Service Areas

Education

Michigan State University College of Law, J.D.
Wayne State University, M.Ed., Ph.B.

Bar Admissions

Illinois
Michigan
New York

Court Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Courts of Appeals

Third Circuit
Fourth Circuit
Sixth Circuit
Seventh Circuit

U.S. District Courts

Northern District of Illinois
Eastern District of Michigan
Northern District of California
Eastern District of Texas

Michael H. Traison

Principal

traison@millercanfield.com

Chicago
T: +1.312.860.4230
O: +1.312.460.4200
M: +48.601.380.746
F: +1.312.460.4201

New York
T: +1.312.860.4230
O: +1.212.704.4400
F: +1.212.704.4410

Detroit
T: +1.312.860.4230
O: +1.313.963.6420
F: +1.313.496.7500

A widely recognized expert in helping businesses solve their commercial problems, Michael H. Traison specializes in all types of commercial matters. He represents clients with business problems from litigation to issues of debtors and creditors’ committees in Chapter 11 reorganizations, and in out-of-court workouts. Michael also represents clients with interests throughout the world with a special focus on Israel, Poland, the Czech Republic and elsewhere in Eastern Europe.

“Each client is treated as our only client. Their issues are our issues. Their success is our success.”
Michael H. Traison

Experience

A tireless advocate on behalf of his clients, Michael has appeared before courts throughout the United States, Poland and Israel.

“My goal is that my clients can rest at night knowing that I am on the job 24/6. They are in the care of counsel who cares about them.”

Prior to entering the practice of law, Michael was a public school teacher for 15 years in Detroit, Michigan and in Essex County, Ontario. He is certified in Michigan and Ontario as a secondary school teacher.

Professional Activities

U.S. Supreme Court, appeared in Re Ron Pair Enterprises, Inc.
American Bar Association, Business Law Section; Real Property Section; International Law Section
Federal Bar Association, Former member of the Board of Directors
International Bar Association, Business Law Section
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
Oakland County Bar Association
American Arbitration Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Bankruptcy Committee
National Association of Credit Management
Commercial Law League of America, Legislative Affairs Committee, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Section
American Trial Lawyers' Association
International Association/Jewish Lawyers & Jurists, Founding Member of Michigan Chapter and Warsaw, Poland Chapter and Member of International Advisory Board of American Section
American Bankruptcy Institute
State of Michigan Bilateral Trade Team for Israel
Chicago Bar Foundation, 2010 Investing in Justice Campaign, Vice Chair
Association of Israeli Automotive Parts Producers, Vice-president

Honors + Awards

Polish-American Heritage Award, Polish-American Heritage Council, 2003
Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law 2006-present
Michigan Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor, 2007-present
International Humanitarian Award, Jerusalem Peace Dinner, 2008
DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights 2011

Civic, Cultural + Social Activities

Israel/Poland Chamber of Commerce
Canada-US Business Council of Chicago, Canada-Midwest Business Bulletin, Editor-in-Chief
Jewish Vocational Service, Former Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee
North American/Israel Chambers of Commerce, Former Member Board of Directors
NAACP, Detroit Branch
Jewish Community Council of Metro Detroit, Former Chair of Unity Committee and Former Member of the Board of Directors
Simon Wiesenthal Center
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Former Member of the Cultural and Group Services Division
American Jewish Committee, Board of Directors
America-Israel Chamber of Commerce of Michigan, Board of Directors; President, 1994-97; President Emeritus, 1998-present
America-Israel Chamber of Commerce Chicago, Vice-President; Board of Directors
Polish American Jewish American Council
Polish American Association, Board of Directors
American Friends of Shaare Zedek Hospital of Jerusalem, Israel, Board of Directors, Chicago and Midwest Region
Jewish National Fund Midwest, Board of Directors
Executive Club of Chicago
Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
Forum for Dialogue Among Nations, Supporter
National Polish-American/Jewish-American Council
Jewish Wysokie Mazowieckie
Chicago Jewish Federation
Urban League
United Negro College Fund
New York Jewish Federation
Lira Ensemble in Chicago
Zamir Chorale in Boston
AIPAC
Moses Shorr Foundation of Warsaw, Poland, Deputy President; Board Member
Polish American Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
Chicago Historical Society
Standard Club, Chicago, Illinois, Member
Originator (1996) of Ceremony of Annual Awards for Poles Preserving Jewish Heritage in Poland
Board of Foundation for Remembrance and Reconciliation Member
Creator of Pinczow Szabbat 2006
AAJLJ - Chicago, Warsaw, Poland and Detroit Chapters, Founding Member
State of Israel Bonds, Midwest Region, Board of Governors

Religious Activities

Congregation B'nai David, Former Member of the Board of Directors
Lakeshore Drive Synagogue, Chicago, Illinois, Member

Publications

Author of articles on bankruptcy and debt collection in Poland and Israel.

Speeches

Rotary Club of Chicago

Madonna University School of Business

National Home Centers Credit Group

Poland Association of Bankruptcy Trustees

International Transaction Forum

Kol Israel Radio

Israel Business Institute

National Association of Credit Management Annual Meetings and

International Trade Group

Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants

New York University Law School

Canadian Bar Association

Society of Automotive Engineers

American Bar Association’s International Section

University of Windsor Law School

Warsaw School of Economics

Piotrikow High School

Seminars + Conferences

"Commerce, Law and Doing Business in the Middle East," Moderator, American Bar Association International Section, Middle East Committee, Annual Meeting, July 31, 2009.

"Polish/Jewish History" and "Doing Business in Poland," Rotary Club of Chicago, November 2008

"Doing Business in Poland," Warsaw School of Economics, November 2006

"Doing Business in Poland," McManus Distinguished Business Lecture Series, Madonna University School of Business, November 15, 2005

National Home Centers Credit Group, "Issues in Anti-trust," Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, August 16/17, 2005

"Israel: The Successes, The Setbacks, The Road Ahead," Cosponsor, 3rd Annual Academic Israel Conference, March 21, 2004, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor