Michael John Riela

Michael advises clients in complex corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, data privacy and cybersecurity matters. He is also an experienced general business attorney, advising clients in general corporate, finance and litigation matters, including negotiating and drafting complex commercial contracts.

Creditors’ Rights & Business Reorganization and Insolvency Litigation

Michael has in-depth experience in advising clients in corporate and real estate Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, M&A transactions involving distressed sellers, debtor-in-possession (DIP) and bankruptcy exit loan facilities, secondary market trading of distressed debt and trade claims, and insolvency-related litigation. He has particular experience defending complex preference and fraudulent transfer cases, and with handling professional retention and fee dispute matters in bankruptcy cases. Michael focuses on helping clients minimize cost, delay and risk by developing and implementing out-of-court strategies when possible.

Michael’s clients primarily include distressed companies, officers and directors, indenture trustees, hedge funds, private equity firms, landlords, professional services firms (including major accounting firms), trade creditors, contract counterparties and shareholders.

Michael’s restructuring and bankruptcy practice spans across numerous different industries, though much of his recent work has been focused on the staffing, real estate, construction, retail, technology, and cannabis industries.

Michael is also a panel mediator in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern and Eastern District of New York and the District of Delaware.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Michael assists clients identify, evaluate and manage risks associated with their data privacy and security practices. He advises clients on various U.S. federal and state privacy and data security laws and rules, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the New York State Department of Financial Services cybersecurity regulation, HIPAA, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and state data breach notification laws. He also advises clients with respect to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and with respect to cross-border data transfers.

Michael helps clients evaluate their data security risks, and prepares and helps clients implement security documentation, including written information security programs, systems access policies and incident response plans. After a data breach occurs, Michael assists clients in addressing legal, operational and reputational risks arising from the breach.

Michael is a Certified Information Privacy Professional / United States Private Sector (CIPP/US), a Certified Information Privacy Professional / Europe (CIPP/E) and a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), which are designations awarded by The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Michael is an active volunteer in the community, serving as a Cub Scout leader and a Little League baseball coach. He also serves on the board of directors of the Edgemont School Foundation and is a member of the Career Committee of the University of Michigan Alumni Association of New York City.