Atty. J. Michael Fields
Michael leads the Health Care practice. He counsels physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers on regulatory, compliance, and transactional matters.
Banking And Finance Law & More Attorney · Serving Greenville, NC · 35+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About J. Michael Fields at a Glance
J. Michael Fields is a business and bankruptcy attorney based in Greenville, North Carolina, practicing at Ward and Smith PA. They have 35+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1991. Admitted to practice in North Carolina (1991) and Georgia (2015). Educated at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1991) and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.S., 1988). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in Greenville, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About J. Michael Fields
- Michael leads the Health Care practice
- He counsels physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers on regulatory, compliance, and transactional matters
- He represents all types of closely-held businesses and their owners on such issues as the formation of business entities, financing transactions, and the merger, acquisition, and sale of businesses
- Additionally, Michael advises banks, automobile and tractor finance companies, shopping center owners, homeowners' associations, and suppliers in the agricultural and construction industries on financing transactions, workouts, bankruptcies, foreclosures, and collections
- His bankruptcy practice is focused on the representation of creditors in contested plan confirmation, relief from stay, cash collateral, lease assumption and assignment, fraudulent transfer, and preference litigation
- Michael also provides mediation services in bankruptcy cases
- His mediation training includes the acclaimed 40-hour American Bankruptcy Institute/St
- John’s University School of Law Bankruptcy Mediation Training Program held in New York
- He has been rated by his peers as "preeminent" in his respective fields of law
Practice Areas Explained
J. Michael Fields's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases J. Michael Fields handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Greenville.
Business & Corporate Law in Greenville
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
J. Michael Fields is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in North Carolina →
Bankruptcy & Debt in Greenville
A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
J. Michael Fields is one of 104,458 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in North Carolina →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Greenville
Practicing law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Greenville are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Greenville Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Greenville-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Greenville or all attorneys in North Carolina.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Greenville Choose J. Michael Fields
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish J. Michael Fields's practice in the field of business and bankruptcy.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
J. Michael Fields brings 35+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in North Carolina and Georgia, J. Michael Fields can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business and bankruptcy, J. Michael Fields can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Greenville
A Greenville-based practice means J. Michael Fields attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues J. Michael Fields Handles in Greenville
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters J. Michael Fields has experience with under North Carolina law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact J. Michael Fields directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find J. Michael Fields Online
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J. Michael Fields's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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