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Marlene G. Weinstein
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Marlene G. Weinstein
Law Office of Marlene G. Weinstein
1111 Civic Drive
Suite 380
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: (925) 942-5100 | Fax: (925) 933-3801
http://www.marleneweinstein.com/
Representing Debtors and Creditors
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I will work with anyone who needs help if they are willing to work with me and are willing to do some of the work to organize their documents, otherwise it will be a very expensive process.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Debt Relief
- Garnishments
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
CA, Jan 1978
Bar Number: 79429
Other Court Admissions
U.S. District Court Northern District of California
U.S. District Court Central District of California
U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
Association Memberships
Alameda County Bar Association, Contra Costa Bar Association
Continuing Education
I always have far more credits than is required by the state bar.
Papers and Publications
"Computer-Assisted Legal and Tax Research", Prentice Hall, 1986
"A Professionals Guide to Lexis" (Co-Author), Westlaw and PHINet
"Highlights of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1944", Contra Costa Lawyer, 1995
"Bankruptcy Discharge Issues and Family Law", Contra Costa Lawyer, 1997
"The Bankruptcy Trustee---A Creditor's Friend" Guest Editor of October Issue Devoted to Bankruptcy and Creditor's, Contra Costa Lawyer, 1999
Example Cases
I was one of the Lawyers involved in Melvin Belli's Bankruptcy case.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
State University of New York College
City:
Buffalo
State:
NY
Year:
1973
Honors:
Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Sociology
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Golden Gate University School of Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1977
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Here at the Law Office of Marlene G. Weinstein, I provide a bankruptcy law practice focusing on the representation of debtors, creditors, and bankruptcy trustees in business and consumer bankruptcy cases. Special emphasis on bankruptcy cases involving family law and tax issues as well as the potential effect of bankruptcy and debt issues on marital settlement agreements.
I am a debt relief agency and help people file for protection under the bankruptcy code.
Previous Employment Summary
Kornfield, Paul & Bupp, P.C.: Senior associate at bankruptcy and commercial law firm. Responsible for all aspects of federal and state court litigation arising in connection with the representation of debtors, creditors and bankruptcy trustees in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 cases (Oakland, CA; 1991 - 1994)
Law Office of Marlene G. Weinstein:
General practice devoted mainly to family law and bankruptcy cases as well as participation in special projects, including appointment as "Keenan" counsel to represent defendant in capital case, and retention by West Publishing Company as consulting expert witness on use of Westlaw and Lexis to assist counsel in preparing for copyright infringement trial. (Concord, CA; 1987-1991)
Activities and Awards
Classes/Seminars Taught:
The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994 and Family Law, Contra Costa Bar Association, Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section, November 9, 1994
Bankruptcy Issues in Family Law, Alameda County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section, November 21, 1994
The Effect of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994 and Recent Court Decisions on Family Law Cases, Contra Costa County Bar Association, Family Law Section, January 11, 1995
Family Law and The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994, Bar Association of San Francisco, Family Law Section, January 25, 1995
Bankruptcy Issues in Family Law, Southern California Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, October 31, 1998
Bankruptcy Issues in Family Law, Southern California Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, June 5, 1999
Bankruptcy Issues in Family Law and Vice Versa, 1998 Family Law Conference of the California CPA Education Foundation, 12/9-10/1998
Family Law Issues in Bankruptcy, Contra Costa County Bar Association MCLE Spectacular, November 19, 1999
How to Collect on a Judgment, Eastern Alameda County Bar Association of the Alameda County Bar Association, June 16, 2000
Bankruptcy and Domestic Relations, Alameda County Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section, June 20, 2000
How to Collect on a Judgment, Alameda County Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Committee, October 25, 2000
The Spectre of Bankruptcy in Real Estate Transactions, Contra Costa County Bar Association MCLE Spectacular, November 17, 2000
When D.I.V.O.R.C.E. Spells Bankruptcy, Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum, June 27, 2001
Family Law and Bankruptcy Law, San Francisco Bar Association, Family Law Section, April 16, 2002
Bankruptcy/Family Law Workshop, Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum, December 2002
Bankruptcy and Family Law, The Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, April 2004
Bankruptcy and Family Law: Recent Developments and Complex Issues, The Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section of the Alameda County Bar Association, April 19, 2004
Bankruptcy and Dissolutions, National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees Annual Convention, San Diego, California, September 10, 2004
Effect of the New Bankruptcy Act on Your Family Law Practice, The Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, February 8, 2006
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I believe clients having some awareness of an area of law are helpful; however, it can be dangerous because there are so many nuisances depending on the specific facts of a case.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Generally no, based on issues related to legal malpractice insurance. The only exception is with respect to marital settlement agreements where a divorce attorney is also involved.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
No
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I really wanted to go to art school, but I was advised it would be difficult to make a living. When I graduated college I knew I needed to go to graduate school. The only options seemed to be medical school or law school. I knew I didn't like blood so I applied to law school.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I did receive my certification to teach in college, and after graduating from law school took a job teaching other attorneys how to do legal research on computer. I continue to give seminars and attend seminars so that I am aware of changes in the law. I believe my ability to teach is helpful in my dealings with my clients because I try to help them understand not only the process but the goal of making changes in their financial lives that really helps them achieve a fresh start.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I minored in Math in college and working with numbers comes easy to me. In 1991, after having had experience in criminal, family, and bankruptcy law, I was given the opportunity to work with a bankruptcy boutique firm in Oakland. That experience allowed me to focus my energies and develop an expertise that allows me to help people in difficult situations, and also to get involved in cases involving unique legal issues.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the feedback I get back from individual clients when they let me know that I have made a difference in their lives. That's what makes it all worth while.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo attorney; however, I share space with four other attorneys that practice different areas of the law. We have Jan, our receptionist and several others have assistants. We also have Sasha, one of the attorney's dogs who is at the office on a daily basis.
What are your strengths and style?
I represent debtors -- individuals and owners of small businesses, creditors, and chapter 7 trustees appointed by the court to administer a debtor's bankruptcy estate.
Therefore, I bring to the table the knowledge and experience of analyzing a case with an awareness of how the other interested parties may examine and question the financial affairs of a debtor.
Prior to limiting to bankruptcy law, I had a family law practice. As a result, I have developed an expertise in, and an understanding of, the issues involved in a bankruptcy case where a divorce is imminent or pending and or in cases where only one spouse seeks to file for protection under the Bankruptcy Code.
I can be aggressive if necessary, but believe that negotiation and settlement serves everyone's best interest.
Personal Interests:
I am a pastel artist and my inspiration is nature -- therefore I spend a lot of time hiking and camping in unique places.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(925) 933-3801
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Emergency after hours by appointment only.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I follow the guidelines set by the court for Chapter 13 cases. Chapter 7 representation is based on the facts of the cases but will be generally be quoted on a flat fee. The average "simple" Chapter 7 case will range between $1,000 - $1,500.
Hourly Rates
$300 - $350
Free Initial Consultation?
I will generally speak to prospective clients on the phone to elicit the issues and documents that I will request be brought to the initial consultation; however, the initial consultation is charged on an hourly basis with the fee for the consultation usually being applied to the flat fee charged for the bankruptcy representation.
Typical Retainer
It varies depending on the work contemplated. It can range from $500 - $5,000.
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.
