Michael Widland has developed an extensive practice working with not-for-profit entities and in the areas of corporate and commercial financing law, restructures, workouts and reorganizations. He represents major corporate clients, developers and lenders. Clients turn to Mike to draw upon his extensive experience and practical approach. His representation of lenders has included commercial banks, savings institutions, asset-based lenders, insurance companies and leasing companies in secured and unsecured lending.
Most recently, Mike has focused his practice on working with non-profit entities and has helped his clients by:
- Developing the concept of “functional replacement” to dramatically increase condemnation award by approximately $30M
- Reorganizing a not-for-profit within Chapter XI bankruptcy
- Refinancing mortgage and lines of credit for a performing arts center during the Covid-19 pandemic
- American Bar Association
- Connecticut Bar Association
- Fairfield County Bar Association
- Hartford County Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Association for Transportation Law
- Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys
- Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: Secretary, Board of Trustees (1997-2020)
- Stamford Center for Arts: Chairman of the Board, Board of Directors (1991-present)
- Connecticut Legal Services: Trustee (1994-2005)
- Mill River Park Collaborative: Member, Board of Directors (2005-2020)
- Town of Weston Planning and Zoning Board (1993-2005)
$65,000,000 Structured Financing
Handled $65,000,000 structured financing for Stanadyne, a worldwide designer and manufacturer of fuel filtration systems, fuel pumps, fuel injectors and valve train components, with almost $300 million in annual sales and an Exchange Act reporting company, with facilities in Connecticut, North Carolina, Florida, France, Italy, India and Brazil.
Awarded Summary Judgment in High Stakes Case for Global Technology Research and Advisory Firm
Awarded summary judgment, affirmed by a unanimous decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court, on behalf of a global technology research firm who was sued for defamation and unfair trade practices. The plaintiff alleged, in substance, that statements made by our client in a research report were defamatory and motivated by a “pay-to-play” business model which rewarded vendors who purchased substantial services from our client and punished those who did not. After the trial court granted our motion for summary judgment dismissing the lawsuit, the plaintiff appealed. The Connecticut Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the trial court’s dismissal, holding that the statements in the report were non-actionable expressions of opinion, and that no credible evidence existed to support the pay-to-play argument made by the plaintiff.