If
your small business is in financial trouble, see this article for
help & turnaround advice.
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy is a complicated matter for a business. And
you want to make sure that if you decide to take this route, you
do it right. If you fail, your business will have to take Chapter
7 Bankruptcy. This is liquidation bankruptcy and it means your business
will no longer exist. Therefore, make sure you get a good lawyer
to handle your bankruptcy case.
Suggestions on Finding a Good Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Lawyer
The best way to find a good Chapter 11 Bankruptcy lawyer is by suggestions
from friends, family members, and professional associates. This will
at least get you started with some names. Of course these lawyers
will advertise in the phone directories and on the Internet. Another
good person to ask is a tax accountant because these people deal
with federal matters as well and will probably know the name of a
good lawyer.
You can also go to the local bankruptcy court and ask the clerks
for the name of the lawyer who appears the most. But clerks may be
reluctant to give you that information. They need to remain impartial
and for good reason. In the State of California versus Attorney Joseph
Cavallo, the lawyer was charged with having unfairly drawn business
to his firm in Orange County. He did this by getting jail officials
to advertise his services. It is because of cases like this, that
local court clerks are reluctant to share information about any one
lawyer over another.
Other Factors to Consider
Once you have a list of names you can search for information on
them. You can look for the number of years they have been in practice
and if they are members of any organizations focused on bankruptcy
issues. You can also see how specialized they are. If they do bankruptcies
plus ten other areas then they are not your best bet. Likely, they
are not up-to-date on the latest federal statutes and cases.
Many if not most of these lawyers will have free initial consultations.
Pay attention to how you are treated on the telephone when you make
an appointment. This indicates their level of professionalism.
When you meet with the lawyer, notice what this person is like and
to how they conduct themselves. If the lawyer is a comedian and spends
a lot of time trying to throw in humor to everything, beware. Remember
that lawyers charge by the hour and you can be almost certain the
time spent making that witty joke will add up on your bill. The best
lawyers are those who get right to the point and take in the information
you provide. They should be up-front about cost and tell you how
they will proceed if hired.
Remember, bankruptcy is a serious matter and you want someone who
is knowledgeable and professional to represent you in court.
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