Bankruptcy Laws, Bankruptcy Attorneys:

Bankruptcy laws have recently changed, and many people mistakenly think that bankruptcy is no longer an available option for them. Actually, Bankruptcy is still the right move for many consumers facing financial difficulties. Genser & Watkins LLP represents individuals, couples, and business clients in bankruptcy, consumer protection, debt relief, and predatory lending matters. Our firm helps clients eliminate their debt and keep their exempt assets, and explains complicated bankruptcy laws and the effect they have on credit. Our legal team is dedicated to providing clients with experienced representation, individual attention, and affordable fees. Our consultations are free.

Our legal team is customer-service oriented. We have a reputation for providing personal attention for each of our clients, and are meticulous in the work that we do for them. We spend time getting to know our clients and their problems, and we respond quickly to any questions or concerns they might have. We assist clients with many of their debt-related legal problems and questions including:

	Chapter 7 bankruptcy
	Chapter 13 bankruptcy
	Recent changes in bankruptcy law
	Stopping foreclosure
	Mortgage problems and solutions
	Debt problems and solutions
	Differences between bankruptcy and debt consolidation
	Rights in bankruptcy
	Life after Bankruptcy

About Genser & Watkins, Bankruptcy Attorneys:

For two generations the attorneys at Genser & Watkins LLP have advised and represented businesses and individuals in the greater Bay Area, with offices in Point Richmond and Emeryville and practices in Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, and Marin Counties. Genser & Watkins LLP focuses on issues relating to personal bankruptcy, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, business, real estate, and litigation, in cities including Oakland, Emeryville, Point Richmond, San Pablo, Berkeley, El Sobrante, San Rafael, Albany, El Cerrito, Hercules, Alameda, Pinole, Kensington, Vallejo, Lafayette, San Francisco, and Marin.

Call 510.237.6916 and speak directly with one of our attorneys to review your situation and determine what Genser & Watkins LLP can do for you.

Two Locations to Serve Bay Area Clients

Client Reviews

A+ Lawyer! Couldn't Ask For Any Better!
Posted by: Joe, a Chapter 7 client.

I recommend Leonard Watkins.
I used Leonard 1-3 years ago.
Leonard handled my Bankruptcy / Chapter 7 matter.
I have previously worked with no lawyers.
Client Review:
Len is an extremely friendly, kind, and smart man. He helped me through the entire process, start to finish, and explained anything i had questions on in a fashion that was professional yet still had that personal touch. Some lawyers pawn most tasks off on to their assistants, but Len took the time to talk to me on the phone whenever i needed to speak to him, and he himself represented me in person instead of sending an assistant. I simply cannot rate Len high enough!

"Len,

 May you and your family have a Blessed Christmas and all the Best in 2012.

 Thank you for being there for me during my worst time in life.

You made me laugh, comforted me in my sad moments and you handled my

Business with the upmost respect and professionalism.

 I am especially Thankful to GOD for your presence in my life.

 Always,

Brenda"

Chapter 7 client with adversary proceeding.

Excellent Attorney
Posted by: a Chapter 7 client.

• I recommend Leonard Watkins.
• I used Leonard 1-3 years ago.
• Leonard handled my Bankruptcy / Chapter 7 matter.
• I have previously worked with 1-2 lawyers.

Client Review:
If one needs a attorney who is straightforward, knowledgeable and expedient then Mr Watkins should be your choice. Legal papers are filed and completed in a timely fashion, however, this means that the client must complete there necessary paperwork in the same manner.

As in choosing a physician, you want someone who has performed many
of the procedures not one or thirty percent but seventy to one-hundred
percent. Mr Watkins falls into the latter group.

Communication is another aspect that is of paramount concerns to those who are not in the legal profession and I was no exception. Mr Watkins and staff addressed all questions and concerns immediately and this made a stressful event very palatable.

Thanks
Posted by: a Chapter 7 client.

I recommend Leonard Watkins.
I used Leonard 1-3 years ago.
Leonard handled my Bankruptcy / Chapter 7 matter.
I have previously worked with no lawyers.
Client Review:
Dear Len,

I would like to thank you for an excellent job you have done for both my husband and I. It is a sigh of relief to know that we are protected under the bankruptcy law. It has been so stressful for many many months but now at least I know that we can start fresh. It will still be a struggle and can only hope we get back to the normal way of things.

We are very satisfied with what we feel is a personalize interaction between you, as our attorney and us, as your client. I am in awe on how all this quickly came into fruition, in less than a month! I'm glad we chose you from a list of many.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXX

P.S. ...I will jump for joy when the bankruptcy court discharges our case :-)

Very knowledgeable, highly competent, excellent service
Posted by: a Chapter 7 client.

I recommend Leonard Watkins.
I used Leonard 1-3 years ago.
Leonard handled my Bankruptcy / Chapter 7 matter.
I have previously worked with 3-5 lawyers.
Client Review:
I unfortunately had to file for personal bankruptcy, and was seeking a good BK lawyer. My case was complex due to an unusual combination of income, assets, and the need to file individually while being married. I first contact two from personal referrals, but was not satisfied with either of them. Then I did my own search, found Len, and went for a consultation.

Beyond his extensive knowledge of the bankruptcy laws, as is expected, Len's greatest strengths are three:

1) he appears to be intimately aware of specific areas that each trustee in the county seems to focus on, thus helping avoid a potentially contentious filing.

