Background
Thirty years of corporate restructuring and Chapter 11 experience. Committed to exploring all workout options—both in and out of court. Respected counsel on distressed asset disposition and acquisition.
Mike Pankow takes a comprehensive approach to advising his clients on their business reorganization or Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings or purchases. Focusing on each client’s unique legal and business objectives, he offers sophisticated, actionable solutions to organizations navigating corporate restructuring or seeking to acquire distressed assets. As a transactional attorney, he provides structural advice regarding mergers and acquisitions and issuing and review of non-consolidation opinions in structured finance transactions. In Chapter 11 cases he helps formulate strategies that fit the client’s restructuring objectives and is an aggressive and effective advocate for them. In addition to helping clients in the midst of restructurings, he also advises boards of directors considering business reorganization or distressed asset acquisition on their duties and options to allow for informed decision-making.
Handling restructurings across industries and geographic areas gives Mike breadth of experience and knowledge. Clients appreciate Mike’s commitment to finding and executing creative solutions. Whether it is a sale transaction, investment or a traditional reorganization, he is calm, informed and solution-oriented.
Deals
Representative Matters
- Represented Mi Pueblo, a portfolio company of Victory Park Capital, in its sale to an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts Co. L.P. Mi Pueblo is Northern California’s leading Hispanic grocery retailer.
- Counsel to Gilbert Hospital, LLC, a general acute-care hospital based in Gilbert, Arizona in connection with its merger with Florence Hospital at Anthem, LLC pursuant to a confirmed Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. Representation included all aspects of a this sophisticated merger transaction, including transition of the two hospitals under joint ownership and operation, coordinating employment and equity compensation documents for employees, and identifying and resolving health care regulatory aspects of the foregoing, and strategic advice.
- Represented Fresh Produce Holdings, LLC in its Chapter 11 case, having completed a sale of the Company’s assets to a purchaser preserving the going concern after a robust auction.
- Counsel to Regional Care Services Corporation, the parent company of Casa Grande Regional Medical Center based in Casa Grande, Arizona, in negotiating the sale of the hospital assets to Banner Health pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement and related transactions. Representation encompassed all aspects of this sophisticated sale transaction, including the sale process and APA, coordinating interim financing arrangements and reorganization under Chapter 11, and identifying and resolving all health care regulatory aspects of the foregoing.
- Counsel to PAS Technologies Inc. in a squeeze-out merger of PAS Tech Holdings, Inc. and recapitalization by KRG Capital Partners, AlpInvest and Pennant Park, with simultaneous restructure of syndicated senior credit facility, conversion of subordinated debt to equity and equity capital infusion.
- Counsel to Big Sandy Holding Co., Inc., a bank holding company, as seller and debtor in its Chapter 11 case in a Section 363 sale of its stock in Mile High Banks and concurrent recapitalization by Strategic Growth Bancorp, Inc. for a total of approximately $100 million. During the 363 process, Big Sandy received a competing bid from a third party, so the transaction involved the first-ever competitive auction of a bank in a Section 363 sale.
Insights & Publications
Insights & Publications
News
News
Credentials
Education
- J.D., 1989, Creighton University School of Law, magna cum laude
- B.S.B.A., 1987, Creighton University, cum laude
Admissions
- Colorado, 1992
- Nebraska, 1989
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
Memberships
American Bankruptcy Institute
Colorado Bar Association
Nebraska State Bar Association
Turnaround Management Association
Recognition
AWARDS:
“Mike is strong at dealing with complex transactions.” – Chambers USA, 2025
“A brilliant restructuring attorney.” – Chambers USA, 2022
Best Lawyers in America, 2010-2025
- Banking and Finance Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor Debt Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year, Denver, 2013, 2023
- Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year, Denver, 2018
Chambers USA, 2021-2025
5280 Top Lawyers, 2015-2020, 2022-2025
Law Week Colorado, Barrister’s Best “Best Bankruptcy Lawyer”, 2015, 2023
“Local Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation, 2018
Colorado SuperLawyers, 2009
