Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Litigation - Bankruptcy
Steven T. "Steve" Gubner
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Steve, BG Law's Managing Partner, represents financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies (and their financing divisions), closely held businesses and high net worth individuals in complex bankruptcy and insolvency matters. He is known in the insolvency arena as the “involuntary bankruptcy go-to lawyer” because of his management of the sensitive issues surrounding involuntary bankruptcy filings, and general business advice he applies to navigate potential pitfalls and solve problems before they occur. In addition, he is adept in complex bankruptcy insolvency matters.
Steve applies his experience as a business lawyer, and business owner, to each matter in order to effectively achieve the business and legal objectives of his clients. He truly believes that “your counsel matters,” and listens carefully to client desires and concerns before charting the most effective course.
Steve is particularly skilled in commercial collections for banks and financial institutions, and has successfully litigated heavily contested, multimillion-dollar real/personal property and equity line financing cramdown cases. He also assists in pre-bankruptcy, pre-workout and wealth management advice and planning.
In addition, he has handled numerous cases before the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel and U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court.
Steve has earned the highest rating (“AV”) for legal ability and ethics by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He was named one of “The Top 25 Lawyers of the Valley,” by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal and has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer every year since 2007.
Overview
- University of the Pacific, J.D., graduated 1991
- University of California - Santa Barbara, B.A., graduated 1988
- California, United States
- Nevada, United States
- Abbyson Living Corporation - Board of Directors
- American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) - Member
- Bankruptcy Forum, Los Angeles, Inland Empire and Orange Counties - Member
- Eastern District of California - Judicial Extern to the Honorable David E. Russell, U. S. Bankruptcy Judge
- Los Angeles and Orange County Bar Associations - Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Committee
- United Cerebral Palsy - Board of Directors
- U.S. District Court
- U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. Supreme Court
- California, United States
- Nevada, United States
- Abbyson Living Corporation - Board of Directors
- American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) - Member
- Bankruptcy Forum, Los Angeles, Inland Empire and Orange Counties - Member
- Eastern District of California - Judicial Extern to the Honorable David E. Russell, U. S. Bankruptcy Judge
- Los Angeles and Orange County Bar Associations - Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Committee
- United Cerebral Palsy - Board of Directors
- University of the Pacific, J.D., graduated 1991
- University of California - Santa Barbara, B.A., graduated 1988
- U.S. District Court
- U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. Supreme Court
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Law
- Litigation - Banking and Finance
Awards:
- San Fernando Valley Business Journal "Trusted Avisor"
- Named a “Super Lawyer” by Southern California Super Lawyer Magazine (2007-2017), placing him in the top 5% of attorneys in the region.
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Stephen Law v. Alfred H. Siegel
Counsel of Record in Stephen Law v. Alfred H. Siegel, Chapter 7 Trustee, a landmark case argued in front of the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) concerning a bankruptcy court’s power to protect the bankruptcy process from abuse.
- Undisclosed
Representation of the liquidating trust in the recent, large chapter 11 Circuit City filing, obtaining significant, multi-million dollar recoveries from insurance companies, and prosecuting numerous class action claims on behalf of the trust.
- Howard Grobstein
Representation of Chapter 7 Trustee Howard Grobstein; successful in reopening bankruptcy case and vacating dismissal in order to allow the Trustee to administer assets for the benefit of all creditors.
- Howard Ehrenberg
Representation of Chapter 7 Trustee Howard Ehrenberg in multi-million dollar ponzi scheme, successfully recovering numerous payments illegally doled out by Beverly Hills hedge fund manager Bradley L. Ruderman.
- Undisclosed
Closed a significant multi-million dollar transaction for a client involving both debt acquisition and an equity investment. As a result, the target company, a significant company in the souvenir apparel industry, was able to avoid a bankruptcy filing and over 100 employees were able to keep their jobs.
- Pan Pacific Fisheries
Filed the largest involuntary bankruptcy in a proceeding against Pan Pacific Fisheries. He obtained payment for three trade suppliers from the largest fish cannery on the West Coast.
- Mossimo
Filed the involuntary bankruptcy against Mossimo companies, and successfully negotiated over $1 million in claims resulting in 100% payment (100 cents on the dollar) to our petitioning creditor clients.
- City of Long Beach
Represented the City of Long Beach in the Queen Mary bankruptcy resulting in a complete recovery for the city.
- Undisclosed
Enforcement of all commercial collections for the financial division of a multinational corporation operating automotive and watercraft dealerships across the United States.
- Undisclosed
Collected the principal balance owed to a film production company after the judgment for business debt languished unpaid for years. He obtained payment within weeks of taking the case.
- Undisclosed
Recovered a substantial portion of a $30 million debt owed to a major, well-established bank operating in the Western United States.
- Various
Collection of a portfolio of receivables from multiple failed businesses resulting in substantial financial return to the former lenders of the company.
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