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Virginia Elizabeth Fortunato
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About Virginia
Biography
Ms. Fortunato always wanted to be an attorney. She knew that she wanted to help people. Bankruptcy law allows her to help her clients obtain the fresh start they are entitled to by law.
She specifically enjoys fighting mortage abuse by lenders. All to often mortgage servicers are taking advantage of homeowners. She fights the mortgage lenders and servicers on behalf of her clients fighting for loan modifications, damages, and attorneys fees.
She is happily married and has a one-year-old son. She loves dogs and has a dog named Maxie.
Ms. Fortunato loves to spend her time by the ocean. She also loves to scrapbook.
Do you need a fresh financial start? Are you overwhelmed by debt? Let me help! Call 201-299-4957!
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
46%
22 years | 500 cases
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
45%
22 years | 2,000 cases
Debt Settlement
5%
Bankruptcy and Debt
3%
22 years | 2,500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 495-495 per hour
Pro bono
5 %
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
Awards
2025 2021 2020
...
+
9
Licenses
Licensed in New Jersey for 21 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Virginia online.
Virginia Elizabeth Fortunato's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
143 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Recommendation (67)
Practice Area Knowledge (55)
Professionalism (48)
Case Results (40)
Communication Style (40)
General Knowledge (31)
Character & Conduct (29)
Compassion (29)
Responsiveness (29)
Advocacy (27)
Trustworthiness (20)
Cost of Services (8)
Punctuality (4)
Free Consultations (2)
Staff & Support (2)
Payment Plans (1)
Showing 86 - 90 of 143 reviews
Posted by Lisa | December 13, 2013
Decision was not difficult after meeting Ginny!
Ginny is amazing. After meeting with Ginny we knew we found the right lawyer! Ginny is not only knowledgeable but kind hearted and compassionate which makes all the difference in the world. Ginny took her time, gave us advise, answered ALL our questions and what we thought would be the most diffi...
Posted by Ruben | December 06, 2013
What a difference the right attorney makes...
Virginia “Ginny” Fortunato is a consummate professional. Bankruptcy is her only specialization, and as such, she is extremely knowledgeable about bankruptcy law and the bankruptcy process. My personal experience started with another attorney who did absolutely nothing for six weeks. I made the decisi...
Posted by N. Holmes | November 06, 2013
Best Lawyer
Filing bankruptcy is a very difficult decision. For months as things progressively got worst I decided to do some research and seek out an attorney for an consultation. As many people needing services I looked on the internet I found several and started setting up appointments. I had an appointme...
Virginia Fortunato
Replied last November 07, 2013It was my pleasure to help you! I truly enjoy helping people who are in difficult situations. I simply treat my clients the way I would want my family members treated if they were having financial difficulties and sought bankruptcy counsel. In fact, I have had close family and friends out of state have to file for bankruptcy. Although I could not file for them because I am only licensed in New Jersey, I have sat with them on the other side of the table. Just sitting with my family through the process was a humbling experience and gave me a very different prospective. Best of luck to you! You are a bright young lady with a promising career ahead of you.
Posted by Marlene | October 02, 2013
Knowledgeable, trustworthy and friendly
My husband lost his job and was unemployed for many years. Loss of income, combined with our high mortgage payment, made life extremely difficult. We were barely surviving (living paycheck to paycheck). We considered bankruptcy but couldn't bring ourselves to do it, we always pay what we owe. Then we...
Virginia Fortunato
Replied last October 02, 2013Thank you Marlene for your feedback. It is my goal to make the process as smooth as possible and to give you all the information needed for you to make informed decisions. So glad the Chapter 7 Discharge will give you the fresh start you and your family so well deserved. Best of luck in the future!
Posted by anonymous | August 14, 2013
Ms. Get It Done!!!
I would absolutely without hesitation recommend Virginia. I called her on a Saturday afternoon, she listened to my disaster of a story, told me what I needed to gather and bring to her office on Tuesday, and by Tuesday night my bankruptcy was filed with the state. She is fast, efficient and gets it...
Virginia Elizabeth Fortunato's Lawyer Endorsements
"Ginny is as good as it gets when it comes to bankruptcy law in the State of New Jersey. She is well known by her colleagues and the court for her zealous representation, professionalism and expertise in the area of bankruptcy law. I have referred many people to her over the years and they have all praised her compassion, attention to detail and understanding of complex bankruptcy matters. Ginny's knowledge in the areas of foreclosure and mortgage modification make her an invaluable asset to her clients. I highly recommend Ginny to anyone facing the difficult decision to file for bankrputcy."
"Virginia is a bulldog and there is no one that will fight harder for you. What more do you really need to know? She is highly knowledgeable in her expertise and is constantly striving to know more. I highly recommend her!"
"Virginia is not only an amazing human being but the best bankruptcy lawyer a client can retain! She cares about her clients and truly advocates for them in order to achieve what is right for their case. She is effective and professional. I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I have worked with Ginny on several matters and would highly endorse her. She is an excellent attorney and truly cares about her clients. I would trust her to represent my family members."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Ginny Fortunato since we clerked together in the Criminal Division of the Bergen County Superior Court. During that time, I knew Ginny would be a success in whatever field she was going to practice. During that time, she was ambitious and aggressive and still is. Sure enough just as I knew back then, today she has become renowned and a well respected attorney in her field of Bankruptcy. The two best qualities that describes Ginny would be: Genuine and caring with her clients. When trying to resolve a problem she also thinks outside the box. I proudly endorse Ginny Fortunato."
