Laura J. Genovich

Laura is a shareholder in the firm's Grand Rapids office and has an extensive bankruptcy law practice.  Laura serves as a Chapter 7 (liquidation) trustee and as a Chapter 12 (farm and family fishermen) trustee for the Western District of Michigan, and she has served as a Chapter 11 Examiner.  Read more about Laura's work as a trustee here. 

Because bankruptcy affects all industries, Laura helps her individual and business clients navigate the bankruptcy system in numerous ways:

• Represents secured and unsecured creditors in Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy cases in various matters, including filing motions for relief from the automatic stay and motions to allow administrative claims, objecting to reorganization plans, preparing proofs of claims, and prosecuting nondischargeability actions.
• Represents buyers wishing to purchase assets from bankruptcy estates.
• Defends individual and business clients against preference demands and lawsuits.
• Advises businesses and municipalities about how to protect their interests when a customer, supplier, or taxpayer files bankruptcy.
• Helps families (and their lawyers) understand the interplay between bankruptcy and divorce law.
• Represents other Chapter 7 trustees in all matters related to estate administration.

With her breadth of knowledge and experience, Laura can handle any matter related to bankruptcy, collections, or commercial transactions.   

Thomas M. Cooley Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award

Pace National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, National Quarter-Finalist

State Bar of Michigan 1L Oral Advocacy Competition - First Place

Michigan Super Lawyers "Rising Star," 2012-2015

• Served on legal team for major secured creditor in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Family Christian Stores, LLC.
• Represented bankruptcy trustee in corporate Chapter 7 case and filed more than 40 avoidance lawsuits against preference recipients, resulting in the recovery of more than $500,000 for the bankruptcy estate.
• Represented creditor against trustee's demand for more than $170,000 in alleged preference payments and negotiated favorable settlement for client. 
• Represented auto lender in obtaining a nondischargeability judgment based on debtor’s fraudulent conduct. 
• Defended national telecommunications company against claims for violating the automatic stay and discharge injunction. 

Legal Affiliations:

• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association Bankruptcy Section (Western District of Michigan), Steering Committee Member

Industry & Professional Associations:

• National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
• Grand Rapids Young Professionals
• Inforum
• American Bankruptcy Institute

Community Involvement:

• Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Board of Directors 2011-2012