Michael J. Sheppeard

Michael J. Sheppeard has nearly two decades of experience serving as counsel to clients in a broad range of industries. He represents clients on an international scale in a wide variety of legal matters including corporate and business transactions, brand management, restructuring and business turnarounds, complex litigation, labor and employment, franchising, and technology, among other practice areas.

With recent economic ups and downs, Mr. Sheppeard has devoted a significant portion of his practice to working with clients to restructure and turn around their businesses to avoid closure or filing for bankruptcy.  Throughout this process, Mr. Sheppeard works closely with clients to understand their goals and various needs in order to assist the client in stabilizing their business, diagnosing and evaluating the issues afflicting the business, and developing a business plan that places the client on the path to future success.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Sheppeard was affiliated with an NYC law firm where he co-chaired its commercial litigation practice group, serving as lead counsel in a wide range of cases involving internationally recognized brands, large private equity funds, and other large companies in cases from inception to appeal.  While there, Mr. Sheppeard also represented numerous clients in complex corporate and transactional matters including brand acquisitions, asset and stock purchasing agreements (including § 363 bankruptcy sales), financing and secured transaction agreements, as well as licensing of intellectual property and distribution arrangements domestically and internationally.

Additionally, Mr. Sheppeard assists clients with numerous brand management issues, with a particular focus on clients with lax enforcement policies concerning their intellectual property and distribution channels. Together with the client, Mr. Sheppeard develops oversight mechanisms to monitor and effectively respond to actions by distributors, licensees, and franchisees.

Mr. Sheppeard earned his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts from the Eastern Kentucky University, magna cum laude, and his Juris Doctor from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.