Bernstein, Douglas C.

Current Employment Position(s)

Partner, since 2003

Lawyer Overview

The managing partner of Plunkett Cooney's Banking, Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Practice Group, Douglas C. Bernstein focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, commercial loan restructuring and workouts, commercial loan documentation, creditors' rights, bankruptcy, banking-related litigation and appeals.

Prior to joining Plunkett Cooney, Mr. Bernstein was employed by Michigan National Corporation as an attorney for over 20 years. He subsequently joined the Standard Federal Bank Legal Department when the bank merged with Michigan National Corporation in 2001.

Mr. Bernstein, who currently serves as a member of the firm's Board of Directors, has a number of published appellate decisions to his credit. He is a member of several professional organizations and presents seminars to clients and industry organizations on commercial loan restructure, bankruptcy and litigation issues.

Mr. Bernstein regularly appears as a guest on finance and general news radio and television programs to discuss banking law and bankruptcy issues, and he is frequently quoted by media covering the business, banking and financial industries.

He is also active in the following community organizations:
Hearing panelist, Attorney Discipline Board; Case evaluation panelist, Oakland County district and circuit courts; American Power Boat Association, General Counsel; Detroit River Regatta Association, Board Member (2005 - Present); Hydro-Prop Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Series (General Counsel, 2002-2004); H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Series (General Counsel, 2010 - Present); and Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (Board Member, April 2008 - July 2009).

Areas of Practice

• Banking, Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Law
• Commercial Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Michigan, 1982
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1982
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1982
• U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 2004

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Oakland County Bar Association (Past Chair, In-House Counsel Committee)
• State Bar of Michigan (Member)
• Turnaround Management Association (Member)
• American Bankruptcy Institute (Member)

Honors and Awards

• American Jurisprudence Award - Labor Law 1, 1980 - Present
• Award for Excellence - Chambers USA - Banking & Finance: Michigan, 2010
• Top Lawyers - Dbusiness magazine, 2009
• Michigan Super Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights; Michigan Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, 2008 - 2011

Classes and Seminars

• Michigan State University and Turnaround Management Association's (Michigan Chapter) "Best Practices in Local Government Fiscal Management" Conference, anelist, Bankruptcy - Chapter 9, Lansing, Mich., April 19, 2011 - Present
• Information Management Network’s third annual “Bank and Special Asset Forum on Distressed Real Estate” Conference, Presenter, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, February 17, 2011 - Present

Past Employment Positions

• Michigan National Corporation, Attorney
• Hydro-Prop Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Series, General Counsel, 2002 - 2004
• Standard Federal Bank Legal Department
• American Power Boat Association, Former Counsel

Education

• Detroit College of Law, Detroit, Michigan, 1982
  J.D.
  Honors: Honor Roll - Spring 1979; Fall 1980
• Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 1978
  B.A.

Published Works

• Lenders Get Creative to Restructure Residential Real Estate Loans, Financier Worldwide - July 2008 Issue, June 12, 2008

Address

38505 Woodward Avenue
Suite 2000
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

Phones

(248) 901-4091

Faxes

(248) 901-4040

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.plunkettcooney.com