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Peter C. Bolton

Practice Lead — Automotive & Supply Chain
Practice Lead — Finance

Experience:
29 Years
Location:
Troy, MI
Admissions:
Michigan & Federal Court

About Pete

Peter C. Bolton is Practice Lead for Automotive & Supply Chain and Finance at Wolfson Bolton Kochis. He has a diverse national business law practice focused on purchasing and supply chain management, finance, and mergers and acquisitions—particularly in distressed scenarios. Drawing on significant experience across the financial and automotive industries, Pete counsels original equipment manufacturers, automotive suppliers, lenders, private equity groups, family offices, and publicly and privately held businesses on complex commercial matters.

Pete advises debtors and creditors on bankruptcy and insolvency issues, including continuity-of-supply strategies involving non-performing, financially distressed, or bankrupt automotive and other suppliers. He also represents buyers and stakeholders in acquiring assets through receivership, bankruptcy sales under § 363, and Article 9 sales, and he serves as outside general counsel for many clients, counseling them on purchase order terms and conditions and other contractual matters. Related practices include Automotive & Supply Chain, Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Corporate Bankruptcy & Restructuring.

Awards & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America® (2016-2018, 2021, 2023-2026)

Michigan Super Lawyers (2012, 2020-2026)

When to Contact Pete

Experience & Focus Areas

Automotive & supply chain counseling

  • Purchasing and supply chain management counseling for OEMs and suppliers
  • Continuity-of-supply strategy when a supplier is distressed, non-performing, or bankrupt (related: Automotive & Supply Chain)
  • Practical risk-management guidance informed by his role as the global supplier risk manager for a tier one automotive supplier


Finance, workouts, and restructuring

  • Representation of major corporations, including financial institutions, in multi-million-dollar business disputes (related: Litigation)
  • Loan workouts, restructurings, and enforcement strategy in distressed situations (related: Finance)
  • Counseling debtors and creditors on bankruptcy and insolvency-related issues (related: Corporate Bankruptcy & Restructuring)


Distressed M&A and asset purchases

  • Asset purchases out of receivership and insolvency proceedings
  • Bankruptcy asset acquisitions pursuant to § 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (related: Corporate Bankruptcy & Restructuring)
  • Asset purchases through Article 9 sales and other distressed transaction pathways (related: Mergers & Acquisitions)


Mergers & acquisitions and private capital transactions


Common issues Pete is brought in to address

  • A key supplier is failing and continuity-of-supply needs to be protected
  • A company is pursuing a distressed buy-side opportunity (363/receivership/Article 9)
  • A lender or borrower needs a path through a workout or restructure
  • A dispute involves complex commercial exposure and business-critical outcomes
  • A business wants outside general counsel support with practical, industry-informed guidance
  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law — J.D., Summa Cum Laude; Associate Editor, Law Review

  • Michigan State University — B.A., Financial Administration; Highest Honors

Selected Publications

Selected Presentation

  • “Asset Purchases in Distressed Situations,” University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (March 7, 2011)
  • Turnaround Management Association

  • Shrine Catholic Schools Unified School Board, Past Chiarperson
  • NBD Bank / First Chicago Capital Markets — Commercial Lender (1990–1995); Director, Syndications Department (1995–1997)

  • Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP — Associate (1997–2001); Partner (2002–2005)

  • Foley & Lardner LLP — Associate (2001–2002)

  • Compliance Systems, Inc. — Lending Product Manager/Team Leader (2005–2007)

  • Visteon Corporation — Associate Director, Global Supplier Risk Management (2007–2009)

Recent News & Articles

Bar Admissions