Douglas C. Bernstein

Partner

Licensed Since: 1982
Joined Firm: 2002
Partner Since: 2003

38505 Woodward Ave.
Suite 2000
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

TEL: (248) 901-4091
FAX: (248) 901-4040

dbernstein@plunkettcooney.com

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Areas of Practice

Honors & Awards

Award for Excellence - Chambers USA - Banking & Finance: Michigan, 2010
Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating-AV. AV is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
Michigan Super Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights; Michigan Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, 2008 - 2011
Top Lawyers - Dbusiness magazine, 2009
American Jurisprudence Award – Labor Law 1, 1980
Honor Roll – Spring 1979, Fall 1980

Education

Detroit College of Law, J.D., 1982
Wayne State University, B.A., 1978

Bar & Court Admissions

Michigan, 1982
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1982
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2004
U.S.Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1982

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 documentation, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, receiverships and other banking-related litigation and appeals on behalf of national and regional lenders and special services.

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.

Representative Client Work

Served as counsel to secured lender in several troubled residential construction and development projects, including obtaining the appointment of a receiver.
Representation of lenders in bankruptcy proceedings to deny debtors discharge of debts.
Successful restructure on behalf of lender of $28,000,000 loan relationship, resulting in full repayment to client, including reimbursement of all costs and attorneys’ fees.
Representation of major automotive supplier in defense of $10,000,000 preference and fraudulent conveyance action.
Served as counsel to lender in numerous matters involving troubled hotels, restaurants, boat manufacturers, automotive suppliers.
Providing general bankruptcy advice to several automotive suppliers.

Professional Affiliations

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

Community Involvement

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)
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (Board Member, April 2008 - July 2009)

Publications and Lectures

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