"Ginny is a dedicated consumer advocate. She is compassionate, smart and tenacious. She fights hard for her clients. I recommend her without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is highly qualified to handle consumer bankruptcy matters."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Virginia for a number of years. Her zeal in applying her extensive knowledge of bankruptcy law to the benefit of her clients has been readily apparent. I presently work with Virginia on the Lawyers Advisory Committee, Chapter 13 subcommittee. Virginia is also active with the Bankruptcy Inns of Court and NACBA"
"Highly professional and knowledgeable. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Virginia since she started out and she has become one of the top bankruptcy professionals. Any client who has her as their counsel has a true professional representing them."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ginny is a zealous advocate for her clients and is easy to talk to."
"Ginny is an attorney with excellent reputation for her knowledge and passion in the bankruptcy/foreclosure area of law. She is well respected and liked by attorneys and judges in this field."
"I endorse this lawyer as a true professional in the area of consumer bankruptcy law."
"Ginny is by far a steam roller in Court. She crushes the creditors. She knows what she knows and gets what she gets. And Ginny is well respected by the judges."
"Virginia Fortunato is an intelligent, articulate, dedicated, thoughtful and personable attorney who zealously represents her clients who are going through difficult and stressful times. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking advice for bankruptcy. David Giller, Esq."
"I recently met Virginia through the Inns of Court. She is very experienced in the area of bankruptcy and a leader in this practice area's bar. She is certainly someone to whom I will refer clients when I am in over my head."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is amazing. She is also very knowledgeable and a leader in the bankruptcy bar. She knows the judges and trustees and works hard to make the system work for debtors."
"Ginnie's experience and aptitude in complicated bankruptcy cases is several cuts above the rest. She has learned from the best by attending the nationally recognized Max Gardner's Bankruptcy Boot Camp, and is a regular member and participant in the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. This commitment and confidence shows in her fearless cutting edge work against mortgage companies."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ginny and I worked together for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee Marie-Ann Greenberg, Esq. Ginny knows everything there is to know about bankruptcy. She is constantly on the cutting edge of the law. She is aggressive on behalf of her clients and one of the most zealous advocates I know. Ginny will not steer her clients in the wrong direction and always, always does right by her clients. She is brilliant, energetic, has the highest of morals, and, importantly, is a very nice person. I think Ginny is one of the best bankruptcy attorneys in our area and would recommend her to anyone in need of such services."
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Experience
Honors
2014
Top Bergen Lawyers, (201) Magazine
2013
Rising star, Super Lawyers
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2011
Appointed as a Committee Member (2011-2013), Lawyer's Advisory Committee (U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey)
1997
Cum laude, Rhode Island College
1997
Hawkins Award, Rhode Island College Sociology Department
Work Experience
2011 - Present
Virginia E. Fortunato, Esq., Virginia E. Fortunato, L.L.C.
2005 - 2011
Virginia E. Fortunato, Esq., Mark Goldman, PC
Associations
2012 - Present
Max Gardner's Bankruptcy Boot CampRe-Boot Boot Camp Graduate and Member
2011 - Present
Bergen County Bar AssociationMember
2011 - Present
Rugters Law School's Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project (Newark)Advisory Board (Advisor)
2011 - Present
Lawyers Advisory Committee (LAC) for the US Bankruptcy Court, District of New JerseyCommittee Member
2008 - Present
Max Gardner's Bankruptcy Boot CampBoot Camp Graduate and Member
2006 - Present
NJ Continuing Legal Education (NJ-ICLE)Lecturer
2005 - Present
Bankruptcy Inn of CourtBarrister
2005 - Present
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA)Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Fighting Back Against Mortgage Lenders and Servicers
Loan Modifications
Education
2001
New England School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
Rhode Island College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
New Jersey Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Classes taken through out the year, every year.
N/A
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Speaking Engagements
2015
Intake For Volunteer Lawyers For Justice (VLJ)
Pro Bono Consumer Bankruptcy Seminar/Intake
2013
Rutgers University Pro Bono Project
Bankruptcy- Client interviews and 341 hearings.
2013
New Jersey Annual Bench Bar Conference
Consumer Bankruptcy Issues
2013
Mortgage Seminar
Mortgage and Bankruptcy Seminar
2012
Bankruptcy American Inn of Court of NJ
Bankruptcy
2011
Bankruptcy American Inn of Court NJ
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
2011
Bankruptcy American Inn of Court NJ
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cases
2011
Bankruptcy American Inn of Court Mid-Monthly Meeting (NJ-CLE)
Initial Client Consultation
2010
Seton Hall Law School's Legislative Law Journal Symposium
The Status of the law since the 2005 bankruptcy amendments.
2010
Bergen County Bar Association Bankruptcy and Ethics
Bankruptcy
2007
New Jersey Continuing Legal Education (NJ-ICLE)
Basic Bankruptcy Skills
2007
New Jersey Annual Bench Bar Conference
Mortgage Abuse Issues
2006
New Jersey Continuing Legal Education (NJ-ICLE)
Basic Bankruptcy Skills
2006
New Jersey Annual Bench Bar Conference
910 Issues
Publications
2008
New Jersey Law Journal
Learning the Art of Bankruptcy Warfare
2007
New Jersey Law Journal
Mortgage Lenders and Their Attorneys Accused of Foreclosure Overcharges
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
In NJ, can a creditor take my car if they get a judgement against me for unpaid credit card debt?
05 Nov 2011
Q&A
Chapter 13 - How much of the debt is reduced permanently from the start?
26 May 2011