Susan M. Cook
Shareholder
Phone: 989.893.3518
Fax: 989.894.2232
scook@lambertleser.com
Practice Areas: Reorganizations, both informal and in bankruptcy; transactions; real property tax appeals
Like her colleagues at Lambert, Leser, Isackson, Cook & Giunta, P.C., Susan Cook focuses on keeping her clients out of the courtroom.
“Litigation should be the last resort,” she says. “It is expensive and time-consuming, pulling company representatives away from their jobs. In every case we take on, we strive to minimize the time and financial resources our clients have to spend achieving their goals.” While this is her primary goal, she has ample experience in the courtroom when a settlement is not possible.
Susan's practice primarily consists of the representation of corporations and individuals in informal reorganizations and bankruptcy proceedings. Ms. Cook has assisted in the reorganization of a wide variety of business entities, including Dow Corning Corporation, Sabreline Transportation, Inc., Wolverine Knitting Mills, Saginaw Osteopathic Hospital, Independence Village, Blue Water Automotive Systems, Inc., and numerous other companies in various fields. In addition, Ms. Cook has represented the interests of numerous tier I and tier II automotive component parts customers and suppliers in the bankruptcy of large automotive suppliers and manufacturers including the proceedings of Chrysler, LLC, Delphi Corporation, Contech U.S., LLC, Plastech Engineered Products, Inc., Hayes Lemmerz, Dana Corporation, Intermet Corporation and Collins & Aikman Corporation. Representative automobile suppliers and customers include Reko Tool International and Linamar Corporation, Mahar Tool Supply Company, Inc. and the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. Ms. Cook was selected to serve on the panel of mediators in the Delphi Corporation Bankruptcy. Ms. Cook has also representated a number of Holiday Inn franchises in Chapter 11 proceedings as well as a large resort with multiple golf and ski operations. Finally, Ms. Cook served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the Michigan Gaming Control Board in the Greektown Casino cases.
Susan and partner Rozanne Giunta are both members of the Facilitative Mediation Panel for the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court. In this role, the two are called upon by attorneys and judges to mediate cases that, if not resolved, would result in lengthy and expensive litigation.
Before joining Lambert Leser, Susan held positions with Whirlpool Corporation that required analysis of financial statements and ratios, and application of that analysis to improving business performance. She developed the ability to evaluate situations and solve problems pragmatically, while carefully considering the costs involved in obtaining desired solutions. Susan's clients benefit from this insight, always going in with a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved.
"My job is to lead my clients toward the most practical, efficient solution for their situation," Susan concludes. "Whether they are structuring a transaction, buying or selling a business, or considering reorganization or bankruptcy, I help them evaluate their situation and set realistic goals. Then we develop a plan of action and move forward together until we get there."
Ms. Cook has received an AV rating by Martindale Hubbell, and was named in the 2006 through 2010 publications of Best Lawyers in America and Law & Politics, and the 2006 through 2010 publications of Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of debtor/creditor rights. In 2010, Ms. Cook was included in the list of Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers for receipt of highest point totals.
You can reach Susan at 989.893.3518 or scook@lambertleser.com.
Michigan Super Lawyer
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts, Alma College, 1971
- Juris Doctor, cum laude, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 1979
- State of Michigan
- U. S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts
of Michigan - U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Bay County Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), including 2003 and 2004 chair of the Educational Program, and 2005 chair of the Advisory Board, for the ABI’s Central States Regional Conference
- Commercial Law League of America (CLLA)
- Federal Bar Association
- Frequent Lecturer on a Variety of Reorganization Topics for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the American Bankruptcy Institute
Community Activities and Associations:
- Bay County Women's Center
- The Bay Area Community Foundation, Women's Philanthropy Circle