Expertise.com

Best Bankruptcy Attorneys in Oakland

Laurels
2023
Laurels

We did the research for you!

Learn more
  • checkboxLicensing
  • checkboxUser Reviews
  • checkboxMystery Shopping Calls

Bankruptcy Attorneys FAQs

Learn more
FREE

Expertise.com Concierge

Let us do the work for you!

Share your needs with our Concierge team, and they'll book you with our best available top-ranked service providers!

California Bankruptcy Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

California Bankruptcy Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
4040 Civic Center Drive Suite 200, San Rafael, CA 94903
  • Debt Settlement

Business Description

California Bankruptcy Law represents consumers in Oakland and nearby locations. Its attorney, Malcolm Ruthven, helps clients stop foreclosures and lawsuits through bankruptcy filings. He guides them through the process of filing for chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy. The former discharges debts, while the latter allows clients to settle debts in multi-year repayment plans. He also offers online resources for clients seeking to restore their credit. Ruthven is a recipient of the Wiley M. Manuel Award from the State Bar of California.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (15)
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Courson Law - Bankruptcy logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Courson Law - Bankruptcy

Visit WebsiteWebsite
584 Castro Street #216, San Francisco, CA 94114
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Business Description

Courson Law - Bankruptcy is a private practice that caters to individuals and businesses in Oakland. The firm helps its clients eliminate their debts and restructure their finances by filing for chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy. Principal attorney Marty Courson, who has over 20 years of experience as a bankruptcy attorney, has successfully discharged debts and obtained plan confirmation on behalf of his clients. He is able to prepare and execute cases through text, fax, email, or USPS mail as an electronic filer of the Bankruptcy Court.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (23)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)
Darya Sara Druch Attorney at Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Darya Sara Druch Attorney at Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
1305 Franklin Street, Suite 210, Oakland, CA 94612
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Business Description

Darya Sara Druch Attorney at Law provides legal assistance to individuals, families, and business entities in Oakland. The office's main attorney, Darya Sara Druch, helps clients file chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcies to allow for the elimination of unsecured debts and the restructuring of payments. She also handles bankruptcy litigation to defend individuals from fraudulent claims and student loan discharge attempts resulting from disabilities. Druch has been serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1988.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (30)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (13)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Downey Brand LLP logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Downey Brand LLP

Visit WebsiteWebsite
455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
  • Debt Settlement

Business Description

Downey Brand LLP offers a full range of legal services for Oakland residents. Included in its practice areas is bankruptcy law. The firm's team of bankruptcy lawyers provides legal representation for debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, trustees, and asset purchasers in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Some of the clients that the company has represented in bankruptcy court are Farm Credit West, Textron Financial, and Met Life. Attorneys at the company are members of the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.0 / 5 (7)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Finkel Law Group logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Finkel Law Group

Visit WebsiteWebsite
1999 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612
  • Debt Settlement
  • IRS Tax Debt

Business Description

Oakland-based Finkel Law Group is comprised of experience attorneys specializing in bankruptcy. Its attorneys handle liquidations, restructurings, and reorganizations. The bankruptcy law firm is led by attorneys Lonnie Finkel, Hugh Greenup, and Ruth Auerbach. It also deals with business litigations, arbitrations, mediation, and regulatory matters for landlords, creditors, equity holders, and business directors. Other areas of practice include intellectual property, real estate, acquisitions, and corporate finance. Emerging companies can receive representation and advice on business plans, financing resources, accounting, and human resources.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Grech Legal logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Grech Legal

Visit WebsiteWebsite
1300 Clay Street, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94612
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Business Description

Grech Legal serves individuals struggling with debt in Oakland. It offers guidance and representation for chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcy cases. Sole Practitioner Matthew G. Grech assists with debt consolidation and helps stop creditor harassment, wage garnishments, bank levies, and car repossessions. He also represents clients in Mortgage Modification Mediation Programs to avoid foreclosure. Grech has been in legal practice since 2007 and is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. He also caters to estate planning, probate, and estate administration needs.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (76)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (10)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Lacavalaw logo

Lacavalaw

3814 24th St, Suite 202, San Francisco, CA 94114
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Business Description

