Case Law

Michael Sabella Article in ABI Journal Advocates Disability Inclusion at Law Firms

Michael Sabella Shares Insights on Improving Law Firm Culture for People with Disabilities

Michael Sabella Speaks on Trends in Consumer Bankruptcy Law

Michael Sabella Writes Article About PPP Loan Fraud for Westlaw Today

Camille Bent, Ferve Khan and Michael Sabella Pen Article on Avoiding Real Estate Fraud

Rachael Israel, Michael Sabella Lead CLE Webinar on Being an Advocate for Gender Diversity

Michael Sabella Named to American Bankruptcy Institute “40 Under Forty” Class

Michael Sabella a Speaker at ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting

Anat Maytal, Michael Sabella Join Program on Self-Disclosure of Disabilities

2017 Year-End Securities Litigation and Enforcement Highlights

Securities and Governance Litigation

Restructuring and Bankruptcy

Business

<ul>
<li>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.</li>
<li>Member of the BakerHostetler team that served as counsel to the Official Committee of Tort Claimants, representing the interests of over 70,000 victims of Northern California wildfires in the Chapter 11 reorganization of Pacific Gas and Electric Company and PG&amp;E Corporation. PG&amp;E is the largest bankruptcy case ever filed in California and the sixth-largest case ever filed in the United States.</li>
<li>Obtained dismissal of adversary proceedings brought against health care business client by bankruptcy trustee seeking avoidance and recovery of funds paid to hospital for pre-petition medical treatment and services provided to debtor’s employees.</li>
<li>Achieved withdrawal of document and deposition subpoenas issued on client in connection with pharmaceutical bankruptcy case.</li>
<li>Represented multiple former directors and officers in corporate governance litigation commenced against them by the Liquidating Trustee for the Chapter 11 bankruptcy estate of the clients’ former company. Successfully settled litigation against clients on terms favorable to them.</li>
<li>Represented a former director/officer in multijurisdictional, related corporate governance defense actions involving Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding of parent company and receivership proceeding of subsidiary company. Successfully settled litigation against client on terms favorable to client.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>Represented a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee in the liquidation of corporate debtor’s parcels of real property. Handled every aspect of the case, including the contested election of the Chapter 7 trustee, the auction sale of the properties, and  claims litigation against alleged secured and unsecured creditors.</li>
<li>Represented a Chapter 7 trustee in litigation against debtor’s former principal, seeking recovery of fraudulent conveyances and assert claims of breach of principal’s fiduciary duty to debtor, resulting in settlement favorable to the debtor’s estate.</li>
<li>Defended a landlord against a wage and hour violation class action litigation commenced by building managers and janitorial staff. Successfully negotiated settlement of the class action.</li>
</ul>


Michael A. Sabella

Michael A. Sabella

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