Practice Areas
Education
J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law (2002)
- Dean's Honor List
B.A., cum laude, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (1999)
Admissions
- Ohio Supreme Court
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Michael R. Proctor
Michael Proctor practices in the construction, banking, bankruptcy/creditor’s rights and litigation practice groups of Bowles Rice. He represents individuals and business clients in a variety of matters in and out of court throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
Since graduating law school in 2002, Mike has developed a diverse practice throughout the region, with experience that includes litigating contractual disputes in the construction, banking, insurance and real estate industries; representing creditors in bankruptcy; representing tenants and landlords in commercial lease agreements; preparing loan modification agreements; and advising clients on compliance with federal procurement regulations.
Mike’s litigation experience includes representing manufacturers in trade disputes with vendors and subcontractors; construction defect claims; litigating disputes related to sales of insurance policies; perfecting and defending mechanics' lien claims; and representing a university in a natural gas production dispute. He has also successfully defended lenders against claims that they improperly negotiated checks under Article 3 of the UCC and in lien priority disputes arising under the Article 9 of the UCC.
Mike’s bankruptcy experience includes proof of claim and automatic stay litigation; preferential transfer litigation; and nondischargeability claims, as well as 363 sales and post-petition financing arrangements.
Mike has also assisted veterans on a pro bono basis in procurement of Veteran’s Administration benefits, and in serving as a VA fiduciary and Social Security representative payee.
Professional Highlights
- Chair, Local Rules Advisory Committee, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
- West Virginia Bankruptcy Bench-Bar CLE Committee Member
-
Bankruptcy and Commercial Law CLE Presenter
Representative Decisions:
- United States v. Scherer, No. 2:19-CV-03634, 2023 WL 4539704 (S.D. Ohio July 11, 2023)
- O'Keefe v. Rustic Ravines, LLC, No. 22CV1178, 2023 WL 2602071 (W.D. Pa. Mar. 22, 2023)
- Blon v. Royal Flush, Inc., 2022-Ohio-1958; 191 N.E.3d 505 (Ohio App. 7th Dist.)
- In re Riffe, No. 5:17-BK-50266, 2018 WL 3788973 (Bankr. S.D.W. Va. Aug. 6, 2018)
- Griffith v. BCBank, Inc., No. 16-0460, 2017 WL 1347703 (W. Va. Apr. 7, 2017)
- Roberts v. Roberts, 639 F. App'x 951 (4th Cir. 2016)
- Trawick Constr. Co., LLC Mod. Cable Tech., Inc. v. K&D Constr., Inc., No. 2:16-CV-24, 2016 WL 4290176 (N.D.W. Va. Aug. 15, 2016)
News
- Best Lawyers in America®, August 20, 2020
- August 15, 2019
- April 16, 2018
Articles & Alerts
- March 27, 2020
- Pennsylvania Banker, Quarter 1 | Volume 21.1 | 2019
- Bowles Rice e-Alert, February 12, 2019
Blog Posts
Professional Affiliations
- American Subcontractors Association of Western Pennsylvania
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Pennsylvania
- Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh
- Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE)
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
- Society of American Military Engineers
- Washington County Bar Association
- Board of Directors Member
- Public Education & Relations Committee Member
- West Virginia State Bar Association
Community/Civic Activities
- North Strabane Township Zoning Hearing Board, Secretary
- North Strabane Township Municipal Authority Board (former)
- Washington County Bar Association, Board of Directors
- Court appointed arbitrator
- Pro bono assistance before the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons
- Pro bono assistance before the Veteran’s Administration
- Pro bono assistance before the Social Security Administration
- Youth flag football and basketball coach