Bankruptcy Law Offices of Eric J. Gravel
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Specialist in bankruptcy law as Certified by the State Bar of California. Bay Area-wide practice.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
Drowning in debt in SF? You have more options than you think.
Top 10 Bankruptcy Lawyers in San Francisco
Bankruptcy is not failure — it's a federal right written into the U.S. Constitution. For thousands of San Franciscans each year, it's the legal reset that ends garnishment, stops foreclosure, halts collection lawsuits, and lets a household start rebuilding.
These 10 SF bankruptcy firms have years of focused consumer and small-business bankruptcy experience and free or very low-cost initial consultations.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
West Coast Bankruptcy
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Multi-office Bay Area + SoCal bankruptcy practice. Strong consumer + small-business focus.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Pham and Stevenson Law Group
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Low-cost Chapter 7 + 13 filings. Bay Area-wide practice with bilingual intake.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Shaye Larkin Law
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
20+ years preparing Chapter 7 and 13 petitions. Hundreds of cases in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Gale, Angelo, Johnson & Patrick P.C.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, 11, 13 (consumer + business)
Joseph Angelo represents both consumer debtors and businesses across multiple chapters.
- Fee structure
- Flat + hourly
- Free consultation
- Free initial
No Worries Bankruptcy Attorney
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Free consultations. Bay Area-wide bankruptcy practice with high client volume.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Friedman Law Group, P.C.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 13
Long-established SF bankruptcy practice. Strong individual + small-business client base.
- Fee structure
- Flat + hourly
- Free consultation
- Free initial
Tang & Associates
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Bilingual Mandarin/Cantonese/English bankruptcy boutique. Strong SF Asian-American community practice.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Felderstein Fitzgerald Willoughby Pascuzzi & Rios LLP
Practice focus: Chapter 11, business reorganization, restructuring
Major SF business-bankruptcy practice. Multiple Best Lawyers attorneys.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP — SF Bankruptcy
Practice focus: Business bankruptcy, Chapter 11, restructuring
SF-rooted global firm. Premier business-restructuring practice.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Not sure which firm is right for you?
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted bankruptcy attorneys in San Francisco. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →What to expect from an SF bankruptcy case
A Chapter 7 ('liquidation') bankruptcy filed in the Northern District of California typically wraps in 4-6 months. A Chapter 13 ('repayment plan') runs 3-5 years. You'll attend a 341 Meeting of Creditors and complete two short credit counseling courses.
What does a bankruptcy lawyer in SF cost?
Most SF consumer bankruptcy firms charge a flat fee. Chapter 7: $1,500-$3,500. Chapter 13: $4,500-$6,500.
Red flags to watch for when picking a bankruptcy lawyer in San Francisco
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of San Francisco bankruptcy firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate San Francisco lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most San Francisco firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
- Who, specifically, will handle my case day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
- How many cases like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
- What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign.
- What case expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
- What is the realistic range of outcomes for a case like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
- How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
- Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Larger cases routinely involve outside experts. Know who's on the team.
- How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
- What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms. Make sure you understand the mechanics.
- What's the worst-case outcome for my case? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What's specific about a bankruptcy case in San Francisco
San Francisco is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. the San Francisco Superior Court at Civic Center and the Northern District of California have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right San Francisco firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my house if I file bankruptcy in California?
Probably not. CA's homestead exemption protects up to ~$700,000 in SF County (2026, indexed). If equity is below the exemption, your home is safe.
Can I keep my car?
Usually yes. CA's motor-vehicle exemption protects vehicle equity. Most filers keep their car by reaffirming or redeeming the loan.
Will bankruptcy ruin my credit forever?
No. Stays on credit report 7-10 years, but most filers see scores recover within 12-24 months.
Can student loans be discharged?
Federal student loans are difficult but not impossible — Adversary Proceeding showing 'undue hardship.' Recent DOJ/Education guidance more favorable.
Should I just settle my debts instead?
Sometimes. Debt settlement works if you have lump-sum money. A bankruptcy lawyer models both paths in a free consult.
Related reading
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team