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Paul M. Hollender

Paul M. Hollender

Corash & Hollender P.C.
1200 South Avenue
Suite 201
Staten Island, NY 10314

Phone: (718) 442-4424  |  Fax: (718) 273-4847
http://www.silawfirm.com

Contact Paul M. Hollender

We Listen, We Care, We Help, Board Certified

Legal Topic

Bankruptcy

Preferred New Clients

I focus on consumer bankruptcies (Chapters 7 and 13), as well as business matters (Chapter 11) and creditor representation.

Sub-Categories

Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 7
  • Collections & Repossessions
  • Credit Disputes
  • Debt Relief
  • Garnishments
  • Chapter 11
  • Business Bankruptcy
  • Credit Repair
  • Credit Restoration
  • Creditor Harassment
  • Personal Bankruptcy
  • Foreclosures

Bar Admissions

NY, Jan 1976
Bar Number: 1092402

Specialty Certifications

American Board of Certification, in both Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Business Bankruptcy Law

Other Court Admissions

U.S. District Courts of the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court

Association Memberships

American Board of Certification, Director, 2006 - Present
American Bankruptcy Institute
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
New York County Lawyers Association, Chairman, CLE Seminars, Ethical Issues for Bankruptcy Lawyers; The 2005 Bankruptcy Amendments.
Brooklyn Bar Association, Member, Committee on Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy Bar Bulletin, Editor in Chief (1989-1991), Editorial Board (1982-1991)
Richmond County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Notes Editor (1983 - Present), Director (1981-1987)
Richmond County Bar Association, Fee Arbitration Chairman (1995- 1998), currently a committee member.
New York State Bar Association
Bankruptcy Lawyers Bar Association, Board of Governors, 1982 - 1991
Staten Island Family Service, Board of Directors, 1986 - 1989
American Bar Association
Network of Bar Leaders, Treasurer (1992 - 1995)
Presentation of Testimony, May 1997 to National Bankruptcy Review Commission on Behalf of the New York County Lawyers Association, Regarding Small Business Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Reorganizations

Continuing Education

I often engage in speaking and educational programs, having served as chairman of a CLE seminar that was sponsored by the New York County Lawyers Association entitled Ethical Issues for Bankruptcy Lawyers, and panelist/presenter of two programs on the 2005 Bankruptcy Amendments: one just prior to enactment, and a second a year later. As a Board-Certified Bankruptcy Attorney, I am required to take at least 20 hours of continuing education per year, which is far in excess of the minimum requirements for non-certified attorneys.

Papers and Publications

I am a contributor to the New York State Bar Journal and the New York Law Journal. In addition I write a newsletter entitled Bankruptcy Notes, which guides attorneys and accountants on the impacts of Bankruptcy Law. I also provide a newsletter directed towards consumers. I am a regular contributor and served for many years on the Editorial Board for the Bankruptcy Bar Bulletin, eventually becoming Editor in Chief in the late 1980's.To read some of my publications please visit my website: http://www.silawfirm.com.

Example Cases

I represented an Enron affiliate in the Enron Bankruptcy, obtaining a $1.5 million recover against the parent corporation. I have defended a small business owner against suit by bankruptcy trustee seeking to recover $650,000, resulting in dismissal of case. I helped file a Chapter 11 reorganization for a computer manufacturer, international fashion designer Paolo Gucci, and numerous small family businesses. Also, I have represented thousands of ordinary people, saving their homes from foreclosure, and enabling them to live revitalized lives after putting past problems (and credit card debt) behind them.

Education

Degree:

B.A.

School:

State University of New York

City:

Buffalo

State:

NY

Year:

1971

Honors:

Magna Cum Laude

Focus and Accomplishments:

Student coordinator for international students. Organized first "Walkathon" in a major city in the US, with 20,000 walkers raising funds for various charities.

 

Degree:

J.D.

School:

University at Buffalo Law School

City:

Buffalo

State:

NY

Year:

1975

Number of Attorneys

10

State Licensed In

New York

Firm Focus and History

From our founding in 1977, we have focused on meeting the legal needs of businesses and individuals. Our attorneys and staff continue to follow these basic principles: 1) treat your clients with respect; 2) listen to their concerns with care and compassion; and 3) work with them to develop cost-effective solutions to their problems.

