Real Estate Law, Landlord-Tenant Relations, Debtor-Creditor Law

Steven J. Cohen is an attorney with more than 35 years of experience representing businesses, creditors, property owners, and individuals in bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, commercial litigation, landlord-tenant matters, and related disputes.

At Swistak Levine, his practice includes representing landlords and property owners in landlord-tenant matters, including nonpayment and termination-of-tenancy proceedings, as well as creditors in bankruptcy and insolvency matters. He also represents businesses and individuals in Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 proceedings and advises clients regarding out-of-court workouts, business wind-downs, asset liquidations, debt restructuring, and other financially distressed situations.

With extensive bankruptcy and creditors’ rights experience, Steve has represented clients in contested bankruptcy proceedings, commercial disputes, collection and enforcement matters, contract disputes, and insolvency-related litigation. His experience includes contested hearings, motion practice, negotiations, settlements, and enforcement proceedings.

Before joining Swistak Levine, Steve was a partner at Lipson Neilson, P.C., where he founded and led the firm’s bankruptcy and creditors’ rights practice. He previously was a founding member of Lieberman & Cohen, PLLC, formerly Lieberman, Gies & Cohen, PLLC, representing individuals and businesses in bankruptcy proceedings, restructuring, insolvency matters, and out-of-court workouts.

Steve earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1988 and his Juris Doctor from the Detroit College of Law in 1991, now known as Michigan State University College of Law. He is admitted to practice in Michigan and Ohio and before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

A frequent lecturer on bankruptcy-related topics, Steve has presented at the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Detroit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference and the Steven Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference, including presentations on student loan dischargeability and bankruptcy litigation. He has also presented to the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants regarding cancellation of indebtedness through bankruptcy and serves as a panel attorney with Access to Bankruptcy Court.

Steve has maintained an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 2001. He has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer in Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law each year since 2010 and was selected as a 2026 DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyer in Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights.

Active in his community, Steve serves as Vice President of the Wabeek Pines Condominium Association and as Sponsorship Chairperson for the South Oakland County Relay For Life. He previously served for four years on the Board of Trustees of Temple Israel.

Steve resides in Bloomfield Hills with his wife, Amy.

Please contact Mr. Cohen at scohen@swistaklevine.com.