J. Michael “Mike” Sutherland
Main image for J. Michael “Mike” Sutherland

J. Michael “Mike” Sutherland

Anyone can figure out a way to tear down a company, but I find it highly rewarding to first explore if there’s a way to fix a broken company’s problems and build it back up. Bankruptcy negotiations can sometimes get heated, but I work on constantly lowering the temperature in a case rather than heating things up. In addition, I’m often told that I have a better than average ability to see around corners, and then certainly helps me in these repair efforts.

With four decades of experience as a bankruptcy attorney, Michael Sutherland guides companies in insolvency issues, business ownership disputes, directors and officers, litigation, insolvency and reorganization, the occasional receivership action, and professional liability matters. Michael’s clients include primarily Texas- and New York-based large corporate lenders, debtors, healthcare companies, airlines, and retail giants, as well as not-for-profit organizations and municipalities.

Michael defends officers and directors in cases of alleged negligence and fellow bankruptcy attorneys in cases of alleged malpractice, as well as a range of other business clients. Lawyers often bring him in on cases that have proven to be particularly difficult and complicated because they appreciate his keen legal and business insights, his calm way of operating, and his ability to bring order to chaos. Michael also excels at seeing the end game earlier than most. Anticipating where a case is going gives him an advantage in crafting strategy.

A congenial personality has earned Michael the descriptor of “a breath of fresh air” on more than one occasion. In all matters, he prefers to reject “scorched-earth” tactics in favor of collaborative approaches that bring parties together to discuss the situation with rationality — a method he views as the most productive and cost-effective way to remedy problems and get back to business. However, if negotiations don’t yield the optimal result and a battle is warranted, Michael and his team persistently pursue their desired outcome and vigorously advocate for the clients’ interests in and out of the courtroom.

Michael’s outstanding performance over the years have brought him loyal clients and recognition on the list of Texas Super Lawyers in Bankruptcy and Workout from 2004–2021, as published in Texas Monthly, together with Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers in Dallas.

Cookie-cutter solutions from one matter won’t necessarily work next year or even in the next matter. There’s a right way and sometimes a wrong way to do it. Whenever possible, I prefer to crack the safe rather than just jumping to the step of blowing it up. But to do this, you have to listen for the tumblers falling into place. I’ve been around long enough to know the value of listening.

J. Michael Sutherland

Areas of Focus

Education

Education

  • University of Texas at Austin (J.D., 1981)
  • Abilene Christian University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1976)
    • Member: Alpha Chi

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • Texas, 1981
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District, Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District, Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District, Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District, Texas

Leadership

  • State Bar of Texas, Member
  • Tarrant County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section, Past President
  • John C. Ford American Inn of Court, Board Member

Recognition

  • Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Lawdragon 500, Leading Litigators in America, Bankruptcy Litigation, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2016–2024, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
  • D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas, 2015–2019, Bankruptcy and Workout.
  • Chambers USA‘s America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2004.
  • Texas Super Lawyers, in Bankruptcy and Workout, from 2004–2023, as published in Texas Monthly.

J.-Michael-Sutherland-SL2021 Sutherland-SL2020 Sutherland-15Best-Lawyers-LogoAV-Preeminent-2020D_Best_2019

Speeches/Publications

  • Malpractice Issues in Bankruptcy Cases; Bankruptcy Issues in Malpractice Cases, 26th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference, November 2007.
  • Co-author and former editor: Bankruptcy Strategies for Lenders, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1993 (originally entitled Practical Bankruptcy for Creditors, Professional Education Systems, Inc., 1985).
  • Contributing author, Advanced Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Practice (Thomas J. Salerno, editor), (Wiley Law Publications, 1987).

Outside of Work

Michael enjoys gardening and grows a variety of herbs and other edible plants, as well as flowers. He also likes to draw and does a bit of creative writing when he gets the chance.