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Amy E. Clark Kleinpeter
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Amy E. Clark Kleinpeter
Law Offices of Amy E. Clark
630 E. Main Street
Suite 67
Alhambra, CA 91801
Phone: (626) 507-8090 | Fax: (626) 737-6030
http://www.amykleinpeter.com/
Caring counsel and relentless pursuit of justice.
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I accept clients who are harassed by debt collectors, have been unable to correct problems on their credit reports, and who are victims of fraud. In addition, I defend consumers in debt collection actions -- when consumers are sued on a credit card or personal loan, they can hire me to defend the lawsuit.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Credit Disputes
- Debt Relief
- Credit Repair
- Credit Restoration
- Creditor Harassment
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 2002
Bar Number: 223491
TX, May 2004
Bar Number: 24043761
Specialty Certifications
Not at this time.
Other Court Admissions
California State Court; U.S. District Court; Central District of California and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; Texas State Court
Association Memberships
National Association of Consumer Attorneys, Consumer Law Association of Los Angeles, and American Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I have attended an in-depth course on depositions sponsored by NITA (National Institute for Trial Advocacy). FDCPA conference put on by National Consumer Legal Center - 2007, 2009; National Consumer Law Conference -- 2009; and Trial Skills 3 day intensive seminar put on by American Board of Trial Advocates -- 2009.
Example Cases
Serrano v. Creditor's Interchange - represented consumer against harassing debt collector who called repeatedly at work - end in settlement.
Cantu v. Credit Solutions -- represented consumer who joined debt settlement company and was defrauded, sued on credit card debt and had credit scores go down - ongoing case.
Carrell v. Active Statewide Funding - Won $75,000 award for consumer who had been hurt by predatory home lender.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of Southern California Law School
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
2002
Honors:
I had an academic scholarship for all three years of school. I graduated in approximately the top 15% of my class.
Focus and Accomplishments:
I was production editor of the University of Southern California Review of Law & Women's Studies and a board member of the Public Interest Law Foundation.
I was proud to be on the Public Interest Law Foundation's executive board, where I was the co-chair of the annual auction fundraiser. In addition, I was president of the Women's Law Association at USC Law School.
Degree:
Masters
School:
University of California
City:
Riverside
State:
CA
Year:
2004
Focus and Accomplishments:
Plant Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
Hiram College
City:
Hiram
State:
OH
Year:
1992
Honors:
Phi Beta Kappa
Focus and Accomplishments:
I majored in Biology with an Economics minor. While in school, I played varsity women's soccer and was on the Environmental Awareness Club and the Outdoors Club. I enjoyed being a D.J. at the college radio station.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California and Texas
Firm Focus and History
I began my law career with two goals - fighting injustice and providing the highest quality work to her clients. I now focus my practice on civil litigation and personal bankruptcy, counseling clients who are looking for a fresh economic start, out from under the heavy encumbrance of debt-collectors. I have honed my skills and proficiency in both bankruptcy and litigation with extensive experience in pretrial advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, and jury trials. I have also provided pro bono advice at the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Clinic at the Free Legal Clinic of Los Angeles.
Previous Employment Summary
After teaching community college for several years, I realized my true calling was in helping people preserve their rights through the legal system. I have also provided pro bono advice at the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Clinic at the Free Legal Clinic of Los Angeles.
Activities and Awards
I volunteered with the Los Angeles Free Legal Clinic's pro bono bankruptcy clinic for two years. I currently volunteer with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I have great respect for individuals who educate themselves on their legal situation. I first got involved in law myself after having battled my own landlord armed only with the information I could find on the Internet. I helped a few neighbors as well and realized this was the field for me. I encourage all my clients to take an active role in their cases, particularly in bankruptcy as success depends on the client providing all necessary information and attending the mandatory credit and financial management counseling sessions.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
In consumer bankruptcy, the client must provide most of the information for the form documents themselves. However, my role is not just to help fill out forms, but to provide advice on the laws and the application of those laws to each individual client.
