Michael G. Cortina

Mike is the attorney to call for banks across the Midwest. He has extensive experience representing banks in various types of litigation, including but not limited to: uniform commercial code, automobile dealership cases, personal guaranties, foreclosures, check alterations, fraud, replevins, collections, bankruptcy adversary proceedings, and priority disputes. He also advises bank clients on operations matters, such as how to respond to a subpoena for a customer’s accounts, a non-wage garnishment of an account, or a federal grand jury subpoena for customer information.

Mike represents creditors in all types of matters pertaining to the United States Bankruptcy Code. In representing the interests of his clients in bankruptcy court, Mike has run the gamut by doing everything from filing a proof of claim to suing and defending in adversary proceedings to seeking revocation of a debtor’s discharge due to fraud.  He even represented a creditor in a rare Chapter 9 (municipal) bankruptcy that was filed in Illinois, and successfully obtained dismissal of that case. 

A well-rounded banking attorney, Mike drafts, edits and reviews loan documents for all types of matters. Mike drafts complete document packages for multi-million dollar loans, reviews existing documents for legal sufficiency, provides attorney approval for loans, and consults on pending loans. He negotiates and drafts transactional documents for real estate purchases and sales, real estate financing, and easements. He also handles litigation for real estate disputes, including foreclosures, mechanics liens, priority disputes, easements, trespass, zoning disputes, and eminent domain.

Mike is also a private pilot who negotiates and drafts loan documentation for aircraft, including business jets, private jets, turbo props and single-engine planes. He is well versed in Part 91, Part 135, and the other Federal Aviation Regulations.   

As co-chair of the firm’s financial services group, Mike oversees a team providing financial institutions with advice and representation on transactional and litigation matters throughout each of the firm’s seven offices.

A strong community is built on the notion that the members of that community invest and give back to one another. To that end, Mike is an active member of the Lions Club, a global leader in community and humanitarian services.

• Selected by the Leading Lawyers Network as "Leading Lawyer" in Commercial Litigation, ADR Law: Commercial Litigation, and Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections Law
• Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Presidential Award of Excellence: 2016-2017 
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated
• Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers List of Rising Stars: 2008, 2009

• Member: American Bar Association; Illinois Creditors Bar Association; McHenry County Bar Association; Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois
• Board of Directors: Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce 
• Crystal Lake Lions Club: Melvin Jones Fellow (2013); President (2008 - 2009); 1st Vice President (2007 - 2008)
• Illinois State Bar Association: Assembly for the 22^nd Circuit; Member, Real Estate Law Section Council (2014 - 2016); Past Chair, Commercial Banking, Collections and Bankruptcy Section Council (2012 - 2013); Standing Committee on Judicial Advisory Polls (2017 - 2021); Bench and Bar Section Council (2018 - 2021); NIU College of Law Alumni Council (2020-2022)

• Obtained dismissal with prejudice after the plaintiff sought over $250,000, arguing that the plaintiff lacked standing to sue because they were not a proper party to the case
• Obtained summary judgment in a fraudulent transfer case, which was sustained on appeal, and the favorable judgment entered included interest, costs and attorneys’ fees
• Obtained a $1,000,000.00 judgment for a client despite vigorous defense by defendant that included arguments that the plaintiff lacked standing, and that the instrument proving the indebtedness lacked authentication