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Arthur Spector concentrates his practice in business bankruptcy cases and workouts. He served from 1984–2002 as a United States Bankruptcy Judge in the Eastern District of Michigan where he was Chief Judge the last three years.  He authored 170 published judicial opinions, including 25 in the Dow Corning case.

Representative Experience

  • Coordinated worldwide litigation on behalf of committee of creditors overseeing the liquidation of a debtor after chapter 11 plan confirmation regarding allegedly fraudulent schemes by a former director and numerous accomplices involving dozens of companies on several continents and over $160 million
  • Represented low-cost airline with large antitrust claim in negotiations and potential litigation against legacy air carrier in its chapter 11 case.
  • Represented purchaser of large bankrupt retailer’s intellectual property and website
  • Designed and executed strategy to obtain confirmation of restaurant chain’s reorganization plan in heated competition with a creditor’s plan

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member of the American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member of National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and served on the Board of Governors and committees

Awards & Recognition

  • Chambers & Partners USA Guide, America's Leading Business Lawyers, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2005-2011)
  • The Best Lawyers in America (Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law, since 2009)
  • Florida's Super Lawyers (2006-2011) 
  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Articles & Presentations

Articles

  • "Stern v. Marshall: Two Middle District of Florida Cases Apply Narrow view," State-to-State, The Florida Bar Out of State Division, Fall/Winter 2011
  • "Notwithstanding Stern: Bankruptcy Courts May Still Enter Judgment in Many Noncore Counterclaims," Norton Bankruptcy Law Adviser, September 2011
  • "Anna Nicole Smith Decision Affects Court's Authority," Daily Business Review (August 23, 2011)
  • "Suggestion: Plug the No-Fault Act’s Notorious Loophole,” 1997 Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University Law Review 777 (1997)
  • “Who Watches the Watchdog?," NACTT Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 1 (October 1997)
  • “Bankruptcy,” 1998 Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University Law Review 365 (1998)
  • "Bankruptcy,” 1999 Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University Law Review 317 (1999)
  • “Bankruptcy” 2000 Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University Law Review 563 (2000)
  • “Discharges of Non-Debtor Parties,” American Bankruptcy Institute’s Central States Bankruptcy Workshop 2000: Educational Materials 131 (June 2000)
  • “Trustees to PRPs: Please Join Me in Cleaning Up This Mess,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XXII, No. 5 (June, 2003)
  • "Amend Rule 2014(a) to Include a Rule of Reason or Safe Harbor Guidelines,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (December/January, 2005)
  • Defense of Bankruptcy-Eve Payments Likely to Be Easier, Daily Business Review, March 30, 2005
  • “Bankruptcy Code Revision Favors Commercial Landlords,” Florida Real Estate Journal (May 16-31, 2005)
  • "Unlimited Homestead Exemptions Meet BAPCPA's 522(p),” Bankruptcy Court Decisions, Volume 45, Issue 12 (November 1, 2005)
  • "Liberalization of Section 547(c)(2) Gives Defendants a Powerful Choice,” Bankruptcy Reform 2005 LRP Publications
  • “Thanks to Chapter 15, South Florida Should See Wave of Transnational Insolvencies,” International Quarterly (Spring 2007)
  • "Rule 2014(a) and a Rule of Reason or Safe Harbor Guideline Revisited," American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (February, 2007)
  • “Making Sense of New Rule 6003: Interim Approval of the Retention of DIP Professionals,” Bankruptcy Court Decisions, Vol. 49; Issue 11 (Feb. 19, 2008)
  • "Second Circuit Clarifies that the Bankruptcy Court Lacked Jurisdiction to Enter ‘Clarifying Order’ in Johns-Manville," Norton Bankruptcy Law Adviser (May 2008)
  • Contributing editor for Norton Bankruptcy Law & Practice II & III

Presentations

  • Adjunct Professor of Law at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, and instructed at law schools
  • Numerous professional and judicial seminars, including
    • The Florida Bar CLE, Annual Wealth Protection 2010, "Voluntary or Involuntary Bankruptcy: What the Estate Planner Needs to Know About the Bankruptcy Process, May 2010"
    • Commercial Finance Association, Florida Chapter Education Workshop on Bankruptcy Panel - Current Issues and Trends, January 2010
    • Norton’s Bankruptcy Law & Practice Seminar, February 2009
    • ABI - Caribbean Insolvency Symposium, February 2006
    • Mealey’s Asbestos Bankruptcy Conference, December 2004