If a client has already filled out a bankruptcy petition prior to seeing me, I would review this document but only if the client was also willing to allow me to counsel them on the law and represent them at the meeting of the creditors. This is not a reflection on an individual client's skills; it is just that I cannot represent clients only half-way. By law, I am responsible for making sure each client is represented fully to the best of my abilities.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
No, for the same reasons provided above. The new bankruptcy laws include strict penalties for mistakes and while I do not discourage some clients from representing themselves in very simple filings, I cannot be involved in their case as that may make me responsible for all aspects of their filing.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
It was actually small legal problems of my own, and my neighbors, that propelled me into law school. We had some problems with our landlord and I researched the matter online. I realized there was no remedy for my issues, but I successfully helped my two neighbors and had a lot of fun doing it. I applied to and started at USC Law School within the year and I have never looked back.
After a few years of working for others, I started my own practice where I get to fulfill my goal of helping clients obtain fresh starts through bankruptcy as well as fight discrimination with my employment law cases.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Unlike many attorneys, I worked at different jobs in Los Angeles for several years before attending law school. At one time, I held down 6 part-time jobs as I juggled paying bills, keeping my dilapidated car running, still having fun with my friends and my family and all the tangled craziness of a full life. While I never went through bankruptcy myself, I was sometimes living paycheck to paycheck and I clearly understand how little it takes to push an honest, hard-working person over the edge into insurmountable debt. This experience helps me to better relate to my clients.
However, when I graduated law school I worked for a year in a large downtown law firm that catered to Fortune-500 business clients. I realized that working long hours representing large corporations was not the life I wanted, but that experience taught me a lot. I learned to pay attention to details and improved my quality of work. In addition, I gained understanding in how corporate attorneys (and judges that come from that background) view the world.
In my own practice, I provide the same high quality work I once gave to million-dollar clients to each individual I represent.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I greatly appreciate the bankruptcy system in the United States - it provides an honest resolution to debt problems and benefits both the debtor and the creditors. I am honored to represent my clients and help them achieve a fresh start on life through the bankruptcy system.
What do you like best about your career?
Easily, my favorite part of my practice is being able to help my clients.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo attorney and all work done on my clients' cases - from legal research to maintaining the files, from court appearances to faxing letters - is all done by me. This allows me to provide attention to each individual client.
What are your strengths and style?
Debt can be a burden both financially and emotionally. Because of the small size of my practice, I am able to offer individualized attention to each client. By listening to my clients, I gather the information I need to best apply the law and get each client the fresh start he or she deserves.
My style is best described as very direct and down-to-earth. I treat both my clients and opposing counsel with respect. I believe that laughter is the best way to keep sane, so I often laugh at problems even while I am trying to solve them. I am an aggressive litigator but try to keep personal animosity to a minimum, even in lawsuits, and I believe the fact that I love my job shows both in my work ethic and my positive attitude.
Personal Interests:
I am mother to a toddler and my free time is primarily his. I also enjoy playing soccer on the West San Gabriel Valley Women's League, cooking spicy foods with my husband, watching too many crime dramas on TV, and hanging out with my pets - two dogs and my blind cat, Daredevil.
Office Manager/Assistant
My assistant helps with some.
Fax
(626) 737-6030
Office Hours
My business hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. M, T, Th and F. I do not
offer weekend consultations, but I am flexible and will do what I can
to accommodate clients, including doing much communication on-line.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Unfortunately, not at this time.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I do fixed-prices for my debt collection defense cases, but the amount of fee varies based on the amount of work and the size of the debt.
Hourly Rates
I rarely charge an hourly rate – instead, my cases are contingency in nature where I am paid either out of the settlement or the judgment. In many of my cases, the companies being sued end up owing not only damage to my clients, but they pay my attorney fees as well.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, I offer a free initial consultation for some types of cases.
Typical Retainer
This depends significantly on the complexity of the matter. I will discuss the retainer at the initial consultation.
Many of my clients pay a retainer of $400 for the filing fee plus service of initial complaint and then my office advances costs until settlement or judgment is paid.
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.
