Michael G. Wickstead is a Member and lead attorney in the firm’s Business practice area. Mr. Wickstead is also the lead attorney in the Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor group. He has extensive experience representing creditors, both inside and outside the bankruptcy arena, attempting to enforce their collection and other remedies against debtors and has assisted creditors in structuring loan workouts. His expertise includes advising debtors who are contemplating bankruptcy as to their rights, obligations and opportunities. He has represented creditors and debtors in major bankruptcy cases before the Bankruptcy Courts for both the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington.

Mr. Wickstead’s practice also includes representation of clients in complex commercial transactions, especially the buying and selling of businesses and real estate. He has frequently represented borrowers in negotiating large commercial loans and lines of credit. He has also advised business owners and managers required to respond to claims or disputes arising from commercial transactions.

Mr. Wickstead is a frequent lecturer before other attorneys and credit managers in the Seattle area, presenting such topics as general overviews of the Bankruptcy Code, effects on commercial leasing of the bankruptcy of either landlord or tenant, mortgage foreclosures, creditors’ rights in bankruptcy, and the drafting and enforcement of standard commercial credit agreements.

Born in Renton, Washington in 1948, Mr. Wickstead graduated with Honors from Eastern Washington State College in 1970 and received his J.D. from the University of Washington Law School in 1973. Prior to joining the firm in September 1982, Mr. Wickstead served for four years in the United States Army as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp. and practiced as Assistant General Counsel and General Counsel for Western Farmers Association, from August 1977 through August 1982.