Michael J. Roeschenthaler

Michael J. Roeschenthaler

PARTNER
PITTSBURGH
T: 412.618.5601
M: 412.726.4909
F: 412.618.5596

Mr. Roeschenthaler is a business solutions lawyer, with a focus on financial restructuring, corporate turnarounds, distressed asset transactions, bankruptcy and insolvency law. He has a wide range of experience in the representation of the various stakeholders in financially distressed situations, including, but not limited to, corporate debtors, asset acquirers, equity holders, ad hoc and court-appointed committees, and individual creditors. His practice spans the United States.

Due to the nature of his practice, Mr. Roeschenthaler is called upon to problem solve within numerous industry sectors. He has significant experience within the following industries: mining (coal, natural gas and copper), manufacturing, metals, health care, education, hospitality, food and beverage, retail, commercial real estate, automotive and construction, and the breadth of his knowledge reaches well beyond these markets.

Recognitions

  • Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds, Band 2 (2017–Present)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Pittsburgh Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2020–Present), Litigation-Bankruptcy (2024)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers®, Bankruptcy (2013–Present); Bankruptcy "Rising Stars” (2008, 2010–2011)
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Member, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section Council, Allegheny County Bar Association
  • Member, American College of Healthcare Executives
  • Member, Turnaround Management Association
  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member, West Virginia Land & Mineral Owners Association
  • Best Lawyers Designation
  • Chambers and Partners Designation

Mr. Roeschenthaler’s experience includes representation of: 

  • A creditors’ committee in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case of a steel manufacturing company.
  • A regional hospital system in an out-of-court restructuring/sale.
  • A retirement committee of an international vertically integrated steel and mining company.
  • A public research university in student housing finance and related matters.
  • Privately-held steel services corporation.
  • Physician medical practices in out-of-court workouts.
  • Aerospace and robotics company in acquisition of rocket and space technology assets.
  • Specialty metals company as debtor’s counsel in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
  • A creditors’ committee in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case of an aluminum fabricator and extrusion servicer.
  • Multiple creditors’ committees appointed in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of franchise restaurant chains.
  • Servicers to a nuclear power plant in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
  • General contractor/project manager in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case involving construction and development of NFL practice and multi-purpose facility.
  • Oil & gas drilling services company in an out-of-court workout.
  • Multinational automobile manufacturer.
  • International companies in business acquisitions. 
  • Hotels in both chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and out-of-court workouts.
  • A brewing and distribution company in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
  • International companies in cross-border insolvencies.
  • Healthcare C-suite professionals in contract matters.
  • A rural hospital system in an out-of-court restructuring.
  • A creditors' committee appointed in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case involving a thermal processing company/servicer to the energy industry.
  • A metals processor as debtor’s counsel in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
  • Numerous landowners in large coal producer bankruptcy cases. 
  • Trustee of one of the largest hospital restructurings in Western Pennsylvania history.
  • Out-of-court workouts involving hospitals in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
  • A real estate developer in out-of-court workout of ski and golf community consisting of more than 750 residences. 
  • A creditors' committee (and subsequently liquidating trustee) appointed in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of family-style restaurant chain. 
  • A metals casting foundry in an out-of-court workout involving the sale of substantially all assets.
  • Fortune 500 company involved with industrial supply and distribution in creditors' rights matters.
  • One of the world’s largest integrated aluminum companies in creditor’s rights matters.
  • Fortune 100 company in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of an automotive parts supplier and other matters. 
  • Seafood restaurant and wholesaler in an out-of-court workout. 
  • Private equity funds in various debt finance transactions. 
  • Creditors' committees appointed in copper mining bankruptcy cases. 
  • An asset acquirer in bankruptcy sale process involving a copper company. 
  • Creditors' committees appointed in numerous coal mining bankruptcy cases. 
  • An asset acquirer in bankruptcy sale process involving supermarket chain. 
  • Franchisee motorcycle dealer as debtor’s counsel in Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. 
  • A creditors' committee appointed in the bankruptcy cases of a multi-national manufacturer of aluminum extrusions. 
  • Multi-national company in acquisition of intellectual property assets from bankruptcy estate. 
  • The holder of an overriding royalty interest in mining bankruptcy cases. 
  • An information technology company in an out-of-court workout. 
  • Senior management in employment contract negotiations with employer. 
  • A restaurant in strike-ending labor negotiations. 
  • Senior management in negotiations relating to severance benefits. 
  • Landowners in coal mining bankruptcy cases. 
  • Equity holders in large real estate development bankruptcy cases. 
  • A specialty metals processor in general business matters. 
  • Various coal companies in general business matters as well as restructuring, transactional and environmental matters. 
  • Independent medical practice group restructuring involving issues under Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute.
  • Physician practice group representations.
  • A medical device company in contract litigation. 
  • A Fortune 500 gas company in the bankruptcy of a metals company. 
  • A building supplies company in an out-of-court workout. 
  • Contract parties in an oil and gas transaction.
  • Equity holder in shareholder dispute of gauge and tool company. 
  • Medical practice in workout involving obligations under the False Claims Act. 
  • Liquidating trustee formed in connection with Chapter 11 plan of supplier of automotive cast components. 
  • A creditors' committee appointed in the bankruptcy case of an industrial recycler. 
  • A toy retailer as debtor’s counsel in Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. 
  • A real estate brokerage company in general matters. 
  • Creditors' committee formed in Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of title insurance company. 
  • Private equity fund in acquisition of assets from a bankruptcy estate. 
  • Secured creditors and financial institutions in various bankruptcy cases and insolvency proceedings. 
  • Commercial real estate developers in out-of-court workouts. 
  • Multiple coal companies as debtors’ counsel in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. 
  • Equipment lessors in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases.
  • A group of telecommunications companies in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.
  • A craft brewery and restaurant group in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.
INSIGHTS

