Best Lawyers in California, United States for Litigation - Bankruptcy

Paul Leeds is a Commercial Litigation attorney with over 20 years of experience navigating the minefields of bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings for clients in state and federal courts. He frequently represents court appointed fiduciaries, creditors, and business owners looking to maximize recovery from distressed assets.Mr. Leeds first goal- always- is to find a cost-effective business solution to a complex dispute. When a business solution isn’t available, his in-depth knowledge of ...

Steven J. Katzman’s unique and accomplished background includes over three decades of experience in both government service and private practice. A former United States Trustee for five federal judicial districts and federal prosecutor, Steven offers unparalleled trial, bankruptcy and complex litigation experience, specializing in complex insolvency, federal and commercial litigation. During 2003-2008, Steven was appointed as the U.S. Trustee for the Central and Southern Districts of Ca...

Corey is a litigator in bankruptcy, business and commercial litigation and represents bankruptcy trustees, receivers, creditors, assignees for the benefit of creditors, and municipalities in bankruptcy proceedings, and in federal and state court litigation. He frequently litigates fraudulent transfer (voidable transfer) actions, including in Ponzi scheme cases, and litigates breach of fiduciary duty and malpractice claims. Corey received his law degree from the University of Southern Californ...

Peter Bertrand is Chairman of Buchalter Nemer's Board of Directors and a Shareholder in the San Francisco office. He is a member of both the Litigation, and Insolvency and Financial Solutions Practice Groups. His practice, which is national in scope, focuses on the representation of financial institutions and companies in the areas of litigation, bankruptcy and creditor rights law. He also specializes in cases involving intellectual property, trade secrets, unfair business competition and emp...

Jerry is a business lawyer and advisor who focuses his practice on representing clients in commercial restructuring and bankruptcy matters, business sales and purchases, commercial and real estate transactions and leases, private debt and equity trades, and related litigation, in numerous jurisdictions. Jerry has represented business owners and investors, borrowers, banks and unsecured lenders, hedge funds and private equity sponsors, vendors, commercial landlords and tenants, trustees and fi...

Gillian Brown is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Gillian, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gillian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Saunders is an accomplished bankruptcy and transactional attorney with broad national practice experience. His range and depth of expertise includes chapter 11 reorganizations and sales, out-of-court workouts, debt/equity financings, corporate and real estate transactions, entity structure and governance strategies, employee and union matters, and litigation. He represents debtors, committees, creditors, acquirers, trustees, and examiners in bankruptcy cases. He counsels lenders and borro...

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 probl...

William Smelko is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. William, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Hunter specializes in business and commercial litigation, including bankruptcy litigation. He also has extensive experience in state and federal court appeals. He is a graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida, and received his J.D. from Harvard Law School. Mr. Hunter is admitted to practice in California.

Mr. Pagay is a business lawyer whose practice focuses on the development and implementation of strategic alternatives for and against distressed businesses. He has substantial experience representing chapter 11 debtors, trustees, unsecured creditors, creditors' committees, and other parties in the contexts of bankruptcy cases, adversary proceedings, commercial litigation, mediations, domestic and international business transactions, business reorganizations, and out-of-court corporate restruc...

Joshua D. Morse is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Joshua D., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joshua D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.