Recognized Bankruptcy Leaders 2025

With nearly three decades of experience, Kevin S. Neiman has helped countless clients in state and federal courts. Providing exceptional client service and representing clients with superior professionalism are the primary goals of Mr. Neiman. His experiences have shaped him into a strong advocate and strategist for all his clients, regardless of the case's complexity. He strives to be the consummate professional and a responsible civic caretaker. Specializing in practice areas arising out of distressed situations such as personal or business financial problems and commercial disputes, his mission is to assist clients in achieving their goals in a professional, efficient, and effective manner.

Attorney Erik Severino focuses his practice on bankruptcy and consumer debt matters, working closely with individuals seeking financial relief and a clear path forward. He is known for personally guiding clients through each stage of the bankruptcy process, ensuring they understand their options and feel supported from start to finish. Erik earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and later received his Juris Doctor from the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. He has been licensed to practice law in Nevada since 2006, concentrating his practice on helping Nevada residents navigate Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings. With years of experience assisting clients during periods of financial hardship, Erik brings a practical and straightforward approach to debt relief cases. He is committed to providing accessible legal guidance and has been recognized among the top bankruptcy attorneys in Las Vegas for his work in this area. His goal is to help clients regain financial stability while treating each case with care, clarity, and professionalism. Law Office of Erik Severino 7251 W Lake Mead Blvd #300 Las Vegas, NV 89128 Office: (702) 370-0155 Website: https://lasvegasbankruptcylawyer.co/

Attorney John D. Sarai is an experienced and well-versed attorney specializing in the fields of bankruptcy, consumer protection and debt relief for consumers and businesses. He has filed thousands of successful bankruptcies and discharged millions of dollars for individuals and businesses struggling with debt. His clients have received fresh starts, clean slates, and a second chance and rebuilding and reestablishing credit without being burdened by debt. He has stopped and prevented foreclosures, repossessions, wage garnishments, bank levies, IRS levies, and other collection actions from creditors and collection agents. He has obtained countless dollars in settlements and judgments for personal injury clients involved in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, dog bites, and slip and fall accidents. He also represents clients with claims against government agencies for injuries on public property and on other buses and public transportation, as well as accidents involving ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. John has also discharged millions of dollars through thousands of successful business and consumer bankruptcies. He has helped clients eliminate their debts and save their homes and businesses, all resulting in brand new credit, high credit scores, and bright financial futures.  Additionally, John advocates for clients being harassed by creditors and collection agencies. He has procured hundreds of thousands of dollars for clients against creditors who violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.

Steve Wallace is a Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate Attorney and founder of Wallace Law, a multi-state bankruptcy, business and real estate firm serving clients in Florida and Texas. As a legal commentator, he is frequently called on to explain how debt, real estate, and policy changes actually play out for business owners and homeowners, including being quoted by outlets such as Forbes Advisor and featured on TV news breaking down Florida homestead and property tax proposals. A former BigLaw attorney turned entrepreneur, Steve advises business owners, lenders, and investors on bankruptcy, distressed debt, and complex commercial real estate, translating technical issues into clear, actionable insights for business and finance audiences. He is available for TV, digital, and print commentary on business and consumer bankruptcy, real estate cycles, property tax and homestead reform, and practical risk management for growing companies and their portfolios.

Need help resolving unpaid debts? Ciment Law Firm's debt defense attorneys can help. Whether you need a bankruptcy lawyer, student debt attorney, or debt resolution attorney, we have you covered. At Ciment Law Firm, our legal team has over 15 years of experience in bankruptcy, debt collection defense, and consumer protection. Our goal is to assist our clients in resolving their unpaid debts, protecting their Texan rights, and rebuilding their credit so that they can move forward with their lives. To learn more about our debt defense solutions, please feel free to schedule a free case evaluation with us today. More Information: Business Email: info@cimentlawfirm.com Business Phone Number: (832) 210-2050 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm

🏅 Top 1% in Loan Originator in 🇺🇸 🗞️ Ft: Forbes | CBS | CNN | Consumer Affairs 📢 Genuine Guidance. Total Peace of Mind. 🚫 No confusion. No gimmicks. No hidden fees. 📍WA|TX|FL|TN|AL|OH 📈 NMLS:2357325

Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA, is Managing Director of Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C. and one of the country’s most-cited authorities on how federal prison sentences are actually served — where a defendant is designated, what the Bureau of Prisons controls, and how much time a person really does. He’s the go-to source when a high-profile defendant is sentenced and the question becomes where they go and what happens there. TIME turned to him on Elizabeth Holmes, CNN on Sean “Diddy” Combs and FCI Fort Dix, and Inc. on Sam Bankman-Fried. Zoukis knows the system from the inside. He served a federal sentence, writing College for Convicts (McFarland, 2014), Prison Education Guide, and the Federal Prison Handbook (2017) while incarcerated, and earned a 2012 PEN America Prison Writing Award. He later authored the Directory of Federal Prisons (2020) and earned his J.D. from UC Davis School of Law, where he was Articles Editor of the UC Davis Law Review. He holds an M.B.A. from Adams State University. His focus: BOP designation under 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b), sentence computation, First Step Act earned time credits and PATTERN scoring, RDAP, prison discipline and conditions of confinement, compassionate release, halfway house and home confinement placement, and reentry. He has advised hundreds of clients and families through federal incarceration. He is Chairman of the Board of the Human Rights Defense Center, publisher of Prison Legal News and Criminal Legal News, and author of the forthcoming Federal Criminal Defendant’s Handbook and the third edition of The Habeas Citebook: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel. Zoukis is not an attorney; all legal work is handled by lead counsel Elizabeth Franklin-Best, ranked in Chambers USA 2026 for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, named a 2026 Best Lawyer in America for Appellate Practice, and admitted before the U.S. Supreme Court and all U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals. The firm assists with federal sentencing, direct appeals, habeas corpus petitions, and compassionate release. Quoted by TIME, CNN, Inc., Fox News, ABC News, the Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Bloomberg Law, The Hill, UPI, and Vice News. Contributor to the Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Prison Legal News, and Criminal Legal News. Contact: Chris@ZoukisDefense.com · (843) 620-1100 · https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/about-us/our-team/christopher-zoukis/

Attorney Matthew Weidner has been a passionate consumer warrior for nearly 3 decades. He's been featured in press around the world on a wide range of consumer/legal related topics. He's been profiled in New York Times Best Selling Books, and has been regularly quoted in Wall Street Journal, New York Times and the like. He has an active social media presence and has one of the most popular legal YouTube Channels with nearly 500,000 viewer counts. He operates a professional grade studio and is available for immediate appearances.

Morgan B. Edelboim focuses his practice primarily on bankruptcy, commercial litigation and real estate. He is highly experienced and recognized by the legal community for his skill and integrity.

The Fields Group, LLC Law Firm is Wisconsin’s largest debt consolidation firm, helping individuals and businesses resolve debt without immediately filing for bankruptcy. Using Wisconsin laws such as Chapter 128, the firm creates structured repayment plans that reduce financial strain while limiting long-term credit impact. The Fields Group, LLC Law Firm assists clients facing credit cards, medical bills, tax debt, and lawsuits with solutions that may include 0% interest and no credit check. The team works to stop wage garnishments, prevent bank levies, and help dismiss lawsuits while keeping clients out of court. Every case is handled with a tailored approach, starting with a free consultation to review options and build a clear path toward financial stability. Visit our website to learn more about The Fields Group’s personal debt consolidation, business debt consolidation, and tax debt relief services.

Elizabeth Franklin-Best is the principal attorney of Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., a federal criminal defense and appellate firm, and one of the country’s most experienced federal post-conviction lawyers. Over more than two decades, she has appeared in over 330 federal proceedings — more than 100 of them appeals — and is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States and all U.S. Courts of Appeals. Chambers USA ranks her in its 2026 guide for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, and Best Lawyers in America 2026 lists her in Appellate Practice. She was named South Carolina Public Defender of the Year in 2010. She has served as counsel of record in sixteen published decisions. She argued United States v. Slager, 912 F.3d 224 (4th Cir. 2019), the sentencing appeal in a widely reported federal civil rights prosecution, and was counsel in United States v. Frias (2d Cir. 2024) and United States v. Joseph (10th Cir. 2024). Her collateral-review work includes capital habeas matters Wood v. Stirling (4th Cir. 2022) and Morva v. Zook (4th Cir. 2016), and Bennett v. Stirling (D.S.C. 2016), where a federal court granted habeas relief in a capital case after finding racial bias infected the sentencing. She was also counsel in Aiken v. Byars (S.C. 2014), the landmark ruling applying Miller v. Alabama to require new sentencing hearings for juvenile offenders. Her practice is devoted to the federal system: direct appeals, 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motions, § 2254 and capital habeas petitions, ineffective assistance claims, compassionate release, and federal sentencing. She is the author of Reversing Your Criminal Conviction: Develop Your Winning Strategy (2023) and writes expert analysis for Law360, most recently on how the Supreme Court’s habeas rulings limit compassionate release. She serves as Co-Vice Chair of the NACDL Amicus Curiae Committee for the Fourth Circuit, Board Chair of Justice 360, and is a charter member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association. J.D. and M.A. in Philosophy, University of Wyoming. Admitted in South Carolina and New York. Available to comment on federal appeals and post-conviction practice, Supreme Court criminal rulings and their downstream effects, capital habeas, white-collar defense, and federal sentencing. Contact: (843) 620-1100 · https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/about-us/our-team/elizabeth-franklin-best/

Julie J. Villalobos is the founder of OakTree Law, a Southern California law firm specializing in bankruptcy and personal injury. Ms. Villalobos and her team of attorneys help clients experiencing debt and financial difficulty, unafraid to face large corporations and relentless insurance companies on their behalf. From auto accidents to credit card debt and many other financial matters, Ms. Villalobos works to create peace of mind, a fresh start, fair compensation, and avenues for financial success and recovery for every single client she serves.

I'm a specialist commercial finance broker with 16 years of experience helping Australian business owners access commercial property finance. As founder of Smart Business Plans, I've overseen $550 million in commercial finance across more than 3,300 clients, with a 92% approval rate working across a panel of 60+ specialist lenders. My expertise sits at the intersection of commercial property, business finance, and wealth strategy — particularly for small to medium business owners looking to buy their own premises, invest through their SMSF, or fund development projects. I work exclusively in the commercial space, which means I specialise where the major banks often can't or won't go. I'm also the author of The Premise Effect (2026), which makes the case for why Australian business owners are leaving millions on the table by renting rather than owning their business premises. I'm available to comment on: commercial property finance, SMSF borrowing, business lending, commercial mortgage rates, Australian property market trends, and small business wealth building.

I am an attorney and owner of Alpine Mortgage. As a seasoned mortgage banker and real estate attorney for over 20 years I can offer insights into real estate finance and law. Throughout my career, I have been committed to making the mortgage process clear and understandable so my clients are informed and confident in their financial decisions. My deep understanding of both the financial and legal side of real estate transactions allows me to contribute unique perspectives on mortgage trends to property laws. As a passionate advocate for transparent and ethical practices in the real estate industry, I am eager to share my knowledge and experiences through engaging articles that inform and empower readers on real estate and mortgage finance. Whether you're looking for expert commentary on mortgage trends, real estate market analysis or insights into property law, I offer practical advice from my years of real estate transactions and legal consultations.

I am an Institutional Debt Market Architect with more than 17 years of experience designing the valuation, liquidity, and recovery protocols that banks, credit unions, fintech lenders, and private credit funds rely on to make high-stakes decisions. I’ve advised on, analyzed, or helped broker over $100 billion in performing and non-performing receivables across consumer, commercial, auto, BNPL, mortgage, and specialty finance asset classes. My work sits at the intersection of portfolio valuation, lending risk, distressed-asset strategy, and AI-driven recovery intelligence. I help institutions understand the true condition of their receivables, uncover hidden risk, and translate complex credit dynamics into clear, actionable decisions. When lenders need to determine whether to hold, recover, restructure, or sell an asset, I’m the person they call. As Director of Portfolio Liquidity & Asset Disposition at Fitzgerald Advisors, I architect and execute loan-sale strategies, oversee due diligence, and structure NPL and charged-off debt transactions that maximize proceeds while maintaining regulatory integrity. I also build the technology that powers modern receivables strategy. I created Debt Catalyst, an AI-driven valuation and liquidation-curve engine used by professional debt buyers and investors. I developed Bank Watch Pro, a real-time intelligence platform that interprets FDIC and NCUA call-report data to identify institutional credit risk, NPL trends, charge-off exposure, and early-warning indicators. Across my ventures, I focus on one mission: turning distressed receivables, delinquency, and charge-offs into liquidity, clarity, and competitive advantage for financial institutions. I provide expert commentary on: Distressed portfolio valuation & credit-risk analysis NPL and charged-off debt sales Fintech lending trends & BNPL credit performance Bank & credit union financial health (FDIC/NCUA analytics) AI in collections, segmentation, and liquidation modeling Regulatory and compliance implications in debt markets I don’t follow the debt markets — I architect them. And I use that experience to help lenders, investors, and agencies make smarter, faster, and more profitable decisions.

David Pinkhasov is an Associate Attorney of Consumer Attorneys. David is admitted in Courts of the State of New York and Florida. David received his J.D. from Hofstra University Law School in 2021. While attending Hofstra, David interned at the Medical Legal Partnership Clinic, where he assisted in addressing clients’ legal needs impacting their health and well-being, such as income and housing. David also interned at the Nassau County Bar Association Mortgage Foreclosure Pro Bono Project, which was geared towards providing limited representation in court mandated conferences to any Nassau County resident facing foreclosure. In addition, David co-mediated custody and visitation disputes, divorce, and other family matters as a student mediator for Hofstra’s Family Law Mediation Clinic. After graduating law school, David served as an attorney for a Real Estate law firm where he guided clients through transactions ranging from intricate leasing agreements to large-scale property acquisitions. David brings a unique blend of legal experience and approachability to every case.

Ben Jackson is the founder of Talk About Debt, a platform that gives people a safe, judgment-free space to have the deeply personal conversations necessary to take control of their finances and get out of debt. Talk About Debt combines an expert AI chat assistant, online bankruptcy form preparation, and a network of attorneys and debt experts standing by to provide personalized help when needed. Ben previously co-founded Upsolve, the largest bankruptcy nonprofit in the United States, which has helped tens of thousands of families file Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. His work is rooted in personal experience. He grew up on food stamps, watched his family struggle with debt collectors and garnishment threats, and nearly filed for the wrong chapter of bankruptcy himself before learning the system. That experience drives everything he builds. Ben is available to comment on bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13), debt relief and settlement, consumer rights and debt collector abuse, credit recovery, student loan debt, financial literacy, and the emotional toll of financial hardship.

I established The Peterson Law Firm to focus on the individual and families involved in the legal process. I focus on the family and the end goal to come to a optimal resolution for my client. My practice areas include include Divorce & Family Law, Bankruptcy & Debt, and Tax Resolution Services.

I'm a credit officer who happens to think like a deal-maker. After 34 years in credit, mortgage, and equipment finance, I've learned that the best financing solutions come from understanding both the numbers and the business behind them. As Chief Credit Officer and President of Equipment Leases at Commercial Funding Partners, I lead credit and underwriting operations for a portfolio that's grown from $15 million to nearly $100 million annually, with clear sight lines to $300 million. My role sits at the intersection of rigorous credit analysis and flexible deal structuring, which means I spend my days solving financing challenges that traditional banks simply can't accommodate. Here's what that looks like in practice: We fund 100% of equipment projects so companies can preserve working capital. We manage vendor deposits and progress payments directly, including international transactions in euros, removing cash flow strain during long equipment builds. We structure deals for clients who've hit exposure limits with their banks, allowing them to maintain those banking relationships while still accessing the capital they need to grow. Most of our transactions range from $250,000 to $25 million and support revenue-generating equipment in manufacturing, construction, pharmaceuticals, and other industries where the right asset makes the difference between winning a contract and walking away from it. We typically approve leases in 10 to 14 days, and even complex, multi-million-dollar deals close within a few weeks. What sets our approach apart is the team mentality. Clients don't get a rigid lender relationship. They get a credit partner who understands their cash cycles, their vendor timelines, and their growth plans. My team works cross-functionally (credit, sales, documentation, accounting) to deliver financing that's both sound and practical. I'm actively involved with ELFA, NEFA, and AACFB, and I've been recognized as a Top Woman in Leasing and with the AACFB President's Award. These aren't just credentials. They reflect a commitment to advancing the industry and building financing structures that help mid-market companies compete and scale. If you're a CFO or business owner dealing with bank exposure caps, international vendor payments, or the need for 100% project funding, let's talk. I'm here to structure deals that work.

Peter Reagan is a respected financial strategist at Birch Gold Group with more than 15 years of experience in the precious metals market. His market commentary has been featured in outlets including Newsmax, ZeroHedge, and GoBankingRates. At Birch Gold Group, he helps investors understand how gold and other precious metals can strengthen long-term financial security. His clear guidance and commitment to education have made him a trusted voice in an evolving economic landscape. Known for his practical approach and genuine commitment to investors’ success, Peter makes financial concepts feel accessible and empowering. He brings clarity to uncertainty, helping people make confident decisions about their future. Whether sharing insights in the media or supporting clients one-on-one, he remains focused on education, integrity, and building lasting trust with those he serves.