Best US Bankruptcy Law Firms

Bankruptcy lawyers in the USA cannot file your case until one box is checked. Federal law requires credit counseling from a US Trustee-approved agency within 180 days before you file. Skip it, and the case can be dismissed. The attorneys below handle that step as routine.

To compile this list, we review Bankruptcy Lawyers based on public information, client feedback, and professional standing.

  • Bar standing and public disciplinary history review
  • Documented case results and courtroom trial experience
  • Peer recognition within the legal community
  • Client reviews, communication, and responsiveness
  • Consistency of public reviews across multiple platforms

Rankings are determined independently based on public information and editorial research.

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    Leading Bankruptcy Attorneys for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 & Business Debt Cases

    Screenshot of the Allmand Law Firm, PLLC Website
    8350 N Central Expy Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75206, USA

    Allmand, PLLC is a Texas bankruptcy law firm with offices in Dallas, Hurst, Houston, and San Antonio. Reed Allmand leads the practice and is certified in Consumer Bankruptcy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

    The firm describes itself as the largest consumer bankruptcy practice in Texas, with more than 20 years of filings. Work covers Chapter 7 cases, Chapter 13 repayment plans, foreclosure defense, and wage garnishment.

    Clients start with a free evaluation that reviews both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy paths. The firm has been featured on Fox and CBS.

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    Screenshot of the Benenati Law Firm Website
    2702 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32803, USA

    Central Florida's largest filer of bankruptcies works from Orlando and Kissimmee. Walter F. Benenati has spent nearly 20 years filing cases in the Orlando and Tampa divisions of the federal Middle District.

    The firm handles Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 matters, as well as garnishment defenses and debt collector lawsuits. A separate practice covers auto accident and injury claims.

    Benenati filed for bankruptcy himself and talks about it openly with clients.

    Screenshot of the Frego & Associates Website
    23843 Joy Rd, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127, USA

    More than 40,000 filings make Frego & Associates the busiest bankruptcy attorney group in Michigan. It has held that spot for over 20 years. The lawyers bring over a century of combined experience.

    Offices are located in Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Flint, Warren, Saginaw, and Ypsilanti. The team covers Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, foreclosure defense, and discharge violations.

    James P. Frego II is certified as a bankruptcy specialist by the American Board of Bankruptcy Certification. Most clients pay $150 to hire the office and cover the rest of the fees during and after the case.

    Screenshot of the The Kent Law Firm Website

    A father and son have run The Kent Law Firm in Atlanta for more than 40 years. Robert and Howard Kent handle both consumer filing chapters alongside wills, probate, and health care directives.

    Fees remain reasonable, and the office provides low-cost assistance to seniors, government workers, and military veterans. Saturday appointments are available and first consultations cost nothing.

    Screenshot of the Westgate Law Website

    Attorney Justin Harelik founded Westgate Law in 2013 and has filed more than 7,000 bankruptcy cases across Southern California. The Paramount office serves clients throughout Los Angeles County.

    Both liquidation and repayment filings are on offer. Harelik also gives debt counseling to people who may not need to file at all, and walks through each option first.

    Pricing is stated up front, so clients know the cost before they sign anything.

    Screenshot of the The Lane Law Firm Website

    Few Texas practices narrow their focus this tightly. The Lane Law Firm takes small business bankruptcy and denied property insurance claims, and little else.

    Its attorneys go after merchant cash advance lenders, aggressive debt collectors, and insurers who underpay roof and storm damage claims. Personal bankruptcy and foreclosure defense round out the work.

    Offices are in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.

    Screenshot of the LifeBack Law Firm, P.A. Website

    LifeBack Law Firm, P.A. is a debt relief practice serving Minnesota and North Dakota, with roots going back to 1972. Locations run from Minneapolis and St. Paul to Duluth, Brainerd, Bismarck, and Fargo.

    Consumer filings are the core work, and $0 upfront options are available. Every client also gets a free 90-day credit-rebuilding program after discharge, and the whole process can be handled remotely.

    Screenshot of the Rashid Law Firm Website
    10222 Gulf Fwy Suite B-100, Houston, TX 77034, USA

    Over $100 million in debt discharged since 2009 sits behind the Rashid Law Firm in Houston. Attorney Radi Rashid has handled more than 3,000 bankruptcy cases and over 8,000 legal proceedings in total.

    The office files Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases and also takes injury and car accident claims. It has stayed at the same Gulf Freeway location for more than 15 years.

    Initial consultations are free, by phone or in person, and the staff speaks Spanish.

    Screenshot of the The Moak Law Firm PLLC Website
    1820 E Ray Rd, Chandler, AZ 85225, USA

    Walter E. "Pete" Moak has practiced law for over 40 years and has worked in Arizona since 1977. He has taken more than 50 cases to jury trial and has written a book on life after filing.

    His Chandler office serves the Phoenix metro. It also covers debt settlement, loan modification, and short sales for people who want to avoid a filing. Cases start at $0 down with payment plans, and the phone is answered around the clock.

    Screenshot of the Vaisman Law Office Website
    33 S Wood Ave Suite 600, Iselin, NJ 08830, USA

    From an office in Iselin, Edward Vaisman handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings for Woodbridge Township and the surrounding area. He appears in court at least twice a week and knows each trustee in New Jersey personally.

