Mr. Fink, a Partner with Lippes Mathias and Co-Leader of the firm’s Financial Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Team, focuses his practice on representing clients in financial reorganization, restructuring and insolvency matters as well as in litigation matters and financial services. He has represented a variety of clients in these types of matters, including private financial organizations, banking institutions, equity funds, secured creditors, lessors and lessees of equipment and real estate, franchisers and franchisees, health care facilities, agricultural lenders, various business enterprises, as well as business owners involved in internal disputes. With more than three decades of experience, he has represented corporate clients in various stages of development and has earned a reputation for designing creative and effective business strategies. He is also an experienced mediator/arbitrator and a Part 36 certified court receiver.

Mr. Fink is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs sponsored by the New York State Bar Association and the Bar Association of Erie County, and also at in-house seminars for clients.

His experience includes:
  • Representation of Senior Continuing Care Retirement Community in chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.
  • Representation of air freight forwarder in chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.
  • Representation of asset purchasers in large national chapter 11 case.
  • Representation of automobile dealerships in General Motors and Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Representation of retired officers in chapter 11 proceedings Mark IV Industries.
  • Representation of mortgage holders in large, complex commercial foreclosures and restructuring of significant commercial mortgage loans.
  • Representation of Creditors Committee in Laidlaw chapter 11 proceedings.
  • Represented a chapter 11 trustee in a complex proceeding involving the closure and potential expansion of a non-hazardous municipal waste landfill.
  • Representing numerous secured creditors and equipment lessors in a variety of workouts and bankruptcy matters, including several large national/international banking institutions.
  • Representing secured lenders in significant national bankruptcy proceedings, including the cases of The Bennett Funding Groups, et al., C.I.S. Corporation, et al., First Republic Bancorp et al., Peter J. Schmidt et al., and Columbia Gas Transmission Company, et al.
  • Prosecuting and defending complex litigation concerning fraudulent conveyances and preferential transfers.
  • Representation of business owners in internal disputes, including litigation concerning valuation of ownership interests.



ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
  • New York

Education
  • University of Toledo, College of Law, J.D., 1977
  • University at Buffalo, B.A., 1975

Professional Associations
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Bankruptcy Law Section
  • Business Corporate Law Committee
  • American Bankruptcy Institute

Community Involvement
  • Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, Inc., President, 2015-2017
  • Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo, Inc., Board of Directors, Former Board of Directors President, 2003-2005
  • Court Certified Mediator
  • Certified Receiver

Past Activities
  • Attorney Grievance Committee for the Eighth Judicial District, Former Member
  • Bar Association of Erie County, Former President, 1994-1995
  • Former Board Member, Bar Association of Erie County, 1987-1990
  • Bar Association of Erie County, Committee on Commercial and Bankruptcy Law, Former Chair, 1985-1987

Honors & Awards
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2012-2022, 2024
    • "Lawyer of the Year" Litigation-Bankruptcy, Buffalo, 2012, 2016, 2021
    •  "Lawyer of the Year” Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Buffalo, 2015
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Buffalo Business First’s Legal Elite of Western New York, 2015
  • Business First of Buffalo/Buffalo Law Journal, Who's Who in Law, 2004, 2006-2007, 2010-2012
  • Upstate New York Super Lawyers®, 2013-2023
This website uses cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze traffic. To learn more about cookies and how we use them, please review our Privacy Policy. To continue use of this website, you must provide your consent to its use of cookies by clicking the "Accept" button.