overview
Jason W. Bank has over 25 years of experience in bankruptcy, restructuring and general corporate law.
Practice Areas
Bio
Jason is chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice Group, with a focus on commercial bankruptcy, out-of-court workouts, and creditors’ rights. Jason also acts as counsel to numerous small- and middle-market businesses and business owners. He also serves as the firm’s General Counsel.
Jason has successfully guided numerous businesses through out-of-court restructurings and Chapter 11 reorganizations. He has negotiated resolutions of complex financial issues and debtor-creditor disputes and achieved consensual restructurings while avoiding bankruptcy or litigation. When necessary, Jason has filed Chapter 11 for businesses to help preserve their assets and operations. He has helped to successfully reorganize numerous businesses in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, retail, construction, education, real estate, sports and entertainment. He also assists parties with buying and selling assets out of bankruptcy. Finally, he has represented numerous closely held business owners in distressed situations.
Jason has considerable experience representing clients in connection with the health care industry. Many organizations within the health care industry—from physician groups to hospitals to health systems— are experiencing distress due to economic challenges, regulatory changes, technological advances, and competitive pressures. He helps clients navigate these challenges.
Jason also devotes a significant amount of his practice to the representation of creditors in distressed situations and workouts, providing counsel, negotiating resolutions, and initiating litigation, when necessary, to enforce his clients’ rights. He represents creditors across a wide variety of industries, with a particular emphasis on the automotive industry, including serving as creditors’ rights counsel to a Tier One auto supplier. He has prosecuted and defended numerous preferential transfer and fraudulent conveyance actions.
Jason is a certified mediator and has helped to resolve numerous disputes arising from bankruptcy litigation. He serves as Vice Chair of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan’s Facilitative Mediation Panel.
For ten years, Jason served as an adjunct professor of law at the Michigan State University College of Law. Jason is a former President of the Detroit Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and served on the TMA’s Board of Directors for several years. He frequently lectures to professional and trade associations, and publishes on the subjects of bankruptcy, restructuring and related topics.
Jason has consistently been recognized as a “Michigan Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters and was named one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Michigan by this publication for three years. He has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and has been selected as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights and Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
Jason is an active member in his community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Saint Christine’s Christian Services, a soup kitchen and food pantry serving northwest Detroit. He has also volunteered in Scouting, youth sports leagues and served on the Southeast Michigan American Heart Association Metro Detroit Heart Walk Executive Cabinet.
Articles
- “Representing a Business in a Workout or Bankruptcy,” Michigan Bar Journal (October 2019)
- “Nuts and Bolts of Evaluating Third-Party Releases in Chapter 11 Plans,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (September 2018)
credentials
Affiliations
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Eastern District of Michigan
- Facilitative Mediation Panel, Vice-Chair
- Local Rules Advisory Committee
- Turnaround Management Association, Detroit Chapter
- President (2016-17)
- Board of Directors (2012 – 2018)
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Federal Bar Association
- Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Debtor-Creditor Rights Section
- State Bar of Michigan – Business Law Section
- Detroit Bar Foundation, Fellow
- American Heart Association, Metro Detroit Heart Walk Executive Cabinet
Bar and Court Admissions
- Michigan
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Education
- Wayne State University Law School, J.D.
- University of Michigan, A.B.
Insights & News
February 1, 2023
Post-Holiday Blues Ushers in Winter of Discontent for Some Retailers
November 17, 2022
Third-Party Releases in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
August 18, 2022
Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
August 12, 2022
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
June 30, 2022
Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act Enacted
March 16, 2022
No Foolin’: Bankruptcy Code Changes Go into Effect on April 1
January 21, 2022
Politics and Insolvency: The Saga of Delphi Retirees
January 12, 2022
The Trustee Cometh: Responding to Adversary Complaints in Bankruptcy Cases
October 19, 2021
Jason Bank Discusses Planning for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on OESA's Automotive Insiders
August 19, 2021
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® List
March 25, 2021
Mediation: Coming Soon to a Computer Near You
March 11, 2021
Preparing for Mediation in Bankruptcy
March 9, 2021
Increased Bankruptcy Debt Ceiling Set to Expire
January 26, 2021
Why Setoff and Recoupment Matters to Businesses
January 19, 2021
Amendments to Bankruptcy Code Included in New Stimulus Package
December 1, 2020
MEDC Announces $10 Million in Grants for Small Businesses
November 16, 2020
22 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness 2021 Top Lawyers
November 11, 2020
Insights on Sales of Distressed Businesses
September 18, 2020
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
August 20, 2020
Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2021 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
July 29, 2020
Chapter 11 Reorganization: What Every Business Should Know
July 14, 2020
15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Recognized as Leading Lawyers 2020
June 16, 2020
Bankruptcy News Alert – Use Your Gift Cards!
May 18, 2020
Opportunities and Obstacles for Contractors in a COVID-19 Economy
April 22, 2020
Should A Small Business Consider Filing Bankruptcy?