Publications

Co-author, "Why the tornado-like headwinds confronting the energy industry will likely produce a surge of bankruptcy transactions in the US," International Insolvency & Restructuring Report 2020/21

Co-author, "Prepackaged Chapter 11 Case Considerations and Techniques" in ABA Reorganizing Failing Businesses, Third Edition, A Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Financial Restructuring and Business Reorganization Volume II

Contributor, "Can a Bankruptcy Trustee Avoid an Election to be Treated as a Corporation," Journal of Taxation, August 2012

Co-author, "When the 363 Sale is the Best Route," Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice, Vol. 15, No. 2 (2006)

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, "Apart from Passively Participating in Bankruptcy Filing, How Can FTX Users Recover More Losses?," Asia Blockchain Gaming Alliance, November 2022

Moderator, “State of Disruption: A Discussion with Experts in Industries Dealing with Significant Change,” AIRA 38th Annual Bankruptcy & Restructuring Conference, June 2022

Speaker, "Opportunities and Challenges Associated with Early-in-the-Case § 363 Sales," ABI Winter Leadership Conference, December 2020

Speaker, "Strategies for Extending the Runway to Facilitate a Restructuring in Hospitals and Health Systems," The BRG Healthcare Restructuring Conference, April 2018

Speaker, "Maximizing Value and Minimizing Risk in Shale Related Insolvencies," The Bakken Conference & Expo, July 2017

Speaker, "Understanding the Intricacies of a Coal Bankruptcy,” 29th Annual Bankruptcy Symposium of the Allegheny County Bar Association, December 2016 

Speaker, "Environmental Issues in Coal Bankruptcies," West Virginia Land and Mineral Owners Association, May 2014

Speaker, "Understanding the Rough Terrain of Coal Mining Insolvencies," West Virginia Land and Minerals Owners Association, May 2013

Speaker, "Effects of a Coal Lessee's Bankruptcy on Landowners in a Chapter 11 Case," West Virginia Land and Minerals Owners Association Fall Seminar, October 2012

Speaker, "Financial Distress in the Coal Industry: Options for Buyers and Producers," 11th Annual Coal Industry Briefing, September 2012

