Overview
Scott Chernich's practice areas include representing numerous financial institutions including community banks and credit unions and Chapter 11, 7 and 13 bankruptcy as well as commercial litigation and construction law. Recently, Scott has successfully resolved several insolvent probate estates and has assisted financially challenged agribusinesses. In 2003, Scott was appointed as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee by the U.S. Justice Department and in 2020 appointed as a Subchapter V Chapter 11 Trustee. While he spends a significant portion of his time representing creditors in prosecuting claims and recovering collateral, he also has significant experience as a debtor's lawyer and as a trustee. As a result, he offers clients (businesses and individuals) a perspective that includes familiarity with common strategies for all sides and the ability to spot and resolve issues early in the process.
Scott is very involved in several professional associations, including the American Bankruptcy Institute and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees and served in numerous leadership roles in the Lansing community. He was also a popular adjunct professor of Bankruptcy at his alma mater, Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School for 12 years.
Scott is also involved in firm management, serving several terms on Foster Swift's Executive Committee, acting as the first Treasurer for six-plus years. For several years previous, Scott was the practice group leader for the firm’s Finance, Real Estate & Bankruptcy section.
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America® - (Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law), 2010-2025
Best Lawyers in America® - Banking and Finance Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Lansing, 2015
Practice Areas
Education
Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 1993, cum laude
Shippensburg University, M.I.M., 1986
Shippensburg University, B.S., 1984
Bar and Court Admissions
Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals