Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy.

HI, Nov 2003
Bar Number: 8021

District Court (Federal) and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Hawai'i State Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, American Bar Association, Hawai'i Bankruptcy Bar Association, and National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

I attend NACBA conferences, HSBA Bankruptcy Section CLE and bankruptcy seminars throughout the year. I always exceed the recommended number of education hours.

Franklin, Barbara L., "Impact of Bankruptcy on the Landlord Tenant Relationship," and Speaker, 2010, Sterling Education Services, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Franklin, Barbara L., Yerbich, Thomas J., "Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Issues," National Business Insitute, Seminar in Anchorage, Alaska, 2001.

Eakin, Barbara L., "Can Your Business Take Advantage of a Sales Tax Deferral?" Washington Business, Association of Washington Business, Vol. 23, No. 22, August 16, 1985.

• Negotiated settlement of landlord claim avoiding bankruptcy for personal guarantors.

• Successfully filed a Chapter 7 case for education professional with over average income who had significant health issues.

• Successfully defended and settled a preference action by a trustee in a bankruptcy case involving a "Ponzi" scheme, successfully removing him after the discharge of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

• Successfully completed arbitration over limited liability company issues and contract for land transfer.

• Successful confirmation of Chapter 12 potato farmer

• Obtained BMW and return of cash bond in a replevin action

• Chapter 13 confirmation rate exceeds state average

• United States Trustee has never filed a motion to dismiss for substantial abuse in any of the chapter 7 cases filed

• Bankruptcy analysis supported a reduced settlement with shopping center leasor

1

Hawai'i

Bankruptcy and real estate matters. I represent all parties in bankruptcy, particularly Chapters 7 and 13. I have worked on Chapter 12 bankruptcy, specifically for farmers. I have numerous clients with real estate concerns, whether just a deed or creating an easement. Small businesses and consumers are well-suited to my practice.

I retired from the Department of Justice in 2002. I was admitted to the Hawai'i State Bar Association in 2003 and have my own practice in Honoka'a, Hawai'i. I have over 20 years of bankruptcy experience and have represented both debtors and creditors, including a trustee.

I was Assistant to the U.S. Trustee, District of Alaska from 1990 to 2002.

Jeanne M. Keller

(808) 775-1040

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed on government holidays.

No

I charge $275.00 per hour for all bankruptcy and insolvency matters and usually give my clients a flat rate once we determine what chapter will be filed. Paralegals time is charged at $100 per hour. If I am doing a bankruptcy analysis to support an out-of-bankruptcy workout, or researching issues to determine the appropriate chapter, the charges are hourly. Any hourly fees charged usually will be given as credit against a flat fee. Chapter 7 fixed fees for a single person with only unsecured debt will start at $1500, exclusive of costs. Chapters 11 and 12 are handled on a hourly basis and retainers are routinely requested.

$275 for bankruptcy and insolvency legal services; $225 for state court matters. I do not accept contingency fee cases.

For bankruptcies, I give my clients an hour free with a paid hour. In other words, I charge $250 for a bankruptcy consultation that takes about two hours to complete. For State Court matters, I charge $225 an hour and give them a half hour free, in other words, the time it takes to understand their situation is on me. When it is time for advice, that is when I start implementing my fees.

I generally charge a flat fee of about $1,900 for a joint consumer Chapter 7 with no complications. In the District of Hawai'i we have court established Guidelines for a Chapter 13 Attorney Fees and I generally stay within that guideline which starts at $3,200. My retainers vary depending on the case and whether it is complicated or routine. Small business bankruptcies are typically $2,500 and up for a chapter 7. Chapter 11 or 12 can be much higher. I generally will charge $500 for a simple collection case; $800 for a landlord/tenant matter; $300 for a quit claim deed; and $300 for a landlord agreement. Since I do not concentrate in any one area, the legal services are customized for the client and individualized to fit their situation. This can result is lower fees. I do ask my clients to provide publicly recorded information and documents, which saves time and money and reduces delay in providing services. I also expect clients to be well-organized, which also keeps the cost down. A client who has done some homework and understands what they are asking for can be served less expensively, than a client who wants you to spend the time to educate them. That is where NOLO comes in: the NOLO publications are the best and can help a client understand what is needed and how best to prepare.