William Drysdale
Law Office of William Drysdale, LLC
1900 North California Boulevard
8th Floor
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Map
Phone: (925) 287-6491 | Fax: (925) 287-6492
http://bankruptcydrysdalelaw.com
Helping Debtors Make a Fresh Start.
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
Individuals, couples, corporations and partnerships
Bankruptcy, Estate and Gift Tax, and Political Asylum
Preferred fields are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy law
Bar Admissions
MT, Oct 1983
Bar Number: 2885
Other Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Association Memberships
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, San Francisco Bar Association
Continuing Education
I take continuing education courses every year to keep abreast of changes in the law.
Papers and Publications
Lincoln University Law Review, San Francisco, CA, 1983, First Amendment Topics
Example Cases
U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals, In Re Juarez, Interim Decision No. 3066, 1988
Won a political asylum case on appeal of an unfavorable ruling by the U.S. Immigration Court.
Education
Lincoln University Law School
J.D.
San Francisco
CA
1983
1983 Law Review
University of San Francisco
B.S.
San Francisco
CA
1970
Major in Mathematics
Minor in English
Number of Attorneys
One
State Licensed In
Montana
Firm Focus and History
Practice is limited to federal law.
Preferred fields are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy law.
Previous Employment Summary
Estate and Gift Tax Attorney, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, 1991-2007
Various positions in the graphic arts industry
Activities and Awards
Addressed the Fresno, Kern County and Santa Clara County Bar Associations on Estate and Gift Tax law.
Lincoln University Law School Law Review
Department of the Treasury National Performance Award for Superior Effort and Dedication to accomplishing the Goals and Mission of the IRS.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am very much in favor of clients educating themselves on legal issues. It helps the client feel comfortable with the legal process and makes communication with the client easier and more effective.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
No. The necessary coaching would probably take longer than it would take to prepare and file the petition. Bankruptcy is a fairly technical area of the law and there is a higher risk of delays and a greater chance of an unsatisfactory outcome when debtor's represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Working as a lawyer gives you the opportunity to help people manage many of life's big problems. None of my other career options seemed to offer that advantage.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My college major, mathematics, helped me develop a logical approach to problem-solving and my minor, English, helped develop careful reading and clear writing skills, essential attributes for lawyers.
During my sixteen years with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, I developed legal research skills,
wrote case assessments, made oral presentations to small and large groups and negotiated settlements with taxpayers.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
There are two reasons for my decision.
Firstly, bankruptcy law has a fairly high ratio of successful outcomes compared to many other areas of law practice. Litigation in other fields often results in a win loss ratio closer to fifty percent.
Secondly, I have a degree in mathematics and I worked on complex cases for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for sixteen years. I found this background to be helpful in bankruptcy practice.
What do you like best about your career?
I like helping honest people get back on their feet.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner. I have an office in downtown Walnut Creek.
What are your strengths and style?
I am a good listener. I remain available to my clients throughout the bankruptcy process. I generally return missed calls within 24 hours.
Personal Interests:
Photography, domestic and foreign travel, hiking, tennis and pro bono projects.
Fax
(925) 287-6492
Office Hours
09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. Monday to Friday
Emergency After Hours: Evenings
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None. Clients with limited English skills may bring an English-speaking friend or relative to our conferences.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Chapter 7 cases vary between $1,200.00 and $1,800.00, depending on the complexity of the case.
Chapter 13 cases require a retainer of $1,800.00. The balance of the fee is determined by court rules and is paid over the three to five years of the court determined repayment period.
Hourly Rates
$250.00 to $300.00, depending on the complexity of the case.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes. A free, no-obligation, in-person or telephone consultation of thirty minutes is available.
Typical Retainer
My typical retainer for Chapter 7 cases varies from $1,200.00 to $1,800.00.
For Chapter 13 cases my typical retainer is $1,800.00.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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