Joseph Leo Bernwanger

Joseph Leo Bernwanger

4.6
Rating: 1.0

Licensed for 17 years

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer at Flat Rock, MI
Practice Areas: Bankruptcy & Debt, Criminal Defense, Family, Estate Planning

26330 E Huron River Drive, Flat Rock, MI

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
See Details

About Joseph

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Debt 70%

A big part of Bankruptcy practice is helping people through what can be a stressful, traumatic experience. My goal is to provide legal expertise, understanding and compassion, and guide you through the process without surprises. Many people beginning the bankruptcy process feel like a loser or a failure. My hope is that you leave my office feeling like a great weight has been lifted and realize the fantastic opportunity of a fresh start.

18 years

70%
Criminal Defense 15%

I can help with drunk driving charges, traffic matters, and other misdemeanor offenses.

18 years

15%
Estate Planning 5%

I can prepare wills, durable powers of attorney, and durable healthcare powers of attorney (living wills).

18 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 150-250 per hour

Contingency

25%-33%

Pro bono

10 %

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 17 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2008

Discipline suspension

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2025

Location

Complete Michigan Legal Solutions, P.L.L.C.

26330 E Huron River Drive, Flat Rock, MI, 48134

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Joseph Leo Bernwanger's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (9) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Danny | December 30, 2013 | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

bankruptcy, no problem with Joe

Had a great experience. Was really down and out and he explained every step of the way and kept me informed. I was a borderline case to get a ch. 7 and he assured me I would get it and I did! I would recommend him to anyone looking for a bankruptcy lawyer.

Posted by Teresa S. | August 21, 2012 | Foreclosure

A Lawyer With a Heart

My husband and I received a foreclosure letter from our mortgage company and retained Mr. Bernwanger to accompany us to our meeting with the bank.We left keeping our house and having lower payments.When we thought we were losing everything,Mr. Bernwanger treated us with so much respect,like we were... family.I've recommened him to other people without hesitation.Thank you Mr.Bernwanger

Posted by anonymous | August 13, 2012 | Real Estate

Great Lawyer Affordable Prices

Joe handled my short sale process for me. He gave me excellent advice and was able to explain questions to me in a way that I could understand. He was available anytime of day and was very affordable. Overall, Joe made a tough process very easy for both me and my family. I'd definitely hire him a...gain.

See All Client Reviews

Joseph Leo Bernwanger's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Joseph
Clinton J. Hubbell headshot
Clinton Hubbell

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Oct 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Joe is an excellent lawyer who gives pragmatic, and goals-oriented advice that gets his clients results. He is dedicated, hard-working, and has the experience to make navigating the most difficult issues seem easy."

Bruce K. Warren Jr. headshot
Bruce Warren

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Jul 22

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Joseph is a great advocate for consumers dealing with debt and debt collection issues."

Gregory G. Dean headshot
Gregory Dean

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Bernwanger is an excellent attorney whom I have known for a number of years. His devotion to his clients, and his skill as an attorney, are unparalleled. I respect him so much that I, a fellow attorney, have referred him to my own family member."

Dylan James Duvall headshot
Dylan Duvall

Family lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He provides quality representation and is knowledgeable in his practice areas."

Bryan M. Beckerman headshot
Bryan Beckerman

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Bernwanger is an extremely competent and professional attorney well versed in all aspects necessary to assist an individual with a variety of bankruptcy and debt related issues."

Brent Francis Vullings headshot
Brent Vullings

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Aug 14

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Joe and I have worked on several consumer protection matters together in the past and I will have no hesitation to do so in the future. Joe is a true advocate for his clients and an asset to the consumer protection and bankruptcy bars."

Donald C. Wheaton Jr. headshot
Donald Wheaton

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"Mr. Bernwanger is devoted to the best interests of his clients. He has a gentle and unassuming approach, but he tenaciously and thoroughly pursues his clients' best interests. It was my pleasure to supervise him for more than a year and I proudly consider him a colleague on whom I can rely for assistance."

View All Endorsements
Laura M. Griese headshot
Laura Griese

Estate planning lawyer

Jason J. Kucmierz headshot
Jason Kucmierz

Criminal defense lawyer

Charles J. Schneider headshot
Charles Schneider

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Brent Francis Vullings headshot
Brent Vullings

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Dylan James Duvall headshot
Dylan Duvall

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Clinton J. Hubbell headshot
Clinton Hubbell

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Donald C. Wheaton Jr. headshot
Donald Wheaton

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Experience

Rating:  1.0 (Extreme Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025.

Suspension issued in MI, 2025

updated on 07/23/2025

Suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Suspension issued in MI, 2018

updated on 07/19/2018

Suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Work Experience

2009 - Present

Managing Partner, Complete Michigan Legal Solutions, P.L.L.C.

Associations

2009 - Present

Downriver Bar Association

Member

2008 - Present

Consumer Bankruptcy Association

Member

2008 - Present

Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Bankruptcy Adversary Proceeding

Case was settled. Debt was discharged.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2008

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law

Juris Doctorate

2004

Wayne State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution