Jason Smalarz is an experienced Detroit, Michigan attorney who practices consumer and small business bankruptcy law. He represents individuals and small businesses in matters involving Chapter 7, 13 and 11 bankruptcies, bankruptcy litigation, bankruptcy appeals, state court litigation and non-bankruptcy debt restructurings/workouts. He also represents Chapter 7 Trustees and creditors in both consumer and business bankruptcy cases. With his practice, Mr. Smalarz emphasizes a personalized, client-centered approach focused on achieving his client’s goals in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Mr. Smalarz’s firm, represents individuals and business throughout the state of Michigan in all areas of bankruptcy, non-bankruptcy debt restructuring/workouts and civil matters in Michigan courts. After graduating from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a degree in business administration, Mr. Smalarz earned his master of business administration (MBA) from Wayne State University, and later his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While he was a law student he served as an intern for the Honorable George Caram Steeh of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and was an active member of the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Law Moot Court Board of Advocates. Mr. Smalarz also earned the book award in U.S. Securities Regulations. Licensed to practice in the state courts of Michigan, Mr. Smalarz is also admitted to appear before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Michigan. Active in the legal community, Mr. Smalarz participates in the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) and is a past presenter at the ABI’s annual Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, as well as the ABI’s Hon. Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference. Recognized for his accomplishments in the legal profession, Mr. Smalarz has been named a Rising Star in Michigan in the field of Consumer Bankruptcy by Super Lawyers for the years 2013 – 2020.
Areas of Practice Bankruptcy and Insolvency Business Consulting Civil & Commercial Litigation Creditor’s Rights Financial Planning & Restructuring Real Estate Law
Litigation Percentage • 75% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions • Michigan, 2007 • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan • U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
Education • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Detroit, Michigan J.D. – 2007 • State University of New York, Buffalo, New York B.S. cum laude – 2003 Major: Business Administration • Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan M.B.A. – 2006 Major: Master of Business Administration
Representative Cases In re. Combs, 435 B. R. 467 (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2010) In re. Stephenson, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 142360 (E.D. Mich. Dec. 12, 2011) In re. DiMercurio, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 142385 (E.D. Mich. Oct. 2, 2012) Simon v. Miller (In re. Miller Parking Co., LLC), 536 B.R. 197 (E.D. Mich. 2015) Torovich v. Oddo, 2019 Mich. App. LEXIS 367 (Mich. App. March 5, 2019) In re Black, 2014 Bankr. Lexis 682 (US Bankruptcy 2014) Goldstein Bershad & Fried vs Ruskin, 2014 US Dist. Lexis 125428 (US District 2014) Goldstein Bershad & Fried vs Ruskin, 2014 US Dist. Lexis 97485 (US District 2014)
Classes/Seminars • How Courts are Interpreting Schwab v Reilly, 2012 • Riding Through Bankruptcy – Another Look at Section 521 and the Debtor’s Intentions, 2015
Honors and Awards • Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2013 – 2020 • Member, Moot Court Board of Advocates, University of Detroit Mercy • Recipient, Book Award, U.S. Securities Regulation, University of Detroit Mercy
Professional Associations and Memberships • State Bar of Michigan, Member • Federal Bar Association (Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan), • Consumer Bankruptcy Association, Member, 2007 – 2020 • Oakland County Bar Association, Member • American Bankruptcy Institute, Member, 2012 – 2020
Past Employment Positions • Honorable George C. Steeh, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Judicial Intern
Right now, many American consumers are struggling with surging debt. As such, more and more people are filing for bankruptcy and subsequently lessening the previous stigma around it. And with good reason. There are so many reasons one might find themselves in debt that have nothing to do with one’s character. Whatever the case, Americans […]
Are you struggling to make ends meet? Unable to keep up with your debts and getting deeper into a financial hole? Filing for bankruptcy could provide significant help and much needed relief. Filing for bankruptcy can give you a chance to start fresh by eliminating debts that you simply can’t pay. It may also enable creditors […]