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Michael A. Jones, Bankruptcy Attorney
PARTNER-MEMBER | CERTIFIED BANKRUPTCY SPECIALIST
Michael Jones is a partner attorney with Allen, Jones & Giles, PLC and a certified bankruptcy specialist both at the state and national levels. Recognized by his peers, Michael has been rated AV® Preeminent and has been listed in Super Lawyers® since 2014. Additionally, he was honored as The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" in Bankruptcy Litigation for Phoenix.
Michael regularly serves as counsel for creditors, court-appointed receivers and trustees, creditors' committees, franchisors, landlords, public entities, and both business and individual debtors. His expertise spans loan workouts and all chapters of bankruptcy proceedings, having handled over 425 bankruptcy cases and bankruptcy litigation proceedings.
Practice Areas
Creditors' Rights
Receivership Matters
Business and Personal Bankruptcy Chapters 7 and 11 (including Subchapter V)
Bankruptcy Litigation and Appeals
Debt Negotiation, Workouts, and Settlement
Certifications
Certified Specialist, Business Bankruptcy Law, American Board of Certification, 2016
Certified Specialist, Bankruptcy Law, Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, 2016
Honors & Awards
One of only six bankruptcy attorneys chosen by the Arizona federal judges to serve a three year term as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference
The Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year" (Phoenix), Bankruptcy Litigation, 2023
The Best Lawyers in America®: Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Bankruptcy Litigation, 2020-present
Super Lawyers (Bankruptcy Law), 2020-present (Rising Stars, 2014-19)
AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated™, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2016-present
Phoenix Magazine “Top Lawyer” (Bankruptcy Law), 2022-present
Representative Experience
Representation has included successful Chapter 11 reorganizations of numerous individuals and businesses, including obtaining Court approval of a Chapter 11 Subchapter V plan within only two months from the bankruptcy case being filed.
Counsel for the City of Los Angeles as a creditor in contested Chapter 11 proceedings and associated bankruptcy litigation.
Represent the Court appointed receiver for Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, PLC, one of the largest law firms in Arizona.
Conducted a multi-day trial in Bankruptcy Court resulting in client’s $1 million+ claim deemed non-dischargeable, and client was awarded all attorneys’ fees.
Prevailed in two trials representing a receiver before the Superior Court and completed a sale of a hotel property, resulting in a significant distribution to owners and an attorneys' fee award in favor of the receiver.
Prevailed in defending against an appeal of a favorable ruling in a contested bankruptcy matter: Jones v. Mullen (In re Jones), 2014 Bankr. LEXIS 488 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. Feb. 5, 2014)
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Arizona Bankruptcy Section, Executive Counsel, present
Bankruptcy Mortgage Modification Mediation Rules Committee, Co-Chair 2022
Arizona Bankruptcy American Inn of Court 2011-23: Barrister
State Bar of Arizona: Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission, 2016-19
Maricopa County Bar Association: Bankruptcy Section Chair, 2016; Board, 2014-17
American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
Community Legal Services’ Volunteer Lawyers Program
Presentations & Publications
"Understanding Bankruptcy: Issue Spotting and Choosing a Chapter," Volunteer Lawyers Program, January 2024
"Subchapter V Bankruptcies," State Bar of Arizona, August 2023
"Hot Topics in Chapter 11 Subchapter V," District of Arizona Annual Conference, May 2023
"What Financial Advisors Need to Know About Bankruptcy Sales," Sonoran Capital Advisors, March 2021
"What Labor and Employment Attorneys Need to Know About Bankruptcy," Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., December 2020
"Bankruptcy Trustee Hot Button Issues," Arizona Consumer Bankruptcy Counsel, May, 2020
"Bankruptcy: Protecting Your Clients and Your Firm," Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University alumni group, March 2020
"Consumer Cases in the Headlines," American Bankruptcy Institute Southwest Bankruptcy Conference, September 2019
"Automatically Perfected Liens and Their Danger to Post-Bankruptcy Lenders," American Bankruptcy Institute Secured Credit Committee Newsletter, October 2017
"Code Section 523 Nondischargeability and Trial Issues," Maricopa County Bar Association, May 2016
"Recent Developments in Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Law," Maricopa County Bar Association, February 2015
"An Overview of Fraudulent Transfers and Preference Actions," Bankruptcy Ambush Series, May 2014
"Ethics for the Bankruptcy Practitioner," State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention, June 2013
Clerkships/Externships
Judicial Extern, Hon. James A. Teilborg, U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2008
Education
J.D., Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, 2009: Business Editor, Arizona State Law Journal, 2008-09
B.A., Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, 2006
Our firm is a debt relief agency. Among other legal services, we help individuals and businesses file for bankruptcy relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
The act of visiting or communicating with Allen, Jones & Giles, PLC, via this website or by email does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Communications from non-clients via this website are not subject to client confidentiality or attorney-client privilege. Further, the articles, discussion, commentary, forms and sample documentation contained in this website are offered as general guidance only and is not to be relied upon as specific legal advice. For legal advice on a specific matter, please consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in that area. The attorneys featured in this website practice law only in the jurisdictions where they are admitted. This website is regulated by the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct.
Allen, Jones & Giles, PLC, is ranked by U.S. News/Best Law Firms as among the best law firms in (a) Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights and (b) Insolvency and Reorganization Law (National Tier 3 and Metropolitan Tier 2 in both categories).