Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Bankruptcy Fees Announced Paid By The City of Detroit

Author: Joel R. Glucksman

Date: January 15, 2015

Key Contacts

Back

As the curtain opens slowly Detroit’s bankruptcy fees are revealed…

City officials disclosed Dec. 30 that Detroit paid out approximately $170.2 million in bankruptcy fees and expenses to lawyers and restructuring consultants during its landmark bankruptcy case.

When the state’s reimbursement of $5.29 million is considered, the total fees paid from the city’s general fund come to $164.91 million, The Detroit News continued. A deal was reached earlier this month regarding concessions from individual firms expected to shave off another $25 million from this figure, but specifics were not included in Tuesday’s filings per a mediation order.

Bankruptcy firm Jones Day earned the largest payout from the city to the tune of $57.9 million, according to the news source.

Investment banking firm Miller Buckfire followed with $22.82 million, financial restructuring advisory firm Ernst & Young took $20.22 million and operational restructuring firm Conway MacKenzie took $17.28 million. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes, who presided over the case, will rule as to whether these fees are reasonable within the next two weeks.

“We were very pleased with the mediation process and thankful to Judge (Gerald) Rosen and his team (of mediators) for their hard work throughout,” Detroit Corporation Counsel Melvin Butch Hollowell told the news source. “Now, we will look forward to Judge Rhodes’ ruling on the reasonableness of these fees.”

The final figure came in $12 million under the $177 million that Detroit had budgeted in its plan to restructure $18 billion of debts and obligations under Chapter 9 of the bankruptcy law, according to Reuters. The city also reported paying $1.4 million in fees out of the enterprise fund and just shy of $12 million paid by its two pension funds.

Rhodes sent Detroit’s bankruptcy team into mediation earlier in the proceedings after the city’s officials raised concerns about legal costs eating into the money needed to rebuild, according to the news source. Court mediators announced fee deals were reached on Dec. 11, but declined to disclose details.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Fort Monmouth Redevelopment and the Transformation of Monmouth County Real Estate post image

Fort Monmouth Redevelopment and the Transformation of Monmouth County Real Estate

The Fort Monmouth redevelopment has entered its execution phase, and it is repositioning the broader Monmouth County real estate market. When Netflix and the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority closed on the 292-acre Mega Parcel in December 2025, the transaction did more than hand over a deed. It marked the moment Fort Monmouth stopped being […]

Author: Donald M. Pepe

Link to post with title - "Fort Monmouth Redevelopment and the Transformation of Monmouth County Real Estate"
Local Zoning and Land Use Rules Every New Jersey Rental Property Owner Should Understand post image

Local Zoning and Land Use Rules Every New Jersey Rental Property Owner Should Understand

Owning a residential rental property in New Jersey involves more than finding tenants and collecting rent. Property owners must comply with a combination of state laws, municipal ordinances, building and housing codes, and zoning and land use regulations. These requirements can affect everything from the number of dwelling units permitted at a property to whether […]

Author: Donald M. Pepe

Link to post with title - "Local Zoning and Land Use Rules Every New Jersey Rental Property Owner Should Understand"
Real Estate Litigation Explained: Top 5 Disputes and How to Avoid Them post image

Real Estate Litigation Explained: Top 5 Disputes and How to Avoid Them

The five most common real estate disputes are breach of contract claims, landlord-tenant conflicts, zoning and land use disagreements, construction claims, and boundary disputes. Understanding why each arises, and taking preventive steps early, can help property owners, tenants, developers, and investors avoid costly litigation. Key Takeaways: Real estate transactions are complex endeavors involving numerous parties […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "Real Estate Litigation Explained: Top 5 Disputes and How to Avoid Them"
When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan post image

When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan

Once a child turns 18, parents lose the automatic legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf, even if the child still lives at home or remains on the family’s insurance. Three documents close that gap: a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy or directive, and a HIPAA authorization. For […]

Author: George McGowan

Link to post with title - "When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan"
Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips post image

Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips

Business mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps companies negotiate a resolution to a commercial dispute without going to trial. Because working with a mediator is very different from litigating in the courtroom, it is important to understand how commercial mediation works, when it makes sense for your dispute, […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips"
Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation post image

Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation

The five most common causes of construction defect litigation are design defects, substandard materials, workmanship defects, code violations, and subsurface defects. Because these flaws can compromise a building’s integrity, functionality, or safety, they frequently lead to disputes involving multiple parties and high financial stakes. Key takeaways: What is Construction Defect Litigation? Construction litigation is complex, […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging.
“If you would like to submit a file, please email it directly to info@sh-law.com.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!