2) he grilled me extensively on every aspect of my finances to make sure he gets all the details right before the filing. Sure, it took longer and felt very awkward, but at the end, it ensured a smooth process post-filing. Having heard of cases where lawyers did not do such a good job and were caught by surprise during the 341, this is important.

3) he tells it like it is, and was able to steer me towards better decisions throughout the entire process, even when I was initially convinced I should do something else.

Beyond that, he was always able to calm me down when I started panicking, as going through a bankruptcy is never fun, and having someone be able to confidently and calmly answer irrational questions when emotions get a hold of you is a godsend.

I have already referred a couple of folks to Len and will continue to do so. He is worth every penny.

Brilliant and Sincere Lawyer
Posted by: a Real Estate client.

I recommend Leonard Watkins.
I used Leonard more than 3 years ago.
Leonard handled my Real Estate matter.
I have previously worked with 1-2 lawyers.
Client Review:
I highly recommend Len Watkins. He is a brilliant, honest and extremely trustworthy attorney. Len cuts through to the truth and communicates it in a concise and accessible way. His legal expertise and years of experience together with his sincere personality make him an unshakable ally. Len's competence and comfort in the courtroom made a strong positive impression on the judge and helped our case immensely. I would absolutely call on Len Watkins for future legal needs.

J. R.
Fairfield, CA, 2/15/2011

For me, bankruptcy was a scary prospect.  I'm so glad I went to Leonard Watkins for help.  Just talking with him put me at ease.  He is definitely knowledgeable, reliable and makes a stressful situation more tolerable.

If you are looking for a personable, professional attorney who is there when you need him, works hard for you and answers all your questions and concerns, I suggest you call Leonard Watkins.

J.C.
Fairfield, CA, 4/5/2011

I had a great experience with Genser & Watkins.  Len Watkins filed my bankruptcy case.  I felt uneasy about filing, but since Len is very knowledgeable and reassuring, I was able to get over my fears.  He definitely made me feel like he was diligently working on my case and answered all of my worries.  He is easy to reach and very professional.  Everything went smoothly.  I recommend calling Genser & Watkins.

David C.
Pleasant Hill, CA, 7/11/2011

I've known Len and trusted his advice and wisdom for over 20 years.  You'll get the straight, smart, answers you need with the ability to see the big picture of complex issues with a human touch.  I highly recommend his services.

Laura R.
San Ramon, CA, 12/28/2010

It was around the holidays 1 year ago that  I was googling for BK lawyers in the East Bay. I want to help a relative who needs to file for BK. I had phoned so many lawyer offices, and Len Watkins was the only one who answered. From there I knew, he is the lawyer we are looking for. He offered 1 hour free legal advice, we met him and my relative used him and now he is debt free. He walked him through the process, he is very patient, calm and caring. Being a real estate professional that I am, I had recommended Len Watkins to all my friends and colleagues and personal clients.-  Laura R

Real Estate Practice:

There is one other area of the law which is most important to high quality bankruptcy practice - Real Estate Law. Real estate issues come into play in almost every bankrutpcy case. Sometimes the issues relate to foreclosure, ownership, title, sale, of a home or real estate investment property. Often real estate issues come up in connection with renting and landlord tenant matters. Genser & Watkins LLP has decades of experience in real estate matters . . . experience which the attorneys bring to every bankruptcy case.

Genser & Watkins LLP brings an experienced approach to all aspects of its real estate practice. The firm represents a diverse clientele in the Bay Area. Clients range from individual buyers and sellers, to developers and large corporations. While there is never a “typical” client matter, most of the firm’s real estate work involves sales, long term leases, sale-leasebacks, acquisitions, financing and the development of large-scale commercial properties. A sophisticated real estate practice, the firm blends its extensive experience with individual attention that larger firms are hard-pressed to match.

Among the real estate services Genser & Watkins LLP, provides are:

Purchase and Sales – including purchases and sales as well as real estate rights, the negotiation and acquisition of property rights, the sale and purchase of joint venture interests, LLC memberships and other membership interests.

Real Estate Development – encompassing operating, shareholder and partnership agreements (for ownership and management), as well as the formation of LLC’s for real estate development.

Commercial Leasing – representing landlords and tenants in negotiation and performance of commercial leases.

Zoning and Regulation – including variance applications, certificates, permits and other municipal approvals.

Residential Real Estate – representing individual real estate clients including homeowners, developers and investors.

Construction – covering all legal matters relating to construction, including general as well as subcontractor contracts.

Real Estate Litigation – representing commercial real estate owners and commercial tenants in all aspects of real estate disputes.

Bankruptcy Articles:

What bankruptcy can and cannot do

Filing bankruptcy? Disclose everything, hide nothing

A chapter 7 bankruptcy overview

When chapter 7 bankruptcy isn’t the right choice

When chapter 7 bankruptcy is better than chapter 13 bankruptcy

An overview of chapter 13 bankruptcy

Reasons to use chapter 13 bankruptcy instead of chapter 7 bankruptcy

Rebuilding Credit FAQ

How to clean up your credit report

Can the chapter 13 trustee dismiss my case if I’ve missed a couple of payments

Why shouldn’t I reaffirm my credit card debts in bankruptcy

Can I refinance after bankruptcy?

Getting a credit card when you have bad credit

The new bankruptcy law; changes to chapter 7 and 13