$ 140-350 per hour
About L
Biography
- I practice in bankruptcy, unfair collection practices, debt defense, student loan, and wrongful repossessions and foreclosures.
- I'm a founding member of the Bankruptcy Law Network () and a regular contributor to the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and the Bankruptcy Roundtable listservs, two specialized bankruptcy forums on the Internet.
- I've mentored bankruptcy practitioners throughout the Commonwealth and an original member of the local bankruptcy court rules committee.
- I'm recognized by my peers as an expert in consumer bankruptcy issues.
- My clients rate me "excellent" in client surveys.
- Among my successes are:
- Stopping foreclosure deficiency notices after a bankruptcy is filed. Silva v. Harmon, D MA 2003 (CA 01-30140-MAP).
- Punishing an out-of-state law firm controlling in-state bankruptcy litigation. BNA v. Steele, Bankr D MA 2003 (02-4137).
- Allowing conversion from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 without having to immediately pay a Chapter 7 trustee's fees.
- Permitting a Chapter 13 plan to be more affordable by forcing the use "liquidation" value for keeping unprotected assets, less the estimated fees of a hypothetical Chapter 7 trustee.
- Obtained immediate Chapter 13 protection from creditor harassment without having to pay attorney fees first.
- I am at the cutting edge in the region for mortgage defense litigation. My greatest pride is in avoiding needless, costly litigation and risks for my clients by successful pre-filing planning and by well-grounded attacks on unlawful creditor practices.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Bankruptcy and Debt
100%
49 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Massachusetts for 43 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1982
No misconduct found
Licensed in Michigan for 47 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 1978
No misconduct found
Location
Berliner Law Firm
1441 Main St, Ste 601, Springfield;, MA, 01103-1450
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L Jed Berliner's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
5 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Posted by Gerry | August 31, 2020 | Hired Attorney
bankruptcy
Mr. Berliner was very professional and he did not make me feel uncomfortable. When I met him he did rush rush me. He was very thorough going over my case.
Posted by Matthew | February 15, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Worth every penny! Just hire him!
Jed is an excellent attorney. He effortlessly guide my wife and I through a very difficult time with the best outcome possible. With Jed, you definitely get your money's worth! And with that, you get his stellar reputation within the local court system. When he speaks, people listen and do not questi...
L Berliner
Replied last February 15, 2020Wow!! I am flattered. Thanks so much.
Posted by Reinaldo | January 05, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Mr. Berliner is the best in the business!
I would like to preface by saying this was a difficult situation altogether. I did not know what to expect. I read reviews online and found Mr. Berliner to have a lot of recommendations and many people trusted him. After consulting with Mr. Berliner, I knew I had to hire him to help with my situati...
L Berliner
Replied last January 05, 2020Thank you!
Posted by Buzz | November 17, 2014 | Bankruptcy & Debt
A Very Grateful Couple
My wife and I tried so many ways to avoid bankruptcy including a credit counseling service. No longer able to work (I've been disabled with pancreatic cancer for the past nearly 5 years) our financial dilemma had us in a tail spin. When we finally so Jed's ad in a local paper and called him we wer...
Posted by M.J. | January 23, 2012
Knowledgeable and Friendly
Both Jed and Meghan were great to work with. Knowledgeable and friendly, easy to work with and made the whole process move along quickly. If you did your part there was no delay. I would defenately recommend them to anyone who needed their services. Thanks again for all your help!
L Jed Berliner's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney L. Jed Berliner is an attorney with an incredible wealth of experience and is a very effective attorney for his clients."
"Jed's knowledge of bankruptcy law is impressive -- and I have been privileged to have received his help in the past on bankruptcy matters for my own clients. I endorse Jed because he is friendly, hard working, smart, and personable. I would refer my friends or family to Jed."
"Jed is known nationally as one of the smartest consumer bankruptcy lawyers in the country. He has provided me, and many other lawyers, with his reasoned opinion and advice on complex consumer bankruptcy matters."
"Attorney Berliner is one of the most respected Bankruptcy attorneys in Massachusetts. I trust his judgement. I appreciate his active participation in Bar events, his talks and training discussions. For many years Attorney Berliner has actively worked hard to protect his client's rights, under the law. For these reasons and more, I endorse Attorney Berliner."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jed KNOWS the law and keeps abreast of it as it evolves. He quickly learns the relevant facts. He is a very strong advocate for his clients."
"Jed Berliner is one of the most well respected Bankruptcy Attorneys whose knowledge of Bankruptcy is encyclopedic such that other Bankruptcy Attorneys like myself seek his wise counsel, experience and advice relative to some of the more complicated matters in Bankruptcy. Jed is easy to talk to, friendly and down to earth. Jed takes the time to explain the process to his clients in a way that is easy to understand and answers questions in such a way that his caring and compassion shines through. Clients who retain Jed are lucky to have an advocate who is dedicated to providing outstanding service to his clients, fellow counsel and the Court."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Berliner is well known as a bankruptcy law expert and other attorneys turn to Mr. Berliner for his expertise and advise."