Speaker, "Maximizing Credit Group Recoveries," Pennsylvania Association of Credit Management, August 2012

Guest Lecturer, "Advanced Bankruptcy," University of Pittsburgh School of Law, September 2008, March 2011

Speaker, "Federal Tax Considerations in Bankruptcy," 23rd Annual Bankruptcy Symposium of the Allegheny County Bar Association, December 2010

Speaker, "Bankruptcy Sales," Turnaround Management Association, May 2010

Speaker, "Bankruptcy's Greatest Hits (10 Top Commercial Cases)," 22nd Annual Bankruptcy Symposium of Allegheny County Bar Association, December 2009

Speaker, "Litigating in the Bankruptcy Court," 47th Annual Bench-Bar Conference of the Allegheny County Bar Association, June 2009

Panelist, "Interactions Among Restructuring Professionals," Turnaround Management Association, June 2009

Speaker, "The 2007 Amendments to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure: An Overview for the Bankruptcy Practitioner," Bankruptcy Law Mountaineer Series 2008, December 2008

Speaker, "Representing Commercial Landlords in Bankruptcy," Bankruptcy Law Mountaineer Series 2008, December 2008

Speaker, "The Collision of the Automotive and Plastics Industries with the Bankruptcy Courts," Allegheny County Bar Association, November 2008

Speaker, "Automotive Bankruptcy Workshop," American Metal Market’s 3rd Annual Automotive Metals Conference, October 2008

Speaker, "A Roadmap for Representing Commercial Landlords in Bankruptcy," Allegheny County Bar Association, November 2007

Speaker, "Drafting Commercial Real Estate Leases: The Ins and Outs of Protecting Your Interests," The National Business Institute, October 2007

Speaker, "A Primer on Bankruptcy Law," Allegheny County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, September 2007

ARTICLES

Tornado-like Headwinds Confronting Energy Industry Likely to Produce Surge of Bankruptcy Transactions

Faced with unparalleled challenges the likes of which modern society has never seen before, economies around the world are combating the fallout from the global COVID-19 pandemic, market volatility, and civil unrest. And while certain industries may rebound in a manner consistent with economic revitalisation and growth, others – like the global oil and gas industry – are likely to end up in uncharted territories resulting from industry realignment and consolidation through restructuring and insolvency proceedings.

NEWS

36 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that thirty-six of its attorneys are listed among the 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

A Record 87 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024, Ten Selected as “Ones to Watch”

87 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 (copyright 2023 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). New practice areas of recognition include CleanTech Law and Entertainment and Sports Law. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.

73 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2023, Six Selected as “Lawyer of the Year”

73 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 (copyright 2022 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

Chambers Honors Whiteford in 14 Practice Areas

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2022 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes 29 attorneys in 14 practice areas at the National and State level.

75 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2022, Eight Named “Ones to Watch”

A record 75 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 (copyright 2021 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

Chambers Honors Whiteford in 11 Practice Areas

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2021 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes 25 attorneys in 11 practice areas in 3 states and the District of Columbia.

Law360 on Whiteford’s Growth in Pittsburgh

A Law360 article on the growth of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston’s Pittsburgh office appeared March 11 and featured an interview with Mike Roeschenthaler, Managing Partner of the Pittsburgh office.

71 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2021, Six Named “Lawyer of the Year”

A record 71 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021 (copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

Chambers Honors Whiteford in 10 Practice Areas

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2020 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes 23 attorneys in 10 practice areas in 3 states and the District of Columbia.

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston and 29 Lawyers Honored by Chambers and Partners

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2017 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes a record 29 attorneys in 4 states, the District of Columbia and Afghanistan. 


Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Attorney Joins New Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Pittsburgh Office

Whiteford Taylor & Preston announced today that Michael J. Roeschenthaler, a preeminent Pittsburgh-based bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer, has joined the firm and will reside in a new office the firm has opened in Pittsburgh.  Over the course of 15 years, Mr. Roeschenthaler has built a national reputation representing stakeholders in financially distressed situations in a wide range of sectors.