BANKRUPTCY  SERVICES

About Jim
Jim Shepherd is an attorney with over 15 years of experience in bankruptcy law.  After graduating law school cum laude from Indiana University in 1995, he served as a clerk for a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in Michigan.  He was in private practice for 9 years concentrating in bankruptcy and litigation for a range of individual and business clients, including consumers in pro bono cases.  Before becoming a bankruptcy attorney, Jim worked as a commercial fisherman in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

In 2006, Jim joined the Office of the United States Trustee in San Francisco, where he practiced as a bankruptcy attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.  He launched his own bankruptcy practice in 2009.  Jim serves consumers and businesses throughout the Bay Area from his offices in El Cerrito.  He lives in the East Bay with his wife and three young children and enjoys trail running as well as hiking and distance swimming.

What We Offer
Whether you are in debt from judgments, pay-day loans, credit card balances, lawsuits, medical problems, divorce or child support, student loans, taxes, or business-related debts, bankruptcy can offer a powerful solution.  The primary types of bankruptcy services we offer are:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
If most of your debts are unsecured, such as credit card debt, medical debts, guarantees, and signature loans, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be your best option.  Despite the term “liquidation” being associated with Chapter 7, most debtors keep their retirement funds, household possessions, and other assets.  After filing for relief, meeting with a trustee, and obtaining financial education, most debtors receive a discharge and a clean start in life within a matter of weeks, although most student loans, marital debts, and recent taxes are not dischargeable.  An “automatic stay” arises immediately upon filing, putting an immediate stop to nearly all creditor actions including foreclosures, lawsuits, and garnishments.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
If you are hurting financially but have regular income and can make payments over time, a Chapter 13 payment plan may make the most sense for you.  Chapter 13 can help save your home from foreclosure or help you recover financially from a temporary setback such as a medical emergency or divorce.  You receive the protection of the automatic stay and a discharge of most debts after completing your plan, typically a period of 3-to-5 years.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Businesses in financial trouble and some individuals may benefit from restructuring under Chapter 11.  The business owner retains control of all assets and business operations and can restructure almost any type of business debt, including loans, payroll and income taxes, equipment leases, overdue rent, mortgages, and judgments, under a Chapter 11 plan.

Bankruptcy Litigation
When a dispute arises in a bankruptcy case, you will need candid, practical advice from a bankruptcy attorney with solid litigation experience.  Contact us regarding discharging student loans, taxes, and marital debts, or defending your right to remain in Chapter 7 and receive a discharge.  In select cases, we help aggrieved creditors protect their rights in Bankruptcy Court.

Start the Process
We can recommend a course of action only after an in-depth, confidential discussion with you, under the protection of the attorney-client privilege.  Schedule your free 30-minute consultation today.