"Jed is one of the lawyers with whom I regularly consult on intricate or unsettled areas of bankruptcy law. His knowledge is encyclopedic, and I know from looking at several of his cases how much he cares about his clients' problems and how hard he works to achieve their goals -- even when those goals sometimes cause him to be unpopular with judges and creditors' counsel."
"Jed is an inspiration for both his knowledge and tenacity in client representation in bankruptcy matters. He is not afraid to call it as it is or question authority. He will be your champion in court and your defender against creditors. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to my closest friend or relative."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Jed and I are both members of the National Assoc. of Consumer Bankruptcy attorneys. Although we practice at different ends of our state we communicate regularly about interpretations of the bankruptcy law and how to use it to best help our clients. Even though I have been in practice for over 30 years I can honestly say a day doesn't go by that I do not learn something new or a new twist to an old problem from my contacts with Jed. I consider him a valued collegue. He is an extraordinarily knowledgable fellow who will go to hell and back to help his clients. Five stars!"
"I endorse this lawyer's work. He's a strong contributor on the National Assn of Bankruptcy Attorneys listsshowing hus depth of knowledge, skilled judgment, and willingness to share with his community. 10.0 on the scale."
"Jed is a seasoned professional. His knowledge of bankruptcy is encyclopedic and his commitment to the field is extensive. He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and has consistently contributed to the improvement of bankruptcy laws and relief for consumers. I can think of no Massachusetts lawyer I would rather refer a client to."
"I have been a friend and colleague of Jed's since 1999, working with him in a variety of venues. Jed is, simply, one of the nicest, most caring, understanding and thoughtful human beings I have ever met. Those qualities translate into his legal practice, enabling him to take a thoughtful and educated approach to solving the problems presented by his clients each day. This is the lawyer I'd send my family members to if they were in Springfield, MA and needed a bankruptcy lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2014
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1987
Certificate of Appreciation, Massachusetts Bar Association
Work Experience
1989 - Present
Owner, Berliner Law Firm
1985 - 1988
Head of Trial Practice Division, Kamberg, Berman
1982 - 1984
Associate Attorney, Silverman and Kudisch
1977 - 1982
Staff Attorney, Upper Peninsula Legal Services
Associations
2007 - Present
Bankruptcy Law NetworkFounding Member
2006 - Present
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesMember
2006 - Present
National Association of Chapter 13 TrusteesAssociate Member
1996 - Present
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember
1982 - Present
American Bankruptcy InstituteMember
2001 - 2002
Hampden County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Bench-Bar CommitteeChair
Sample of Legal Cases
In re Puffer (Puffer #2)
Bankruptcy court reversed; lawyer should have his fee.
In re Puffer (Puffer # 1)
Circuit level appeal successful; No outright prohibition of fee-only Chapter 13 filings where debtor does not have all Chapter 7 fees upfront before filing.
Giza v. Deutsche Bank, et al
Ch 13 debtor may have mortgage removed if insufficient notices given, lender's motion to Dismiss DENIED.
MBNA v. Steele, Bankr D MA 2003 (02-4137)
Settled
Silva v. Harmon, D MA 2003 (CA 01-30140-MAP)
Class action settlement
Education
2012
Bankruptcy Boot Camp
Certificate
2012
Fair Debt Collection Practices Boot Camp
Completed
1977
University of Kansas School of Law
Juris Doctor
1972
Cornell University
A.B.
Speaking Engagements
2013
Webinar
Attorney Fees in Chapter 7 & Chapter 13
2013
Members-Only Workshop
Attorney Fees in Chapter 7 & Chapter 13
2013
Members-Only Workshop
Due Diligence Information Searches
2010
Spring State Chapter Meeting
Trustee Meetings and Unsettled Issues of the New Law
2010
Fall State Chapter Meeting
Means Test Concerns
2010
Fall 2010 Meeting
Case Law Updates
2004
Annual Conference
Consumer Bankruptcy Law Office Management
1987
New Local Rules of the federal District Court
Subset: The First Ten Rules
1980
Organizational Conference
Overview of Supplemental Security Income
Publications
2007
Bankruptcy Law Network
ongoing blogs on consumer bankruptcy issues
2007
Mortgage Law Network
ongoing blogs on foreclosure defense issues
2005
Letters For Bankruptcy Lawyers: Essential Communications
contributor
1980
Clearinghouse Law Review
Supplementary Security Income, A Practical Overview
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I live with my spouse and our child in her parents home. I need to claim bankruptcy and am unsure how to proceed.
01 Sep 2023
Q&A
Forecloce
19 Apr 2023
Q&A
I co-signed a private loan through Sallie Mae. My daughter agreed to pay. Last summer she received 26,000 from Unemployment.
04 May 2022