Lacavalaw is a bankruptcy law firm that has been serving individuals and small businesses in and around Oakland for over 25 years. It assists clients with various types of debts, including secured, unsecured, priority, and special types of debts. It represents clients before the bankruptcy courts and creditors. It completes and submits petitions and court filings and responds to creditors on behalf of its clients. Lacavalaw has filed same-day bankruptcies, helping clients stop a foreclosure sale, a withholding, or a garnishment. Its staff also speaks Spanish.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.7 / 5 (14)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Law Office of Jeff D. Hoffman logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Law Office of Jeff D. Hoffman

Visit WebsiteWebsite
825 Washington Street Suite 330o, Oakland, CA 94607
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Credit Card Debt
  • Debt Settlement

Business Description

The Law Office of Jeff D. Hoffman, located in Oakland, California, has been helping Bay Area residents with bankruptcy matters since 2008. Mr. Hoffman and his staff work with clients seeking bankruptcy protection through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 proceedings. He strives to help clients prevent foreclosure, repossession, and wage garnishment while fending off creditor harassment while waiting for relief from the courts. The practice also counsels clients on rebuilding their credit post-bankruptcy.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (30)
Google
5.0 / 5 (18)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Law Offices of Deon Sailes logo

Law Offices of Deon Sailes

3911 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94611
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Business Description

The Law Offices of Deon Sailes is a private bankruptcy practice that serves individuals and businesses in Oakland and the surrounding areas. It provides chapter 7 bankruptcy assistance for debtors struggling with medical bills, personal loans, and credit card debt. It also helps debtors stop foreclosure, lender harassment, and creditor calls through filing for chapter 13 bankruptcy. Principal attorney Deontenise Sailes has been practicing law for more than 15 years. She also offers debtor education and financial management services.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Law Offices of Geva Baumer logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Law Offices of Geva Baumer

Visit WebsiteWebsite
1904 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Business Description

The Law Offices of Geva Baumer is a bankruptcy law firm that serves business entities and individuals in Oakland. The firm's owner and bankruptcy attorney, Geva Baumer, has been handling bankruptcy cases for over two decades. Baumer is knowledgeable in filing for chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy, dealing with complex proceedings and loan modifications. The bankruptcy process puts a stop to eviction, lawsuit, foreclosure, vehicle repossession, creditors' harassment, and bank levy.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (8)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (7)
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Law Offices of Marta M. Guzman logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Law Offices of Marta M. Guzman

Visit WebsiteWebsite
125 - 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94605
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Creditor Representation

Business Description

The Law Offices of Marta M. Guzman is an Oakland-based bankruptcy firm that has been serving individuals and businesses since 2002. Its services include representing clients in chapters 7, 13, and 11 proceedings. It also helps protect creditors' rights in bankruptcy litigation cases. Its attorney, Marta M. Guzman, has been in the bankruptcy legal practice for 21 years. She offers bankruptcy alternatives, and she identifies the bankruptcy chapter most appropriate for helping clients to live a debt-free life.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (4)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)
Sheppard Mullin logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Sheppard Mullin

Visit WebsiteWebsite
San Francisco, CA 94111
  • Credit Card Debt

Business Description

Sheppard Mullin is a bankruptcy law firm serving individuals and businesses throughout Oakland. Bankruptcy and restructuring are key elements of the firm's practice, which it offers to clients struggling with their finances. The firm's lawyers are committed to prioritizing clients and their best interests, working closely with them to build a relationship where they can easily understand the clients' needs. They explore all possible options and present the most viable one that can give quality results.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.5 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
The Cline Law Group logo

The Cline Law Group

1970 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Business Description

The Cline Law Group is a bankruptcy law firm that is located in Oakland. The firm has been dealing with various bankruptcy-related matters, primarily focusing on chapters 7 and 13 representation for almost 40 years. It assists in ending collection actions and creditor harassment such as vehicle repossessions and wage garnishments. The firm's bankruptcy attorney, Max Cline, received a Special Recognition Award for Fighting for the Rights of Consumer Debtors.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (19)
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
The LaVelle Law Offices logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

The LaVelle Law Offices

Visit WebsiteWebsite
505 14th St Suite 900, Oakland, CA 94612
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Business Description