March 30, 2020
Bankruptcy Update - CARES Act Amends the SBRA
March 25, 2020
Kerr Russell’s Small Business Survival Guide
March 20, 2020
Governor Whitmer Extends Tax Forfeiture Redemption Period
March 17, 2020
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity: A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends
February 26, 2020
Jason Bank Receives New Bankruptcy Court Appointment
February 18, 2020
Bankruptcy Alert - The Small Business Reorganization Act
November 15, 2019
19 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness Top Lawyers for 2020
October 8, 2019
Jason Bank Article Discusses Workouts and Bankruptcy Proceedings for Business in Michigan Bar Journal
September 5, 2019
Bankruptcy Alert - New Bankruptcy Laws Aimed to Help Small Businesses, Farmers and Veterans
September 3, 2019
15 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized on the 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers List
August 15, 2019
15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Are Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America© 2020
September 20, 2018
Kerr Russell recognizes our 2018 dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees
September 11, 2018
Sneak peek of Dbusiness Magazine Top Lawyers photo shoot with Kerr Russell
September 7, 2018
15 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers
September 4, 2018
Jason Bank publishes "Nuts and Bolts of Evaluating Third-Party Releases in Chapter 11 Plans" in the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal
July 11, 2018
The Detroit Bar Association welcomes slate of 2018-19 officers, including Joanne Swanson, president-elect
May 15, 2018
Kerr Russell supports, attends Matrix Human Services Mission Fundraising Breakfast
May 13, 2018
2018 Detroit Heart Walk a great (if rainy) success - Kerr Russell colleagues contribute over $6,000
April 26, 2018
Kerr Russell, Jason Bank support Southeast Michigan American Heart Association Heart Walk ... seventh inning stretch!
April 5, 2018
Fred Herrmann honored at Michigan Lawyers Weekly's "Leaders in the Law" luncheon
April 4, 2018
Jason Bank appointed to Chapter Health Working Group by TMA Global
March 21, 2018
Toys R Us Bankruptcy and Ongoing Retail Distress
March 19, 2018
Kerr Russell kicks off American Heart Association Heart Walk involvement
February 15, 2018
Jason Bank, new member of Detroit Athletic Club
January 26, 2018
Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services
January 16, 2018
ACG/TMA co-host, Kerr Russell sponsors "Automotive Landscape: An Inside Look at a Driver of the Global Economy"
December 18, 2017
Kerr Russell team makes holiday donations to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, and Children's Hospital of Michigan
December 7, 2017
William Blasses honored as Up & Coming Lawyer at Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2017 luncheon
November 30, 2017
Merry and bright ... Kerr Russell welcomes the holiday season
November 30, 2017
Kerr Russell, Boulevard Investment lunch and learn
November 21, 2017
Detroit Bar Honors Mayor Mike Duggan at 2017 Archer Award Gala; Kerr Russell a Silver Sponsor
November 17, 2017
Matrix Human Services receives Corporate Citizen Outreach Recognition from Detroit Bar Association Foundation
November 16, 2017
Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness
November 3, 2017
Kerr Russell launches new advertising in upcoming issues of dbusiness and Crain's Detroit
November 3, 2017
Kerr Russell recognizes this year’s dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees
November 1, 2017
Kerr Russell ranked in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in 1 practice area and regionally in 17 practice areas
October 11, 2017
Jason Bank featured in Turnaround Management Association Detroit, Fall '17 Newsletter
October 10, 2017
Attorneys celebrate "30 in Their 30s" at dBusiness breakfast
September 18, 2017
Kerr Russell welcomes parents and students to Matrix Human Services Headstart Plymouth Center
September 12, 2017
16 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers
August 10, 2017
A culture of giving
March 6, 2017
U.S. Bankruptcy Court appoints Jason W. Bank to its Mediation Panel
November 7, 2016
Kerr Russell attorneys named 2017 Top Lawyers by dBusiness Magazine
November 1, 2016
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers
August 9, 2016
“Legal Update - "Second Circuit Pumps Brakes on General Motors and "Free and Clear" Asset Sales" – By Jason W. Bank, Chair of Kerr Russell’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice.
January 1, 2016
Jason W. Bank leads Treetops Resort through a successful Chapter 11 Reorganization.
August 15, 2014
Jason W. Bank authors article "The Detroit Bankruptcy: The Olympics of Restructuring"
June 11, 2014
Jason W. Bank authors, "Navigating Financial Turbulence; Preserving Air Carrier Certificates in Chapter 11"
October 12, 2013
Jason W. Bank authors "The Motor City Faces a Rocky Road in Chapter 9 Bankruptcy"
July 11, 2011
Jason Bank authors "Overview of Chapter 9 Bankruptcy"
Representative Matters
Lead counsel for successful Chapter 11 reorganizations of automotive, retail, manufacturing, aviation and health care businesses
Representation of successful out-of-court restructuring of health care business
Representation of Tier 1 automotive company in connection with distressed automotive suppliers
Representation of automotive business in successful section 363 bankruptcy sale
Representation of creditors in large retail bankruptcy cases
Lead counsel for Chapter 11 reorganization of large automotive dealership
Represented numerous distressed companies in resort and entertainment industry, including multiple golf courses
Representation of court appointed receivers
Representation of business owners in resolution of financial issues inside and outside of bankruptcy
Successfully defended numerous parties in fraudulent conveyance and preferential transfer actions brought by bankruptcy trustees
Assisted small business owner with liquidation of distressed real estate portfolio and release of personal guarantees through settlements with lenders; protected personal and business assets while avoiding bankruptcy