Michael S. Amato is a partner in Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP’s Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring and Litigation practice groups.

Michael is a skilled bankruptcy attorney with substantial experience representing debtors, creditors, trustees and creditor committees in complex restructuring and reorganization matters.

He has advised clients in negotiating, structuring and drafting complex Chapter 11 plans and debtor-in-possession financing agreements. Michael regularly represents parties in interest in bankruptcy litigation, including fiduciary duty and fraud claims, actions to avoid preferential transfers and fraudulent conveyances, turnover proceedings and actions to recover assets.

Michael’s litigation experience includes both jury and non-jury trials in federal and state courts. He has represented clients in complex commercial matters, including contract claims, shareholder valuation and dissolution actions, unfair competition and labor matters, including wage and hour claims.

Michael has represented clients in mediation and arbitration matters, and is an approved mediator in the United States Bankruptcy Court for both the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

Michael was selected to the 2023 and 2024 New York Metro Super Lawyers lists. He received the 2025 LI Herald’s Top Lawyers Award for bankruptcy and restructuring.  Michael is an active member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Turnaround Management Association and the Nassau and Suffolk County Bar Associations.

PRACTICE AREAS

• Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring
• Litigation

EDUCATION

• St John’s University School of Law, J.D., 1994
• State University of New York at Stony Brook, B.A., 1989

ADMISSIONS

• New York
• EDNY
• SDNY
• NDNY
• 2d Circuit

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
• Member, Turnaround Management Association
• Member, Nassau County Bar Association
• Member, Suffolk County Bar Association