Michael L. Cummings

michael@esb-law.com

Born Inglewood, California 1959;  Admitted to bar 1995 (Illinois);

Preparatory Education: Northern Illinois University of Illinois  (B.A. Political Science, Minors in International Relations and Economics, 1984)

Legal Education and Admissions:  Attended IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, (Graduate, 1995).  Admitted to Illinois Bar, Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin.

Associations and Membership:  Mr. Cummings has been a member of the American Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association.

Legal Practice and Background:  Mr. Cummings is an associate in the law firm EMALFARB, SWAN & BAIN, where he practices in the area of construction law, concentrating on securing client's receivables through mechanic's lien and payment bond claims.  He has prevailed against sureties asserting the "pay when paid" defense, obtaining court rulings holding that the defense is invalid and against public policy.  He continues to build on his past bankruptcy and government contracts experience, in addition to keeping the firm up to date on the lien and bond law changes for the various states and updating the firm's 50 State Lien and Bond Law Guide. He has won substantial summary judgments against the "pay when paid" defense.  He continues to build on his past bankruptcy and government contracts experience, in addition to keeping the firm up to date on the lien and bond law changes for the various states. Prior to joining ESB, Michael was a writer with CCH Incorporated, in their Government Contracts department.  While at CCH, he tracked and analyzed changes in the Federal Acquisition Regulation and its Supplements.  He also read, analyzed and reported on decisions from the various Boards of Contract Appeals, protest decisions from the Comptroller General, and government contracts cases from the Court of Federal Claims and other federal courts.  In addition, Michael served as the Editor of the Cost Accounting Standards Guide and the Guide to Government Contracting.