William Joseph Balena

William Joseph Balena

also known as Bill Balena, William Balena

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 47 years

Chapter 7 bankruptcy Lawyer at Westlake, OH
Practice Areas: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, DUI & DWI ... +2 more

30400 Detroit Road, Suite 106, Westlake, OH

About William

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy 30%

Cleveland area chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney. Catch up past due mortgage payments, Strip off second and third mortgages when your first mortgage is under water.

32 years | 400 cases

30%
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy 30%

Elyria, Lorain, North Ridgeville, Cleveland chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney who helps people get out of debt. Remove judicial, judgment liens if your home is underwater.

32 years | 1,300 cases

30%
DUI and DWI 15%

Former city prosecutor. I defend DWI, DUI, OVI and DUS clients in the following courts: Elyria, Lorain, Vermilion, Oberlin, Rocky River, Berea, Cleveland, and the following mayor's Court North Ridgeville, Strongsville, Olmsted Falls, Independence, Brooklyn, Medina, North Olmsted, . Get your license back.

46 years | 2,000 cases

15%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket 15%

Defense of traffic tickets including speeding, reckless operation, marked lanes, red light, passing a school bus, and other offenses. Former Elyria City prosecutor.

46 years | 900 cases

15%
Consumer Protection 10%

16 years | 300 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Ohio for 47 years

State: Ohio

Acquired: 1978

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Balena Law Firm, LLC

30400 Detroit Road, Suite 106, Westlake, OH, 44145

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William Joseph Balena's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

3 Client Reviews

5 star (3)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Richard Mack | February 22, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Traffic Ticket Master...!!

THE BEST...!!! If you're looking for a knowledgeable attorney that will work hard for you, then search no further. It's hard to find an attorney, but I’d HIGHLY recommend Bill and would use him again if the need arises. The whole experience was so much easier on me because of him. Thank you Bill..!!

Posted by Ricardo | February 5, 2014

Stand up guy and amazing attorney!

When I called and set up my consultation I was pretty nervous but Nancy was so sweet and was able to get me in quickly and at a convenient time. When I got to the office another client was just leaving looking pretty happy, even cheerful. That threw me off a bit. When I met with Bill I understood why.... Bill is awesome. He understood my situation completely. He treated me like a person, with genuine respect and empathy. He took time to get to know me and I him. I never had a question he couldn't answer and he gave me sound advise and resources to help me along the way. He was great about laying out my options and giving me advise on each. I learned a lot from him and really appreciated his insight. He also made sure I knew what I would need to do and he kept things moving smoothly. At my meeting of creditors I witnessed how unorganized and unprepared some other attorneys were. My meeting went straight forward because Bill had all my ducks in a row. Bill is hands down the best professional I have ever encountered and a great guy in general.

Posted by Carol | April 15, 2010

My Attorney for 10 Years

I have known Bill Balena for over 10 years, and he has proven to be a fantastic attorney. He has helped me with my bankruptcy case and has saved my daughter from prison time. Recently Bill has saved my daughter from serious jail time. If anyone needs a compassionate attorney who really cares, please... contact Bill Balena

See All Client Reviews

William Joseph Balena's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse William
Matthew Aaron Mishak headshot
Matthew Mishak

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 08

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Attorney Balena on many cases as a prosecutor. He always worked hard for his clients."

Alan William Anderson headshot
Alan Anderson

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer | Oct 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this attorney. I have known him for over 30 years as a respected and knowledgeable member of the legal community."

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Angel Jacobs headshot
Angel Jacobs

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Nov 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I know Attorney Balena through a national organization, NACBA (National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys). Mr. Balena is always eager to help out his peers and is a valuable resource in bankruptcy/ debt matters. I endorse Mr. Balena."

Rula Raphael Raphael headshot
Rula Raphael

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer | Mar 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Bill is great attorney with many years of experience. I strongly endorse this lawyer."

William Paul Slough headshot
William Slough

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Feb 19

Relationship: Other

"I know Bill though the NACBA listserv. He is an excellent attorney who stays actively involved in the latest consumer issues affecting his clients. He also offers invaluable advice to other attorneys. Bill receives my highest recommendation."

Paul Andrew Griffin headshot
Paul Griffin

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jan 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Bill Balena is widely regarded as THE expert on bankruptcy law. I refer all of my bankruptcy cases to him."

Charles Ross Smith III headshot
Charles Smith

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer | Jan 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Balena needs no endorsement from me. His prodigious work on Avvo.com demonstrates his ability. Whenever I see his advic, it is dead on."

Jasen Bodie Nielsen headshot
Jasen Nielsen

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jan 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Balena is a frequent contributor to avvo, is very well versed in the complexities of criminal defense and bankruptcy, and fights for his clients. I endorse this attorney."

Alicia Letzo-Cantillo headshot
Alicia Letzo-Cantillo

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Oct 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Excellent choice for criminal and Bankruptcy."

Monica Denise Shepard headshot
Monica Shepard

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Aug 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Mr. Balena fully. I became acquainted with him through our mutual participation on legal listservs. I have a great deal of respect for him due to his wealth of substantive knowledge and his willingness to help fellow attorneys. I strongly recommend Mr. Balena and I'm honored to have him as a colleague."

