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Bill Cherbonnier
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Bill Cherbonnier
William G. Cherbonnier, Attorney at Law
LLC 2550 Belle Chasse Hwy.
Suite 101
Gretna, LA 70053
Phone: (504) 309-3304 | Fax: (504) 309-3306
Bankruptcy as necessary.
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I have no preference.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Debt Relief
- Chapter 11
- Business Bankruptcy
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
Bar Admissions
LA, Oct 1973
Bar Number: 04031
Other Court Admissions
Louisiana State; U.S. 5th Circuit Court; and Louisiana State Court.
Association Memberships
Louisiana State Bar.
Continuing Education
I attend classes in and teach continuing legal education classes. I attend NABCA seminars and give lectures for various organizations. I also attend a set of seminars at the National Association of Consumer Advocates each year.
Example Cases
The CDP attempts to intervene early at the state, parish, and city court levels on behalf of consumer debtors who are being sued by debt scavengers. Instead of rolling over and allowing a default judgment to be entered against the consumer, a formal appearance is entered and discovery is propounded to determine the validity of the debt and the legal standing to sue of the plaintiff. Settlement options are explored and bankruptcy alternatives are offered if needed but only if needed.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Tulane University
City:
New Orleans
State:
LA
Year:
1973
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Louisiana
Firm Focus and History
We do predominantly bankruptcy and consumer law. Our consumer law practice consists of collection defense, Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). For our bankruptcy division we do Chapter 13 and Chapter 7, debt reorganization for individuals. Also have a collection intervention division where we help clients handle their creditors, and defend them.
Previous Employment Summary
I graduated from Tulane Law School and was admitted to the bar at age 23. I have been practicing, mostly solo, for 34 years.
Activities and Awards
2006 Distinguished Service Award from the New Orleans Pro Bono Project.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am all in favor of people educating themselves, but they need to understand that a little bit of law is a dangerous thing. If they are going to learn the law they have to be prepared to spend a lot of time doing it and there is no substitute for an actual attorney.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
No, I am not willing to review documents prepared by clients. I don't think it is a good idea for people to represent themselves.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I don't think it is a good idea for people to represent themselves. I think any time you are being sued by a lawyer you should have a lawyer you should have one as well. There are always attorneys available to help with your case.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
For eleven years, I was an unpaid New Orleans Police Reserve Officer. I learned a lot that they don't teach you in law school or anywhere else, but most significantly I learned what it's like to be shot at, that evil really does exist, and that most people who live in the housing projects are honorable and decent people who lead lives of quiet desperation.
Also, after my wife died, for the first time in my life I found myself on the receiving end of harassing, abusive, and sometimes vicious phone calls from collection agencies. I realized that the horror stories my clients had been telling me for the past 25 plus years were not exaggerations, and the experience changed my outlook from a consumer advocate to a consumer crusader.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Bill cites as his most significant legal work the formation post-Katrina of The Collection Defense Project ("CDP"), for which he was honored with the 2006 Distinguished Service Award from the New Orleans Pro Bono Project. The CDP attempts to intervene early at the state, parish, and city court levels on behalf of consumer debtors who are being sued by debt scavengers. Instead of rolling over and allowing a default judgment to be entered against the consumer, a formal appearance is entered and discovery is propounded to determine the validity of the debt and the legal standing to sue of the plaintiff. Settlement options are explored and bankruptcy alternatives are offered if needed but only if needed.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
As a great supporter of the NACBA, I believe consumer bankruptcy has become a genuine specialty; a field of law that the general practitioner is no longer able to enter, and does not desire to enter. The commitment of time and staff necessary to build a profitable bankruptcy practice, which requires specialized knowledge, dedicated software, and a certain volume of cases, also makes it difficult for the competent bankruptcy practitioner to practice any other kind of law. Now more than ever does the individual consumer bankruptcy lawyer need a professional association such as NACBA.
What do you like best about your career?
The best thing about my career is being able to help lots of people.
Tell us about your law firm:
Technically a solo practitioner with a practice in Gretna, Louisiana, Bill has forged a formal professional relationship with two other attorneys to help with the volume of his work. All of his consumer bankruptcy cases are co-counseled with fellow-NACBA member Bowdre Banks, and all of his tort/personal injury cases are co-counseled with a personal injury specialist.
What are your strengths and style?
I am very passionate about helping consumers get out of debt and away from the harassment that comes with this area of bankruptcy.
Personal Interests:
As a single parent, Bill is very involved with his two daughters, both of whom are avid and accomplished swimmers and frequent attendees at NACBA and NACA conventions.
Office Manager/Assistant
Sue, Rosa, and Patrick
Fax
(504) 309-3306
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Speak and read a little French.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
A basic, uncontested Chapter 7 bankruptcy begins at $1,000 to $1,495.
Chapter 13s are fixed by the court and we offer payment plans for them.
Hourly Rates
We give all of our prospective clients a fee schedule.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, we offer a free initial consultation. The amount of time varies on a case by case basis.
Typical Retainer
A Chapter 7 requires payment in full.
The Chapter 13 fees are regulated by the bankruptcy court. The initial retainer varies on a case by case basis.
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 applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
