Michael Gartland
N/A
Licensed for 35 years
Law Degree
Awards
Primary Practice Area
Litigation
Language
English
About
I have seen many debtor/creditor dispute situations over my 30-plus year career. It has been my passion to work with my client contacts, and I have learned about many different industries as part of that process. It is important to talk face to face with clients, to dig down to the fundamentals, and to work together to create a persuasive message to advocate for their interests. There are often many other parties involved to work with, as well as being persuasive in court when required. Over time, I have come to view this process as both an art and a science, and as a way to formulate the story that presents the best chance to meet my clients’ goals. “Everything we do falls on a spectrum of options, pros and cons, how it fits in to the big picture, negotiation, and risk analysis. I mostly see lots of gray and multiple choices of how to proceed, usually not a simple black and white answer. It is very important to me to make sure the clients get the benefit of what I see so they can make the best choices for themselves.”I started at a larger firm where I was an associate and later partner, for 17 years. I began as a young lawyer doing bank work, but my heart grew to be more passionate about working on the debtor side of the table, trying to save businesses, or wind them down in the best way possible. “The early years of my practice are invaluable to me, because I got to both write and argue so many motions in different courts across the Commonwealth, and learned to think about what the banks are looking for in a situation. I learned a lot of law in the process. As a debtor or committee lawyer, being able to understand and work with the other parties is an absolute necessity.” I believe in always trying to resolve issues consensually, while simultaneously preparing to go argue the matter in court if necessary. After 17 years, in 2003, I left to start my own firm, and it has been a true learning experience. As a small business owner myself, I have gained an unbelievable amount of insight that big-firm lawyers just don't have. Outside of the office, I enjoy working in the yard, traveling, reading, and spending quality R&R time with my husband and grown children. I'm currently working on some writing in the hopes of soon going on the road to teach and help others with all that I have learned the hard way. I'm passionate about helping our retirees and our young families figure out how to strengthen their personal finances in our current tough economic times, as well as all the looming governmental debt burdens which I foresee as a ticking bomb. Unfortunately, I have seen first hand how ugly bad debt situations can be.
Practices Areas
Bankruptcy & Debt
Litigation
Language
English