We have developed a well-known bankruptcy practice that focuses on helping individuals with Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 filings, helping businesses with Chapter 11 filings, and helping creditors protect their rights in the bankruptcy process. In addition, our attorneys focus on other civil matters and commercial matters such as:
• Debt negotiation and credit repair
• Business formation
• Conducting business
• Buying and selling businesses
• Business succession planning
• Commercial and residential real estate transactions
• Real estate litigation
• Landlord tenant
• Construction law
• Franchising
• Immigration
• Matrimonial
• Employment Discrimination
• Wills and estates
• Copyright and Trademark
• Financial planning
• Commercial litigation
• Alternative dispute resolution

Previous Employment Summary

I have worked for the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, as a Confidential Law Assistant.

Activities and Awards

Martindale-Hubbell legal directory peer-selected for coveted "AV" rating. 2007 peer-selected as a "Super Lawyer" for the NYC Metropolitan area. Member of Mediation Panels for U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I believe self-education is always a starting point for an intelligent consumer prior to entering into a legal matter, to help identify and evaluate options. Nevertheless, it is always dangerous going it alone, since hidden traps are not readily apparent to the inexperienced.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Client-prepared documents are valuable for the limited purpose of stating in plain English what a client's objectives are. They should be used as a guide in drafting enforceable legal documents, not as the operative legal documents themselves, because they may overlook critical legal issues.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I don't think it is wise. Either you are represented by a lawyer or you are not. Lawyers must recognize that they must operate in partnership with a client, but should not abdicate their responsibility to perform legal functions, and thereby leaving their clients at risk.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I enjoy helping people who are facing serious problems and are unable to solve them on their own. I find difficult situations personally challenging and it gives me great pleasure to engineer successful resolutions.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

I have found in life that people are often faced with not-anticipated and sometimes life-changing events caused by circumstances beyond their own control. Moreover, the occurrence of such difficulties crosses all socio-economic sectors: nobody is exempt from these forces. Recognizing this enables me to have true empathy for all my clients, and motivates my work.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

It was purely by accident, how I got into bankruptcy, but I truly enjoy the work I do.

What do you like best about your career?

The best thing about my career is when I have worked hard to achieve a difficult, and well-deserved result for a client, and they show their appreciation for the efforts of myself and my staff.

Tell us about your law firm:

Our attorneys are accomplished legal professionals, each with a particular area of expertise. Our staff members are very special. They go out of their way to assist and please our clients, and the thank-you notes we have received from clients reflect a recognition of the caring nature of our staff-members. We work as a team to handle the many client matters that cross traditional subject matter lines. Other lawyers, accountants, and similar professionals know of our reputation for high-quality legal work and refer their clients to us. We work with many clients who have been referred to us by satisfied friends, relatives, business associates, and other attorneys. The regard of the community and our legal colleagues is an important indicator of the high quality of the work we do.

What are your strengths and style?

Our firm motto, "We listen…We care…We help," is something that each attorney, paralegal, and support staff member takes very seriously. We work hard every day to make this slogan a reality.

Personal Interests:

I enjoying swimming, skiing, gardening and home improvement work, as well as spending time with my beagle.

Office Manager/Assistant

Kasey

Fax

(718) 273-4847

Office Hours

Monday and Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday we have evening hours from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Foreign Languages

Spanish

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

Chapter 7 fees generally range from $2,500 to $3,500 depending upon the complexity of the case. Where there is a high amount of debt or a problematic matter, a success fee will also be charged. We focus on providing the highest quality legal services, and always structure affordable payment plans for fees. Our philosophy is that filing for bankruptcy in the federal court is a serious matter, which should not be undertaken without extensive preliminary investigation and analysis due to the potential risks and traps for the unwary. Too often, people only think of the opportunity to discharge credit card debt without fully analyzing the way a Trustee will view the facts. We attempt that analysis before it is "too late," and counsel our clients as to various bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy options.

Hourly Rates

$350 for partners; $300 for other attorneys.

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, I offer a free initial consultation. I spend as much time as is necessary to develop a custom list of options for each client. Usually this ranges from 1 to 1.5 hours. We also provide a free follow up meeting if required.

Typical Retainer

The initial deposit to get started ranges from $500 to $1,000.

Understanding Fees

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