Paul Dennis Staley headshot
Paul Staley

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Bill and I are fellow members of NACBA and participate in at least two listserv communities in common. Bill's posts are always right on the money. He's a respected colleague who knows what he's doing!"

Ryan Douglas Caldwell headshot
Ryan Caldwell

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I'm endorsing Bill based on our associations on various listservs and involvement in the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Bill has shown a willingness to serve his clients efficiently by adopting technology techniques that keeps costs down for his client, while continuing the great service of providing education and insight for each client."

Bret G. Nason headshot
Bret Nason

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jul 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Bill Balena is highly-respected by bankruptcy attorneys throughout the country. His advice on various professional listservs to which we both belong is helpful to all lawyers, whether they've been practicing for 5 months or 30 years. I recommend him to anyone dealing with financial problems."

Gary Ray Fraley headshot
Gary Fraley

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Other

"Bill is a prolific responder to questions on Avvo and other bankruptcy attorney forums. He is accurate and insightful in his answers. He is a fellow member of National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, THE leading organization for bankruptcy attorneys in the nation."

Michael J. Schewe headshot
Michael Schewe

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer | Jul 27

Relationship: Other

"Bill is a well-respected attorney and a frequent contributor on Avvo.com. I find his advice accurate and comprehensive. I would certainly recommend this lawyer for anyone looking for an attorney in his areas of expertise."

Robert James Doig headshot
Robert Doig

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jul 25

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. I have been following Bill's blog for the last several years. He always offers perceptive insights into the issues that face people who are struggling with the burden of debt, and helps them see that there is life after debt. It is obvious that he focuses his practice on pursuing the best options for his clients. He is the lawyer to whom I would refer potential clients in Cleveland or northern Ohio."

J. Anthony Rich headshot
J. Rich

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jul 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Bill is a trusted lawyer in our community who specializes in Bankruptcy/Debt law."

David Paul Miraldi headshot
David Miraldi

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Bill Balena is a consummate professional. He is knowledgeable, straight-forward, and detailed. Bill and his staff have the highest standards. In his representations, Bill provides clear advice and personal attention. He takes the time to explain legal issues to his clients, allowing them to understand those concepts and giving them confidence in the system. Bill is also known for his strong work ethic. All of these characteristics combine to make Bill Balena an outstanding attorney."

K. Hunter Goff headshot
K. Goff

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Aug 24

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

View All Endorsements
Matthew Aaron Mishak headshot
Matthew Mishak

Criminal defense lawyer

Mary Bresnicky McKee headshot
Mary McKee

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Paul Andrew Griffin headshot
Paul Griffin

Criminal defense lawyer

Jonathan C. Ginsberg headshot
Jonathan Ginsberg

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Rustin Scott Polk headshot
Rustin Polk

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

William Paul Slough headshot
William Slough

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Stephen Edward Daray headshot
Stephen Daray

Divorce and separation lawyer

James Spyros Gemelas headshot
James Gemelas

Divorce and separation lawyer

Rula Raphael Raphael headshot
Rula Raphael

Criminal defense lawyer

Alicia Letzo-Cantillo headshot
Alicia Letzo-Cantillo

Criminal defense lawyer

Charles Ross Smith III headshot
Charles Smith

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Shawn Neely Wright headshot
Shawn Wright

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Bret G. Nason headshot
Bret Nason

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Monica Denise Shepard headshot
Monica Shepard

Criminal defense lawyer

Ryan Douglas Caldwell headshot
Ryan Caldwell

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Robert James Doig headshot
Robert Doig

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Paul Dennis Staley headshot
Paul Staley

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Bruce C Truesdale headshot
Bruce Truesdale

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Gary Ray Fraley headshot
Gary Fraley

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Jeena Jeehyun Cho headshot
Jeena Cho

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

1992

Past President Award, Lorain County Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn

Work Experience

1995 - Present

Attorney, Balena law Firm

1989 - 1995

Partner, Petroff & Balena

1985 - 1989

Managing Attorney, Solo Practice

1983 - 1985

Associate, West, West, Sherman and Petroff

1981 - 1983

Prosecuting Attorney, City Of Elyria

Associations

2014 - Present

Lorain County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section

Section Leader

2009 - Present

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

Member

2000 - Present

Ohio State Bar Association, Banking, Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Committee

Member

1992 - Present

Lorain County Bar Association

Member

1991 - 1992

Lorain County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

President

1979 - 1980

Cuyahoga County Bar Association

Chairman Young Lawyer Section

Education

2015

Student Loan Workshop

certificate

1983

Ohio State Highway Patrol

Certificate

1981

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

Criminal Procedure for Prosecutors

1981

Northwestern University School of Law

Short Course for Prosecuting Attorneys

1981

Cuyahoga County Bar Assn

Civil Trial Advocacy Institute

1978

Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Juris Doctor

1975

Pennsylvania State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2014

Intersection of Bankruptcy and /divorce

Bankruptcy and Divorce

2013

Top 9 Complications in Bankruptcy

Means Test Complications

2010

What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Foreclosure Law

Foreclosure and Cleveland Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

2009

Criminal Law Update

2009 OVI Law Changes

Publications

2012

Legal Times of the Lorain County Bar Association Untether With Dropbox

2012

Legal Times of the Lorain County Bar Assn. Own Your Name In The Online World

Languages

English

German

Activity

Avvo Rating

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