The law firm of Steinhilber Swanson LLP, with offices in Oshkosh, Madison, Milwaukee and Wisconsin, has been augmented through the addition of two new partners, James D. Sweet and Michael P. Richman. Sweet is a nationally-recognized chapter 11 business debtors’ lawyer, and Michael P. Richman, also nationally recognized for his chapter 11 experience (including bankruptcy litigation and associated courtroom advocacy) on behalf of debtors and creditors.
Sweet and Richman have both published and lectured extensively on bankruptcy topics. Sweet is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, honored as one of the Best Lawyers in America, and awarded designation as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer. Richman is a past president and chairman of the American Bankruptcy Institute, an adjunct professor of Bankruptcy Law at the University of Wisconsin Law School and awarded designation as a New York Super Lawyer
The firm will continue its legacy practices in estate planning, family law, and bankruptcies and restructurings under chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, creditors’ rights, as well as civil litigation in state and federal (including bankruptcy) courts, so that it is uniquely well-positioned to provide a special focus on the relief of businesses, farmers, consumers and other individuals from financial distress. Senior legacy partner, Paul G. Swanson, immediate Past President of the Wisconsin State Bar said, “We are excited that with the addition of Jim and Michael, we are positioned to be one of the Midwest’s powerhouse boutique law firms focusing on the relief from and avoidance of financial distress.” Swanson is one of Wisconsin’s best-known bankruptcy lawyers, also designated as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer, and is past president of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees. He is also a frequent panelist on bankruptcy issues.
Swanson emphasized that, “You cannot appropriately focus on avoidance of and relief from financial distress without a practice area designed to assist people with estate planning, civil matters and family law, with the aim of avoiding bankruptcy and related relief. Ken Sipsma is the ideal person to anchor that practice.” Sipsma, a cum laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, has a well-established history of representing persons in sensitive matters including estate and probate planning and disputes, family issues, mental health issues, accusations of wrongdoing and related civil and criminal cases. His estate planning and trust administration work regularly covers complex and disputed issues.
Sweet and Richman are expected to work closely with Swanson and with Madison bankruptcy and litigation partner Claire Ann formerly Resop. Another designated Wisconsin Super Lawyer, Resop has been selected as one of the Top 25 Women Super Lawyers in Wisconsin, is a past director of the American Bankruptcy Institute, and has been a leader and chair of the Wisconsin State Bar’s Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditors’ Rights Section. Like Sweet, Richman, and Swanson, Resop also lectures frequently at national and regional conferences on bankruptcy issues. The bankruptcy team is rounded out by junior partner John W. Menn, who focuses on consumer bankruptcy and family farmer relief, and associates Nicholas Hahn and Randy Pflum.
The Firm’s new website is www.steinhilberswanson.com and they can also be found on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For further information about this press release please contact Michael P. Richman (608) 709-5998.