Richard Mikels
Lecturer in Law
Shareholder, Chairman and Section Manager of the Bankruptcy Law Department,
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
B.S. in Business Administration, Boston University College of Business Administration
J.D., cum laude, Boston University School of Law
Interests: Commercial Law, Workouts, Reorganization
Richard Mikels is a member in Mintz Levin’s Boston office and serves as Chairman and Manager of the Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Commercial Law Section.
He has practiced in the area of commercial law, workouts, and reorganization for over thirty years, and is a frequent lecturer on bankruptcy and commercial law topics before professional organizations and at academic institutions and is the author of numerous articles in the area. Rick teaches Bankruptcy at the Boston University School of Law.
Rick has a national practice, focusing on insolvency and restructuring issues. He has represented companies both in bankruptcy and in out of court restructuring. Additionally, he often represents other constituencies, including secured creditors and acquirers of businesses, in Chapter 11 reorganizations. Representative Debtor Chapter 11 cases include Alpha Omega Jewelers, Joan Fabrics Corporation, Malden Mills, ACT Manufacturing, Inc., Filenes Basement, Inc., divine, Inc. and Great Northern Paper, Inc.
Rick is also a recognized author on issues related to Chapter 11 reorganizations. He was among a small group of bankruptcy experts that were asked to author chapters of Bankruptcy Business Acquisitions, a legal resource guide to the intricacies of the bankruptcy sale process. Additionally, Rick is a contributing editor to the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal and has published articles that addressed balancing creditor and equity interests in Chapter 11, bankruptcy appellate practices and the disinterestedness requirements for bankruptcy professionals. He is routinely asked to lecture at area universities, law schools and conferences. Rick’s colleagues have selected him for inclusion in Naifeh and Smith’s "Best Lawyers in America" since its first publication in 1983. He is also listed in "Who's Who in America". This year, Rick was chosen by his peers as one of Massachusetts Top 10 "Super Lawyers". He was also recognized in "Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business" as a "Star Performer".
Rick's commitment to professional excellence is demonstrated by his involvement in numerous professional organizations. He is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and serves as the First Circuit Regent for that organization. He has served as a member of the National Board of Directors of the American Bankruptcy Institute. Rick serves as a director of the New England Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. He served as the President of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association of Boston University School of Law and continues to serve on the Executive Committee.
Rick is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts of Massachusetts and is a member of the Massachusetts and Boston Bar Associations, as well as the Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Turnaround Management Association and the Commercial Law League of America. Rick received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Boston University and his J.D., cum laude, from Boston University School of Law.