Symmes Law Group
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, student loans, foreclosure defense
99.6% Chapter 7 discharge rate. Decade+ in Washington bankruptcy courts.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
Drowning in debt in Seattle? You have options.
Top 10 Bankruptcy Lawyers in Seattle
Washington bankruptcy filers can choose between federal and state exemptions — a powerful planning tool. Washington homestead exemption is up to $125,000 (or higher for certain age/disability classes). Cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington.
These 10 firms handle Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and small-business reorganization cases for Seattle-area residents.
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 →
Vortman & Feinstein
Practice focus: Chapter 7, 11, 13
Larry Feinstein — Board Certified Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist (American Board of Certification). 12-year Chapter 7 Trustee for W.D. Wash.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee / Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Washington Law Group, PLLC
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Multi-office practice helping hundreds of clients file each year.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
The Law Office of Lisa S. Tse
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Worked for two Chapter 13 trustees in Seattle before establishing her firm.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Rosenberg Law Group, PLLC
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Seth Rosenberg — strong WA/OR practice.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Henry, DeGraaff & McCormick, P.S.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, debt relief
Long-established Seattle consumer bankruptcy practice.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Bountiful Law
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, foreclosure
Boutique Seattle bankruptcy practice with strong client communication.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Bishop Law
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Seattle consumer bankruptcy practice.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
K&L Gates LLP (Restructuring Group)
Practice focus: Business bankruptcy, Chapter 11, restructuring
AmLaw 100 firm headquartered in Seattle with major business restructuring practice.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Bush Kornfeld LLP
Practice focus: Business bankruptcy, Chapter 11
Established Seattle business reorganization firm.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
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Request Free Consultation →What to expect from a Seattle bankruptcy
Chapter 7 (liquidation): 4-6 months, most consumer debt discharged. Chapter 13 (repayment plan): 3-5 years. Filing requires credit counseling and means test.
What does a bankruptcy lawyer in Seattle cost?
Chapter 7: $1,500-$3,000 flat. Chapter 13: $4,000-$6,500 (most paid through plan). Court filing fees $338 (Ch.7) / $313 (Ch.13).
Red flags to watch for when picking a bankruptcy lawyer in Seattle
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Seattle 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. King County Superior Court at the King County Courthouse and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington 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 Seattle 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?
Washington homestead exemption is $125,000+ — generous. Most homes with reasonable equity are protected.
Will I lose my car?
Vehicle exemption $3,250 (federal) or $3,250+ (state). Most financed cars at fair value are protected.
Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13?
Ch.7 = liquidation, fastest, requires income below median. Ch.13 = 3-5 year payment plan, lets you save a house from foreclosure.
How long does it stay on my credit?
Ch.7: 10 years. Ch.13: 7 years. Most clients see scores recover within 12-24 months.
Can I file alone?
Yes (pro se) but with the strict means test, paperwork, and 341 meeting, errors are common.
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