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Attorney John C. Colwell is a Certified Legal Specialist in Bankruptcy Law. This prestigious honor was bestowed upon him by the CA Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of CA. John C. Colwell is one of only 12 certified legal specialists in San Diego County for Bankruptcy Law. Attorney Colwell is also the Immediate Past President of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and has dedicated his practice to consumer bankruptcy since 1985.
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Practice Areas
42 years | 3,000 cases
42 years | 10,000 cases
42 years | 7,000 cases
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 1985
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121 Broadway, Ste. 533, San Diego, CA, 92101-5022
46 Third AVe., Ste. D, Chula Vista, CA, 91910
122 Civic Center Drive, Ste. 204, Vista, CA, 92084
26 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Debt Settlement
Posted by Wendy | December 05, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Help with financial stability with Debt Relief Legal Clinic
Mr. Caldwell works hard to get all paperwork finalized at my pace. He never pushes the customer as he truly understands the meaning of the customer is always right. I've been working with him for over 20 years. Since I was 21 when I had medical bills I couldn't pay and now trying to recover the covid...
Thank you very much for your kind words and recommendation. As you know, reviews can be very helpful for folks who are in financial pain but have no idea where to turn. Your experience has been drawn out, but thankfully solutions do exist, even in the most dire situations. Glad to have been of service and congratulations on your fresh start! John C. Colwell, Attorney, 877-663-3287 Debt Relief Legal Clinic [email protected] www.DEBTCLINIC.com
Posted by anonymous | September 15, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Call him and feel free
Very strong lawyer dedicated and friendly and confidencial and very strong helpers Daniel and Lupe,are very help full and friendly, you will happy with debt relief legal clinic
Thank you very much for your review and kind comments. As you know, we here at the Debt Relief Legal Clinic strive to help our clients through their financial pain, in a manner that is caring and fair. Filing a bankruptcy is not an easy choice, but it can be the best choice and we help folks make that informed decision. Congratulations on your discharge of debt, well deserved. John C. Colwell, Attorney, 877-663-3287 Debt Relief Legal Clinic [email protected] www.DEBTCLINIC.com
Posted by Michael | March 25, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Chapter 13
I had 5 maxed out credit cards, I owed the IRS, had a 590.00 dollar a month car payment, I owed on personal loans, and now I only pay 360.00 dollars a month total.
Thanks for your review and comments! It is amazing what a well calculated Ch. 13 case can do. Wonders, if presented properly. We're glad to have helped you reduce your outstanding monthly payments and get control of the credit cards, the IRS and the car payment. Congratulations on getting your case approved! JCC
Posted by Justin | March 12, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Bankruptcy Completed Successfully
Debt Relief Legal Clinic is a great firm to have faith they will get you to the goal you desire. After my previous attorney closed his business, my case was transferred to DRLC and was a bit of a shock. This clinic provided all support to calm my nerves, had an answer for every question we came up wi...
Posted by Terry | July 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
He was the best we could have hoped for
I do not normally write reviews but John Colwell was such an outstanding experience and with his skill as a lawyer in this area. I hope I can convey what a help and comfort he was in a very difficult complicated transaction. We were in jeopardy of losing our home of many years because of a predator...
Thank you very much, Terry. I remember your case and the troubles and uncertainties we worked through to the successful conclusion. The outcome was extraordinary, under the circumstances, I know you would agree. We're very happy that your experience with our office was 'above and beyond'. We strive to achieve that level of representation for all of our clients. Congratulations to both you and your wife for hanging in there and helping get your situation resolved. It was a pleasure helping you out. JCC
"I highly recommend John Colwell. Not only is he a well-respected bankruptcy attorney in his community, he is known nationwide as a leader in the bankruptcy area of law. He's been the President of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) for two terms. He worked with Senator Wieckowski's office to help change California's homestead exemption laws to protect homeowners. He's worked on and is working on legislative efforts at the federal level, as well. His experience and the compassion he shows his clients is extraordinary. I am honored to be his colleague."
"I endorse this lawyer. Why? If all attorneys providing answers on AVVO took the time to completely try and answer a question in detail showing like Mr. Colwell does, their knowledge, accurate and complete and thorough advice, then AVVO would have the cream of the crop. Look at all his answers to questions and you can see why John is entitled to such a great endorsement. Great job and appreciated by a peer in Washington State. I highly recommend this attorney for any bankruptcy-related work."
"John Colwell is an excellent bankruptcy attorney. He provides his clients with wonderful representation. He is knowledgeable and hardworking. John is a real leader in the national bankruptcy community. It is a pleasure to work with him. I endorse this lawyer!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known John for many years. He is an outstanding consumer bankruptcy lawyer with a national reputation. He is a director of the National Assn. of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, a 5000-member attorney group, and he speaks regularly on bankruptcy issues."
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
2018
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Certified Specialist, State Bar of California
2000 - Present
Managing Attorney, Law Offices of John C. Colwell, a PLC dba Debt Relief Legal Clinic
1994 - 2000
Associate Attorney, Debt Relief Legal Clinic - Reed V. Langlois
1989 - 1993
Associate Attorney, Debt Relief Legal Clinic - George Ritner
1985 - 1988
Associate Attorney, Law Offices of Michael H Dodge
1994 - Present
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember, Board of Directors, President 2017 -
N/A
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2009
2000
San Diego County Bar Association Free Law Day
2000
CA Credit Union Collectors Council Convention
1999
Bankruptcy Attorneys Convention
1997
Continuing Legal Education
Spanish
Legal Answers
Checking to see if I can still keep my truck on a seven or 13 bankruptcy
26 Sep 2025
Can I no longer use a debt relief program so that I can file bankruptcy?
17 Apr 2025
I did a chapter 7 bankruptcy in January 2018 it was discharge when can I file another bankruptcy any alternative I can do ?
24 Oct 2024