Don’t Let Your Lawyer’s AI Problem Become Yours
April 21, 2026
Michael H. Weaver
Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Attorney
T 803.766.6625
F 803.766.4611
E mhweaver@wardandsmith.com
O Columbia, SC
Practice Areas:
Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy Litigation, Business, Commercial Receiverships, Foreclosures, Nonprofit Organizations, SBA Loan Liquidation, Workouts and Restructuring
Michael is a South Carolina attorney who advises clients on creditors’ rights and bankruptcy matters, commercial transactions, and board governance issues. His practice encompasses debt collection and enforcement, bankruptcy proceedings, commercial litigation, corporate transactions, and board governance matters, providing clients with a trusted advisor who understands how these interconnected areas impact their business objectives.
When lenders and creditors face challenging collection scenarios, Michael develops strategic approaches that maximize recovery while minimizing risk. He guides clients through complex debt workouts, foreclosures, receiverships, UCC sales, evictions, and post-judgment enforcement, always focusing on practical solutions that protect his clients’ interests.
Michael has experience representing creditors, debtors, landlords, creditors’ committees, trustees, and other interested parties in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 bankruptcy cases. In addition, he has experience prosecuting and defending against fraudulent transfer and preferential transfer claims and represents clients in other bankruptcy litigation including dischargeability of debt and automatic stay violation matters. Outside of bankruptcy court, Michael also has experience representing court-appointed receivers.
On the corporate side, Michael assists clients with business acquisitions and divestitures and advises boards of directors on general corporate, fiduciary duty, and governance matters.
Michael is the founding attorney in the firm’s Columbia, South Carolina office.
Honors and Distinctions
- “Lawyer of the Year,” Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Restructuring Law, The Best Lawyers in America, 2022, 2026
- “Best Lawyer,” Litigation – Bankruptcy, The Best Lawyers in America, 2015-2026
- “Legal Elite,” Greenville Business Magazine, 2021, 2024, 2025
- “20 Under 40,” The State, 2017
- “Super Lawyer,” South Carolina Super Lawyers, 2014-2022
- “Volunteer of the Year Award,” United Way, 2017
- Leadership South Carolina, Class of 2017
- Leadership Columbia, Class of 2011
- J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law, 2004
- B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2000
- South Carolina Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- South Carolina Bankruptcy Law Association
- J. Bratton Davis American Bankruptcy Inn of Court
- Midlands Business Leadership Group, Board Member (2016 – 2025)
- Bratton Davis Bankruptcy American Inn of Court, Board Member / Secretary (2021-2024)
- South Carolina, 2004
- United States Bankruptcy Court, District of South Carolina, 2005
- United States District Court, District of South Carolina, 2005
My motto: “Leave it better than you found it,” is something that my grandmother used to say. She probably told me that in an effort to ensure I cleaned up after myself around the house, but I apply it more broadly now. We all have a finite time on this Earth, so if we spend that time working to improve things in our personal lives, in our communities, and at work, we will have left things better than we found them, and our time here will have been well spent.
What I admire most about my clients… Their genuineness and results-oriented approach to solving problems.
I became a lawyer because… I wanted to help people solve problems, and our form of government and the rule of law always intrigued me. In the 5th Grade, my teacher gave our class an assignment to write an autobiography of ourselves. The last page started, “I became a…” and you were supposed to draw whatever it is you were to become. I said “a lawyer” and drew a stick figure holding a briefcase (I was no artist!). I forgot all about that assignment until the day I graduated from law school. My mom wrapped it up and gave it to me as a graduation gift. It is one of my all-time favorite gifts.
One surprising thing people don’t know about me is… I am not fond of elevators.
Where I’d most like to live and why: Italy. The scenery and food there is tough to beat.
My favorite place to be is… A deer stand.
If I could only eat one thing forever, it would be… Cheese. I married a girl from Wisconsin, so it is now a household staple.
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