About Michael Baumer

Michael has practiced bankruptcy law almost exclusively for over 35 years, beginning at a bankruptcy firm while still in law school. He has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1984, and has been board certified in both consumer and business bankruptcy law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1998 – he is one of about 50 attorneys to have both certifications. He has assisted in drafting legislation, including the Texas law that protects retirement accounts from creditors. In addition, he served five terms as president of the Austin Bankruptcy Bar Association and served on its governing council for over 15 years. He is a frequent speaker on bankruptcy-related topics.

Michael worked at a large downtown Austin firm for ten years where he represented creditors and the federal government in bankruptcy cases. He started his own practice in 1997 focusing on debtor representation.

Michael grew up in Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and Delaware before finally landing in Texas when he was 13. He paid for college by working in construction, at a refinery in Port Arthur and at a shipyard in Orange, Texas, and then as a grocery store manager (which was considerably less messy). He has one son, who is in the US Navy.