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John Clayton Colwell
About John
Biography
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.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
34%
42 years | 3,000 cases
Bankruptcy and Debt
33%
42 years | 10,000 cases
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
33%
42 years | 7,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 40 years
State: California
Acquired: 1985
No misconduct found
Location
Debt Relief Legal Clinic
121 Broadway, Ste. 533, San Diego, CA, 92101-5022
Debt Relief Legal Clinic
46 Third AVe., Ste. D, Chula Vista, CA, 91910
Debt Relief Legal Clinic
122 Civic Center Drive, Ste. 204, Vista, CA, 92084
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John Clayton Colwell's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
26 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (26)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Compassion
Posted by anonymous | November 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
If I could give this firm 10 stars, I would!
I was really hesitant about filing for bankruptcy and had consultations lined up with a few different lawyers. After my consultation with John, I canceled the rest right away and decided to move forward with him. What stood out was his experience, confidence, empathy, and the way he actually listen...
John Colwell
Replied last November 23, 2025Thank you so much for your kind review and the high praise for our entire Debt Relief Legal Clinic team. We are honored that we could provide the reassurance and efficient service needed to make a stressful process feel manageable. Providing compassionate, responsive support to clients like you is exactly what we strive for, and your feedback confirms we are achieving our goal. John C. Colwell, Attorney, 877-663-3287 Debt Relief Legal Clinic [email protected] www.DEBTCLINIC.com
Posted by anonymous | July 31, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Bankruptcy doesn't have to be painful!
Debt Relief Legal Clinic was so easy to work with. They made us feel comfortable telling our story without guilt. They were always available and accessible whenever we had questions. All of them were so kind and that really helped going through such a stressful time. They walked us through each step ...
John Colwell
Replied last August 09, 2025Thank you very much for your kind comments and review. As we all know, heartfelt and legitimate reviews, such as yours, will help others 'reach out' to see what benefits (or not) that bankruptcy can provide. Hard working Americans know that bankruptcy is not a four letter word, but a process that can be efficiently applied to each persons situation, for maximum benefit. We're very happy that you received your well deserved discharge of debt and your fresh start. John C. Colwell, Attorney, 877-663-3287, Debt Relief Legal Clinic, www.DEBTCLINC.com
Posted by Adam | November 12, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Absolutely Recommend
John and the entire team are fantastic. Bankruptcy can be a scary and overwhelming process, even for an attorney (me). John made it as smooth and painless as possible, and put my mind at ease. I couldn't recommend him more.
John Colwell
Replied last November 13, 2024Thanks, Adam! Dan, Lupe and I appreciate your kind review. We held hands and got it done, with you doing the heavy lifting! Happy to have helped and congratulations on your discharge and fresh start. John C. Colwell, Attorney, Debt Relief Legal Clinic, 877-663-3287
Posted by Alex | August 18, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
On My Side
Mr. Colwell was very understanding of my situation and handled my bankruptcy flawlessly, even when some of my bank funds had been frozen, even when my case was assigned to a “difficult” trustee, and even when, after three years, I needed to convert from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7. He explained everythi...
John Clayton Colwell's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
Jenny Doling
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Melanie Pennycuff
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Pamela Stewart
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Certified Specialist, State Bar of California
Work Experience
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
Associations
1994 - Present
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember, Board of Directors, President 2017 -
Education
N/A
California Western School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
Ripon College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2009
21st Annual Winter Leadership Conference
Should Congress Reform Bankruptcy Reform?
2000
Unknown
San Diego County Bar Association Free Law Day
2000
The debtor’s perspective
CA Credit Union Collectors Council Convention
1999
Nat. Assoc. Of Cons.
Bankruptcy Attorneys Convention
1997
Panel on Bankruptcy
Continuing Legal Education
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Checking to see if I can still keep my truck on a seven or 13 bankruptcy
26 Sep 2025
Q&A
Can I no longer use a debt relief program so that I can file bankruptcy?
17 Apr 2025
Q&A
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