- Ryan D. Heilman
- RHeilman@schaferandweiner.com
- Michigan
- Phone: +1 248-540-3340
- Fax: + 1 248-282-2157
- PRACTICE AREAS
- Bankruptcy, Workouts
and Insolvencies - Bankruptcy and
Commercial law litigation - Appellate Matters
- ADMISSIONS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Michigan, 2002
- E.D. Mich, 2002
- W.D. Mich, 2003
- EDUCATION
- University of Toledo, B.A., magna cum laude, 1999
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2001
Ryan D. Heilman
Partner
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Mr. Heilman’s practice focuses on representing Debtors, Creditors’ Committees, lienholders and unsecured creditors in complex Chapter 11 cases and out of court workouts. Equally effective in the courtroom and at the negotiating table, Mr. Heilman specializes in finding practical resolutions to seemingly intractable problems. In addition to his Chapter 11 practice, Mr. Heilman has also developed an excellent track record in commercial, business and bankruptcy litigation, and appellate matters.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
Represented the Unsecured Creditors’ Committee of Blue Water Automotive, obtaining over a million dollars in seed money for a creditors’ trust plus additional assets including valuable causes of action to be prosecuted on behalf of unsecured creditors. Also secured an option for unsecured creditors to obtain waivers from preference actions in exchange for a waiver of the creditors’ general unsecured claims.
Represented Greektown Casino throughout its reorganization, including primary responsibility for first day motions, the final financing hearing and drafting the plan of reorganization.
Represented numerous debtors in all aspects of their Chapter 11 cases from filing through successful confirmation of plans of reorganization and post-confirmation matters.
Obtained a purchase money security interest for a large tooling manufacturer prior to the debtor’s bankruptcy filing, saving the manufacturer from a multimillion dollar loss.
Represented a defendant in a lawsuit brought in a bankruptcy case seeking turnover of machinery repossessed by the defendant, and recovery under conversion and fraudulent transfer counts. Obtained summary judgment against the debtors based on the debtor’s failure to disclose the action in its bankruptcy plan and successfully defended the result on appeal.
Successfully made a motion for judgment after presentation of plaintiff’s case in a fraudulent transfer action brought in bankruptcy court. Defended the judgment on appeal in the District Court and in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
PUBLISHED OPINIONS
Mayco Plastics, Inc. v. TRW Vehicle Safety Sys., Inc. (In re Mayco Plastics, Inc.), 389 B.R. 7 (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2008).
Dery v. Cumberland Cas. & Sur. Co. (In re 5900 Assocs.), 468 F.3d 326 (6th Cir. Mich. 2006).
Buffalo Molded Plastics, Inc. v. Omega Tool Corp. (In re Buffalo Molded Plastics, Inc.), 344 B.R. 394 (Bankr. W.D. Pa. 2006).
Dery v. Cumberland Cas. & Sur. Co. (In re 5900 Assocs., L.L.C.), 326 B.R. 402 ( E.D. Mich. 2005).
Slone v. M2M Int'l, Inc. (In re G-P Plastics, Inc.), 320 B.R. 861 ( E.D. Mich. 2005).
Guzzo v. Thompson, 393 F.3d 652 (6th Cir. Mich. 2004).
PUBLICATIONS
Co-Author, Auto Industry Changes Threaten Delicately Balanced System, The Journal of Corporate Renewal (Apr 2009).
Co-Author, Swords and Shields – Prepayment Premiums In and Out of Bankruptcy, The Michigan Business Law Journal, Fall 2003.
OTHER DISTINCTIONS
National Merit Scholar
Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, 2009 as a Rising Star