This lawyer cannot be reviewed
Stephen Edward Berken

PRO

Stephen Edward Berken

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 40 years

Chapter 13 bankruptcy Lawyer at Denver, CO
Practice Areas: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

1159 Delaware Street, Denver, CO

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Stephen

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy 48%

36 years

48%
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy 48%

36 years

48%
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy 4%

36 years

4%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2026 2025 2024
...
+ 6
Silver Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Colorado for 40 years

State: Colorado

Acquired: 1985

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Berken Cloyes, PC

1159 Delaware Street, Denver, CO, 80204-3607

berkencloyes.com/bankruptcy-attorney/

Berken Cloyes, PC

415 West Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 80905

berkencloyes.com/bankruptcy-attorney/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Stephen online.

Stephen Edward Berken's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

98 Client Reviews

Showing 6 - 10 of 12 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Scott | January 29, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Very thankful for excellent representation!!!

The end of my chapter 7 case is at hand and I am very grateful to Sean and Stephen for handling my case with such expertise. Throughout the process they explained every important detail and things proceeded exactly as they had predicted. The stress of everything was minimized because of this and woul...d recommend their represention to my family and friends if necessary. Well done!

Posted by Chuck | April 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

Amazingly capable attorney

No one ever wants to file for Bankruptcy but if you have to you want the best, right? I have worked with Stephen on several occasions for different issues. He and his staff have always been extremely knowledgeable and always made the right decisions and gave excellent advise! Stephen has a passion fo...r his trade that I rarely see these days. It shows in his results. Go ask any clerk at the courthouse who is the Bk attorney I want to hire and you will here Stephens name. BTW, that is how I found him 20 years ago.

Posted by Melinda | April 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Dynomite!!!!!! A diamond in the rough!!!$

I am extremely grateful to Steve and his staff for all their persistence, humor and patience for getting my bankruptcy Chapter 13 case in place. I work several jobs so it was almost difficult to get me to slow down and fill out the required paperwork. I also was in denial and had a little bit of sham...e for letting things get out of control. But Steve and his staff patiently worked with me to get all the filings completed on time. Steve is extremely knowledgeable and worked very persistently on my behalf with the court and the lawyers. I've been very impressed with how easy and smooth the entire process turned out to be. Filing for bankruptcy is not easy to do but I found that because of Steve and his firm, the Chapter 13 has been made easy to understand and achieve. I am now hopeful For A New Beginning!!!! Thank you Steve, you are the Best!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Rob | April 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

I had to file bankruptcy due to corrupt judges.

Stephen Berken is a very thorough intelligent attorney. He and his staff are always prompt and professional. He was recommended to me by a long time friend as the “best bankruptcy attorney in Colorado. “ I found this to be accurate. He understands my case and found the best solution for me.

Posted by Jonathan | December 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

Knows what he is doing - Especially complicated cases

My case turned out to be a very complicated case, involving a past bankruptcy, district court issues, etc. As far as complexity, I would say my case was at the top. Steve and his team knew how to handle the case, and corresponded very well with my other attorney handling my district court case. Unfor...tunately for Steve and his team, they also had to deal with an attorney on the other side that was the epitome of a primadonna, and had many different issues that was, well, entertaining in court to say the least. They handled issues arising from the other attorney with great speed and a great knowledge of bankruptcy and case law. His office is very friendly and straight to the point. I like the fact that they tell you what they actually expect and try and help you obtain a more favorable outcome anytime they can. I previously used a different attorney in the past, with terrible outcomes, and the differences can't even be compared. Steve has the knowledge, humor, and his office makes you feel better about your situation. I would recommend Steve's firm to anyone that needs help, don't hesitate to go see him.

See All Client Reviews

Stephen Edward Berken's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Stephen
Clark Daniel Dray headshot
Clark Dray

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Feb 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Stephen is a great asset to the Colorado bankruptcy community. He recently participated in an effort among local bankruptcy attorneys urging one of our Judges to adopt a more forgiving approach regarding a serious technical issue that has been harming people in Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Here's what the judge said about this effort: ". . . the Court concludes that the additional information and legal argument advanced by the Bankruptcy Practitioners Group is well-developed and very useful to the Court notwithstanding some duplication. The Court commends the members of the Bankruptcy Practitioners Group for their time and effort as well as dedication to the development of bankruptcy law in this important area of Chapter 13 practice.""

Kenton Harvey Kuhlman headshot
Kenton Kuhlman

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have Steve Berken for over 30 years and he is my go to attorney for all personal bankruptcy referrals. He has provided my clients and friends with top notch legal services for many years on all sorts of various legal matters involving both bankruptcy issues and other related matters. I recommend him highly."

Dennis Love headshot
Dennis Love

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Stephen for almost 10 years. Steve has been a cornerstone of the bankruptcy attorney's foundation in this state. His work is impeccable. I highly recommend Mr. Berken."

Jessica E Deal headshot
Jessica Deal

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I cannot say enough about Steve -- he is a pillar in the Debtors' Counsel community and an authority on bankruptcy law. He and his law partner Sean Cloyes are expert litigators and their clients are in the best hands possible. He makes miracles happen against all odds and against everything 17th Street creditors' counsel can muster."

Jon Bruce Clarke headshot
Jon Clarke

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He's the leader of the Colorado National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. He sponsors and lectures other attorneys in legal education seminars. He runs a private chat room for senior colleagues where current bankruptcy law and practice is discussed. The highest compliment I can give him is that I've referred many Chapter 13 clients to him over the thirty-plus years I've known him. He's a 10 in my book."

Gary Eric Merenstein headshot
Gary Merenstein

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Feb 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Worked on case with Steve for a mutual client and also have interacted with Steve on other legal matters involving bankruptcy and consumer protection issues over many years. Steve is top of the line. Steve is very knowledgeable in bankruptcy and consumer pro law. He is very professional, responsible and diligent in representing his clients."

Matt J. McCune headshot
Matt McCune

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | May 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Steve Berken is the alpha dog of the consumer bankruptcy community in Denver. If you have a messy case and need a lawyer who is not afraid of a fight, Berken is your man."

View All Endorsements
I Edward Huttner headshot
I Huttner

Divorce and separation lawyer

Kenton Harvey Kuhlman headshot
Kenton Kuhlman

Construction and development lawyer

Richard B. Wynkoop headshot
Richard Wynkoop

Consumer protection lawyer

Gary Eric Merenstein headshot
Gary Merenstein

Consumer protection lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2024

Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Consumer Bankruptcy, American Board of Certification

2016

Bankruptcy Attorney of the Year, 5280 Magazine

2014

Bankruptcy Attorney of the Year, 5280 Magazine

Work Experience

2016 - Present

Principal, Berken Cloyes, PC

Associations

2014 - Present

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, American Bankruptcy Institute

State Chair

Education

1984

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

University of California - Santa Barbara

Bachelor of Arts--Political Science

Speaking Engagements

2010

American Bankruptcy Institute

Around the World in 80 Days, Bankruptcy Case update

Languages

English

Spanish

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 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