E. Todd Sable

Todd Sable is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Department and a senior member of both the Commercial Transactions Practice Group and Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights practice. His practice focuses on complex commercial transactions, bankruptcy and restructuring, and distressed business matters. He regularly represents major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and global suppliers with respect to significant long term commercial and procurement agreements, and in the development of strategies for the protection of the supply of goods.

Todd represents automotive and manufacturing businesses in their multifaceted commercial and supply chain relationships, and in disputes among customers, suppliers, and competitors.

He regularly advises OEMs, global automotive suppliers and startups with respect to connected and autonomous vehicle supply contracts and supply chain risk management.

Todd conducts structural analysis of transactions regarding bankruptcy and related risks, and counsels debtors, creditors' committees, customers, suppliers, and lenders in bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings, financial restructurings, liquidations, and workouts. He represents strategic and financial purchasers and sellers of assets and businesses in distressed conditions including in Bankruptcy Code and Uniform Commercial Code transactions, and serves as a commercial specialist in mergers and acquisitions matters.

Practice Areas

Industries

Representative Matters

• Advised Tier 1 automotive supplier as lead counsel in acquisition of key business unit from North American OEM
• Represented Tier 1 automotive supplier as lead counsel in the acquisition of multiple North American and European Tier 1 and 2 casting suppliers from leading private equity fund
• Served as lead commercial counsel for global Tier 1 automotive supplier in the $110 million acquisition of joint venture membership interests in a major North American supplier of lighting and signaling systems
• Represented multinational automotive supplier in the formation of minority business enterprise/joint venture for a North American manufacturing operation, including development of organizational structure and counseling during operational start-up phase, as well as negotiation of key agreements with OEM customer and primary supplier
• Advised purchaser in its acquisition of interests in a multi-casino joint venture from a financially distressed worldwide gaming, hotel, and resort company and in analyzing and protecting against risks related to seller’s bankruptcy proceeding
• Served as lead bankruptcy counsel in the matter of Capitol Bancorp Ltd., a bank holding company with a network of banks and bank operations in ten states and total consolidated assets of approximately $2 billion, resulting in a confirmed Chapter 11 plan
• Served as lead bankruptcy counsel to the debtor-in-possession financing lender in the matter of Oakland Physicians Medical Center (formerly known as Pontiac General Hospital and Medical Center); ultimately, the lender was the successful proponent of a plan of reorganization of the debtor among multiple competing plans of reorganization
• Served as lead bankruptcy counsel in $90 million luxury hotel acquisition pursuant to Bankruptcy Code section 363
• Acted as lead commercial and bankruptcy counsel in $170 million corporate and credit agreement restructuring
• Served as lead bankruptcy counsel for purchaser of landmark, Detroit skyscraper pursuant to Bankruptcy Code section 363
• Served as lead counsel to industrial manufacturer borrower in $55 million revolving line of credit workout
• Advised casino as co-lead counsel with respect to $150 million debtor-in-possession financing facility
• Represented multiple private equity firms with respect to acquisitions through section 363 bankruptcy sales, assignments for the benefit of creditors, receiverships, and Article 9 foreclosure sales

Clerkships

• Michigan Court of Appeals, Pre-Hearing Attorney and Law Clerk, 1996-1997

Education

Admissions

Court Admissions

Awards

• Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2010-2023
  • Recognized as one of America's leading business lawyers in the Bankruptcy/Restructuring field in Michigan; Chambers adds: 
    
    • "Todd's knowledge is robust and his approach to client service is stellar. He is pragmatic and results-oriented." "He is outstanding and very committed to getting the work done for clients. Todd is extremely commercially oriented, understanding and excellent in his strategic thinking."
    • “[Todd] is a great resource with excellent skills, great intuition and a results-oriented style. [He] thinks about the big picture whilst keeping a grip on all the details. He's strategic, and puts a huge emphasis on client service."
    • "Todd Sable has a broad bankruptcy practice, with his work covering the full spectrum of bankruptcy, restructuring and liquidation proceedings." Clients add, "When issues arise out of the blue, Todd is always ready, willing and able to jump right into the thick of things for us," "Todd is a deal-maker who gives practical and effective advice and counsel" and "One of the best client-focused lawyers I've ever worked with - he is very practical, business-focused and super responsive."
    • A client of Todd Sable praises him as "an excellent lawyer who is an expert in matters related to automotive supply chain issues. I highly recommend him for his pragmatism and problem-solving counsel." His work covers a broad spectrum of bankruptcy, restructuring and liquidation proceedings.
    • "Todd Sable is particularly well known for representing clients in the automotive sector, especially regarding bankruptcy proceedings, as well as advising on restructuring matters. Clients applaud his 'timeliness and thoroughness of response.'"
    • "Todd Sable regularly assists clients from the automotive industry with bankruptcy and restructuring mandates. One client appreciates that he is "very thorough and knows his client. He knows exactly what I am looking for and is very prompt, resourceful and timely."
    • "Todd Sable frequently advises clients on bankruptcy-related proceedings. He has considerable experience representing suppliers and manufacturers in a range of bankruptcy-related divestiture transactions."
    • "Todd Sable is noted for his strong transactional capabilities and understanding of bankruptcy-related procedures. He regularly represents prominent supplier, manufacturer and creditor clients in major acquisitions and divestitures."
    • "Todd Sable primarily advises on bankruptcy and reorganization matters, in addition to transactions, and is routinely sought after to advise original equipment manufacturers and suppliers in large-scale contracts."
    • "[Todd] focuses his practice on bankruptcy and corporation reorganization. He is lauded for his communicative strength, with sources saying 'he can boil down extremely complex concepts and fact patterns into easily digestible bullet points.'"
    • "Todd Sable is a bankruptcy specialist, with a particular interest in the automotive and manufacturing industries. Clients report that 'he gives you answers that allow your business people to understand the risks and make informed decisions.'"
    • "Clients say bankruptcy expert Todd Sable 'brings a depth of experience to commercial matters, gets to the heart of issues quickly and focuses on the critical aspects from a customer viewpoint.'"
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2009-2024
  • Recognized in practice areas of:
    • Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Detroit Litigation – Bankruptcy "Lawyer of the Year," 2023
• Michigan Super Lawyers, 2009-2023
• Law Bulletin Media
  • Leading Lawyers, Banking & Financial Institutions Law, 2017, 2023
  • Leading Lawyers, Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial, 2017, 2023
  • Leading Lawyers, Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections Law, 2017, 2023
  • Leading Lawyers, Secured Transactions Law, 2017, 2023
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010-2017, 2019, 2022
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional & Community Involvement

• Temple Beth El, Bloomfield Township, Michigan
  • Executive Committee, Member
  • Former Trustee
  • Former Vice President
• French-American Chamber of Commerce, Firm Representative
• Detroit Economic Club, Member

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