The LaVelle Law Offices helps clients in Oakland with their bankruptcy cases. The firm handles chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcy petitions, assisting individuals to recover from their bad financial situations. In addition to bankruptcy law, the practice deals with estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, contract formation, and business dissolution. Colby LaVelle manages the firm. He fiercely advocates for clients’ legal rights and conducts consultations to discuss their cases. LaVelle began his legal career working at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (14)
Justia
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
The Law Offices of Lin & Wood logo

The Law Offices of Lin & Wood

1300 Clay St Ste 600, Oakland, CA 94612
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Credit Card Debt
  • IRS Tax Debt

Business Description

The Law Offices of Lin & Wood in Oakland, California, is a consumer bankruptcy law firm serving the entire Bay area. Founded in 2010, it has additional offices in San Francisco, San Jose, and Redwood City. The practice is dedicated to affordability and facilitating the best bankruptcy experience for its clients throughout Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. The firm also has experience in probate, judgment enforcement, and estate planning matters.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (10)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
The Law Offices of Stan E. Riddle logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

The Law Offices of Stan E. Riddle

Visit WebsiteWebsite
3150 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806
  • Credit Card Debt

Business Description

The Law Offices of Stan E. Riddle is a full-service law firm assisting communities in Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area. It offers personalized legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses undergoing bankruptcy, assisting them with chapter 7 or 13 filing. The firm is also experienced in corporate formation, real estate transactions, regulatory compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. Stan Riddle has been practicing law in California for more than 17 years. He is a legislative assistant to the U.S. Congressional Representative in Washington DC.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (7)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does a bankruptcy attorney do?

    Bankruptcy attorneys help clients understand whether they qualify for bankruptcy and what their best options are. They also prepare and file petitions, answer questions during the proceedings, and educate clients about potential best steps for a positive bankruptcy outcome. Bankruptcy attorneys might also file motions or paperwork if creditors dispute the bankruptcy, or to stop creditors from taking collections actions forbidden by the bankruptcy.

  • What happens when you file bankruptcy?

    Bankruptcy is a formal process that individuals, married couples, or businesses can enact when they are no longer able to pay creditors. In a bankruptcy proceeding, filers are allowed to reduce debt to more manageable levels to best pay off money owed.

    Once the bankruptcy process is initiated, debt collectors can no longer seek repayments outside of the arrangements detailed in the bankruptcy settlement. Some forms of bankruptcy result in the liquidation of assets to pay back debts, while others allow filers to retain most of their possessions and investments. Many types of unsecured debt can be managed with bankruptcy filings, but not all.

  • Can you file bankruptcy on student loans?

    Under most circumstances, student loans aren't dischargeable and aren't included in bankruptcy proceedings. In rare cases, it may be possible to eliminate student loans through bankruptcy, but only if the courts determine that continuing to pay the loans would impose an undue hardship. Meeting the criteria for undue hardship is challenging, and most bankruptcy filers don't qualify.

  • What is bankruptcy fraud?

    Bankruptcy fraud is a blanket term that refers to any kind of dishonest bankruptcy proceeding, which can include:

    • Hiding assets by transferring them to another person or entity
    • Intentionally omitting assets when reporting to the court
    • Destroying or withholding required documents
    • Knowingly making false statements to bankruptcy trustees or creditors
  • How long is bankruptcy on public record?

    How long bankruptcy stays on public record depends on the kind of bankruptcy filing in question. Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains on the record for 10 years as there isn't necessarily a repayment component. Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains on the record for seven years as some obligations are repaid following filing based on the terms of a discharge settlement.

  • Does bankruptcy clear tax debt?

    Bankruptcy can clear tax debt, depending on the circumstances. Taxes are dischargeable under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, not Chapter 13, and only if the tax debt is:

    • Federal income tax debt related to current properly filed tax returns
    • Honestly incurred with no fraud or evasion
    • At least three years old
    • Assessed at least 240 days before bankruptcy filings

    Existing liens are not eliminated with bankruptcy.


  • Can they take my car in Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

    In many cases, it's possible to keep a vehicle following Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The Chapter 7 Motor Vehicle Exemption allows filers who own their vehicles outright or who are up to date with payments to keep their cars. However, those behind on making car payments are required to arrange a repayment plan. Otherwise, the vehicle may be repossessed as a part of the proceedings.