- Brendan G. Best
- BBest@schaferandweiner.com
- Michigan
- Phone: +1 248-540-3340
- Fax: + 1 248-282-2100
- PRACTICE AREAS
- Bankruptcy Reorganization
- Commercial Law
- Commercial Litigation
- ADMISSIONS & QUALIFICATIONS
- State of Michigan trial and appellate courts, as well as the U.S. District Courts and U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Pro Hac Vice admissions in multiple jurisdictions nationwide including California, Delaware, New York, and Ohio.
- EDUCATION
- George Washington University (B.A., cum laude, 1997)
- Wayne State University Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2003; Law Review; Order of the Coif)
Brendan G. Best
Partner
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Mr. Best represents and advises debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors’ committees, and other stakeholders in bankruptcy proceedings, workouts, corporate transactions, and commercial litigation nationwide. Mr. Best uses his skill and experience in insolvency matters to give clients practical and cost effective advice and representation by identifying and focusing on those issues that will result in real benefits for the client.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
In re Greektown Holdings, LLC (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2008) (general counsel for debtor in possession): represent debtor in possession in all areas of business operations including matters related to financing, hotel and casino constructions, litigation, plan of reorganization negotiations, and all other areas of business operations.
In re Pine River Plastics, Inc. (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2007) (general counsel for debtor in possession): drafted and argued first day pleadings; lead associate attorney on all aspects of case, including debtor in possession financing and sales of assets, culminating in successful confirmation of Chapter 11 plan.
In re Rowe Companies (Bankr. N.D. Va. 2006) (counsel for major vendor): negotiated cash collateral agreement with debtor to permit sale of remaining goods in Chapter 11 asset sale; coordinated pre-petition claim and delivery litigation in three states, successfully securing over $4 million in goods.
In re Collins & Aikman, et al. (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2005): co-counsel for pre- and post-petition lenders in case with approximately $700 million in pre-petition indebtedness.
In re UniBoring (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2005) (counsel for multiple suppliers and equipment lessors): drafted and argued successful motion to dissolve temporary restraining order; drafted and argued multiple successful limited objections to proposed sale order.
In re PLC Novi West, LLC (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2004) (counsel for secured lenders): confirmed successful lender-proposed Chapter 11 plan of liquidation; drafted agreements and closed $50 million sale of property.
In re Oxford Automotive, et. al. (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2004) (special corporate counsel for debtor in possession): drafted asset purchase agreements and motions to sell three large manufacturing facilities and equipment.
Represents one of the world’s largest manufacturers of brand-name consumer products for the home improvement and new home construction markets in bankruptcy cases and workouts nationwide.
Represented major telecommunications company as defendant in $300 million adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court, deposing fact witnesses, coordinating discovery and trial preparation, resulting in dismissal at close of plaintiff’s case (currently on appeal).
Represented regional lender in multiple workouts in manufacturing, building, and other industries, with lead role in negotiating and drafting forbearance and related agreements.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
A frequent speaker on bankruptcy-related topics, Mr. Best is a member of the American Bar Association, the Turnaround Management Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Federal Bar Association, and the Oakland County Bar Association.
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
Prior to joining Schafer and Weiner in 2008, Mr. Best was an associate in the bankruptcy and corporate finance groups at Dykema Gossett PLLC from 2003 to 2008.
COURTS
Mr. Best has represented clients in bankruptcy cases nationwide, including cases in Delaware, New York, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, and California.
OTHER DISTINCTIONS
National Merit Scholar
Selected for inclusion in the Rising Stars℠ list (2011)