Michelle M. Bertolino
Shareholder, Creditors' Rights & Consumer Bankruptcy Chair
One Financial Center121 SW Morrison Street, Suite 600
Portland OR 97204
mbertolino@fwwlaw.com
503.228.6044
Practice Areas
Banking & FinanceBankruptcy & Creditors' Rights
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Practice Summary
Michelle focuses on the representation of creditors in collection matters and protection of creditors' rights in bankruptcy. She is creative and practical, and with 25+ years of experiences, she knows how to efficiently and effectively protect creditors' interests and recover their money and collateral.
She regularly represents credit unions, banks, lenders, leasing companies, and other financial service providers and creditors in bankruptcy matters, foreclosures, and consumer and commercial collections.
Before joining Farleigh Wada Witt, Michelle represented debtors in Chapter 7 and 13 proceedings. With experience representing both creditors and debtors, Michelle has a unique perspective that allows her to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the other side and obtain the best results for her clients quickly and efficiently.
She regularly represents credit unions, banks, lenders, leasing companies, and other financial service providers and creditors in bankruptcy matters, foreclosures, and consumer and commercial collections.
Before joining Farleigh Wada Witt, Michelle represented debtors in Chapter 7 and 13 proceedings. With experience representing both creditors and debtors, Michelle has a unique perspective that allows her to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the other side and obtain the best results for her clients quickly and efficiently.
Representative Matters
Michelle advises clients on all aspects of creditors' rights and remedies, and prosecutes and defends claims on behalf of creditors in state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington.Bankruptcy
- Creditor related aspects of Chapter 7, 13 and 11
- Relief from the automatic stay
- Dischargeability litigation
- Preference defense
- Chapter 13 litigation
- Reaffirmation agreements
- Defense of claims for alleged violation of the automatic stay and discharge injunction
- Proof of claim defense and litigation
- Objections to confirmation of plans
- Bankruptcy lien avoidance litigation/lien stripping
- Non-judicial and judicial real estate foreclosures
- REO foreclosures
- Short sales
- Forcible entry and detainer (FED) actions
- Drafting workout agreements, forbearance agreements and deeds in lieu
- Loan delinquencies
- Consumer and commercial debt collections
- Pre-judgment provisional process
- Post-judgment collection enforcement including personal property foreclosures, repossessions, levies, garnishments, and replevin actions
- Contract forfeitures
- Construction lien foreclosures
Education
Willamette University College of Law (J.D. 1991)Willamette University (B.A. Business Economics, 1986)
Admissions
Oregon State BarWashington State Bar
U.S. Districit Court
District of Oregon
Western District of Washington
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
District of Oregon
Western District of Washington
Eastern District of Washington
Associations
American Bankruptcy InstituteCredit Association of the Pacific NW
Oregon State Bar Debtor/Creditor Section
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA)
Lease Enforcement Attorney Network (LEAN)