Practice areas: Business Litigation, Bankruptcy, Creditor Debtor Rights; view more
Licensed in Minnesota since: 2018
Education: Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2026 Call today:
612-473-1240
Free Consultation Messerli | Kramer
50 South 6th StSuite 2300
Minneapolis, MN 55402 Visit website
Bankruptcy attorney David M. Tanabe works under Messerli | Kramer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Serving clients in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota, he handles cases involving business litigation, creditors’ remedies, equipment leasing and finance, commercial litigation and debtor-creditor rights. Furthermore, he works closely with transactional lawyers on matters including asset sales, financing, real estate purchases and sales, commercial leasing and workouts.
After graduating from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in business, Mr. Tanabe joined the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he earned his J.D. in 2018. In the same year, he was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar Association. He also earned his license to practice in North Dakota in 2024. Furthermore, he is permitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Aside from trials, Mr. Tanabe is involved with the Bankruptcy Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. He also participates in the Turnaround Management Association, the Secured Finance Network and the American Bankruptcy Association, reflecting his dedication to his profession and his commitment to offering current, quality service to clients. A passionate supporter of local athletics and education, he serves on the Hobey Baker Award Committee and the World Juniors Hockey Advisory Council of Minnesota Sports and Events.
Additionally, Mr. Tanabe contributes to the professional development of his peers as a faculty member and a planning committee member at the Bankruptcy Institute for Minnesota CLE. He was named to the 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America list and was a recipient of the Blackshear American College of Bankruptcy Presidential Fellowship by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. In 2022, his contributions as a pro bono lawyer were recognized with the North Star Lawyer Award by the Minnesota State Bar Association.
David M. Tanabe is a debt relief agent. He helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
Practice areas
Business Litigation, Bankruptcy: Business, Creditor Debtor Rights: Business, Business/CorporateFocus areas
Bankruptcy Law
- 40% Business Litigation
- 30% Bankruptcy: Business
- 20% Creditor Debtor Rights: Business
- 10% Business/Corporate
First Admitted: 2018, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: https://messerlikramer.com/professional/david-tanabe/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association
- Turnaround Management Association
- Minnesota CLE Bankruptcy Institute, Planning Committee Member
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section, Governing Council Member
- Secured Finance Network
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section, Chair (2025-2026)
Pro bono / Community Service
- Minnesota Sports and Events, World Juniors Hockey Advisory Council
- Bankruptcy Institute for Minnesota CLE, Faculty and Planning Committee Member
- Hobey Baker Award Committee, Member
Honors
- North Star Lawyer (pro bono service), Minnesota State Bar Association, 2022
- Blackshear American College of Bankruptcy Presidential Fellowship, National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, 2022
- Recognized Lawyer, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, 2026
Educational Background
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, B.S., Business, 2012
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Co-Presenter, “2022 Case Law and Statutory Update” – 2022 Bankruptcy Institute, Minnesota CLE, October 2022
- Co-Presenter, “The In Pari Delicto Defense: The Application and Evolution of the Doctrine in Ponzi Schemes and Insolvency” – 2023 Bankruptcy Institute, Minnesota CLE, October 2023
- Co-Presenter, “2023 Case Law and Statutory Update” – 2023 Bankruptcy Institute, Minnesota CLE, October 2023
- Co-Presenter, “2024 Case Law and Statutory Update” – 2024 Bankruptcy Institute, Minnesota CLE, October 2024
- Guest, “Party in Interest” Podcast – American Bankruptcy Institute, February 2024
- Co-Presenter, “2025 Case Law and Statutory Update” – 2025 Bankruptcy Institute, Minnesota CLE, October 2025
- Author, “Enforcing Motion to Dismiss Deadlines in Subchapter V Cases” – American Bankruptcy Institute, July 2022
- Author, “Conversion and Dismissal of Cases” – Minnesota CLE, November 2022
- Contributing Author, “Global Insolvency Chapter 15 Database” – American Bankruptcy Institute
- Author, “Workouts” – Minnesota CLE, November 2024
- Co-Editor-in-Chief, Bankruptcy Bulletin – Minnesota State Bar Association
Office location for David M. Tanabe
50 South 6th St
Suite 2300
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612-473-1240
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2026