    His work also covers bank levies, garnished wages, DMV surcharges, and older back taxes. Payment options are flexible.

    Screenshot of the Starr & Starr, PLLC Website

    Starr & Starr, PLLC is a boutique Manhattan firm covering personal and business bankruptcy, commercial collections, and judgment enforcement. Its lawyers are board-certified in business bankruptcy law and bring over 60 years of combined experience.

    Cases run through the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey. The firm also handles Subchapter V small business reorganizations.

    Screenshot of the Wadhwani & Shanfeld - Long Beach Bankruptcy Lawyers Website

    More than 30,000 individuals and families have used Wadhwani & Shanfeld for debt help. Founders Raj Wadhwani and Greg Shanfeld are both board-certified bankruptcy specialists through the American Board of Certification.

    Six offices cover Long Beach, Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Ontario, Palmdale, and Lancaster. Debt settlement and loan modification are options when filing is not the right move.

    Screenshot of the The Bankruptcy Law Offices of James Schwitalla, P.A. Website

    James Schwitalla has handled Miami debt cases for over 30 years and has litigated up to the United States Supreme Court. Most consumer firms never step into that kind of fight.

    His Kendall office covers consumer filings, bankruptcy litigation, and creditor representation across Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys. Spanish-speaking lawyers are available for consultations.

    Screenshot of the The Bankruptcy Law Firm, PC Website

    The Bankruptcy Law Firm, PC is owned and run by Kathleen P. March, who served a 14-year term as a US Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District of California. She is a triple-certified specialist with over 35 years in the field.

    March is the lead author of the Rutter Group's four-volume California Bankruptcy Practice Guide. Her firm represents both debtors and creditors in filings, motions, adversary proceedings, and appeals.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost?

    Usually a flat fee. Chapter 7 attorney fees are typically paid up front, while Chapter 13 fees are often folded into the repayment plan. Court filing fees are separate and set at the federal level.

    How long does a bankruptcy case take?

    Months, or years. A straightforward liquidation case usually wraps in three to six months. A repayment plan runs for three to five years, after which the remaining balances are wiped out.

    What is the means test?

    An income check. It compares your household income to the median for your state and family size. Fall below it and you generally qualify for liquidation. Fall above, and a repayment plan may be the route.

    Will I lose my house or car?

    Often, no. Exemption laws protect a set amount of equity in a home, vehicle, retirement accounts, and household goods. The amounts vary by state, and some states let you pick federal exemptions instead.

    Does filing stop creditor calls and wage garnishment?

    Yes, immediately. The automatic stay takes effect the moment the petition is filed. It halts collection calls, lawsuits, garnishments, repossessions, and foreclosure sales while the case is open.

    Which debts survive a discharge?

    A short but serious list. Child support, alimony, most recent taxes, and criminal fines stay. Student loans can be discharged, but only through a separate adversary proceeding with a hardship showing.

    Can I file again if I have filed before?

    After a waiting period. Eight years must pass between two Chapter 7 discharges. Shorter windows apply when moving between chapters, and your lawyer can confirm the exact date.

    Types of Bankruptcy Cases US Firms Handle

    Chapter 7 consumer cases. The most common filing for individuals with limited income and mostly unsecured debt. Credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans are the usual targets.

    Chapter 13 repayment plans. Built for people with steady income who are behind on a mortgage or car loan. The plan lets them catch up over time while keeping the property.

    Chapter 11 and Subchapter V. Business reorganizations are now far more accessible to small companies since Subchapter V took effect. Owners keep operating while restructuring debt.

    Foreclosure and repossession defense. Filing can stop a scheduled sale, but timing matters down to the day. Some firms also handle loan modification outside of court.

    Creditor representation. The other side of the docket. Lenders, landlords, vendors, and HOAs file claims, seek stay relief, and challenge discharges.

    Merchant cash advance and business debt. A growing niche. Firms negotiate with predatory lenders and defend collection suits without a filing where possible.

    Student loan and tax debt work. Both need special handling. Tax debt can sometimes be discharged by age, and student loan cases run as separate lawsuits.

    How to Choose a Bankruptcy Attorney

    Check who files in your district. Local trustees, judges, and 341 meeting practices differ. A lawyer who appears in your bankruptcy court weekly knows what that trustee asks for.

    Ask about board certification. The American Board of Certification and several state bars certify consumer and business bankruptcy specialists. It is a verifiable credential, not marketing language.

    Confirm who does the work. Some high-volume firms hand cases to paralegals. Ask which attorney attends your creditors' meeting and who answers when something goes wrong.

    Get the fee split in writing. Attorney fees, filing fees, and counseling course costs are three separate items. A quote that blurs them tends to grow later.

    Ask what happens after discharge. Credit rebuilding help, judgment removal, and post-filing education vary widely. Some firms include it, others stop at the discharge order.

    What Affects the Outcome of a Bankruptcy Case

    Results turn on facts you mostly cannot change. Income relative to your state median matters, and so does equity in your home and vehicle. How recently the debts were run up counts too, along with any transfers made before filing. Business filings add creditor cooperation and cash flow to the list. Timing matters too, since filing a few weeks earlier or later can change which chapter fits. An attorney can map your numbers against your state's exemptions before anything is filed.