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About Carl
Biography
Carl R. Gustafson is a Certified Bankruptcy Law Specialist with the California Board of Legal Specialization! In 2003, Carl graduated from UCLA Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors in History. In 2005, he was a legal intern for Global Justice in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he drafted sections of human rights situation reports and submitted them to the United Nations and other international bodies. He also researched issues of international jurisdiction and the enforcement of international treaties. Carl went on to graduate with honors from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2007, where he was also an associate editor for the Ecological Law Quarterly. It was Carl's yearning to right wrongs and preventing injustice that made law his calling. When Carl lived in Brazil he enjoyed the sights and playing pickup sports on the beach, but he was also witness to a cold reality: one of corruption and injustice. Carl has a passion for consumer rights. "It made me angry to see people get ripped off," said Carl. "I feel like we are hitting the big guys. We are punching back and making them pay for all the bets they thought they wouldn't get caught in." The confidence and ease of Carl is born of experience that is well beyond his years. He started working with bankruptcy in 2003 when he graduated from UCLA. Carl opened the Lincoln Law California offices and focuses his practice exclusively on bankruptcy law in the East Bay area. In August 2011, Carl was a presenter panelist on Practising Law Institute's seminar and webcast "Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Its Value and How It Benefits Low-Income Debtors."
Contact me!
New Extended Customer Service Hours!
Monday to Friday: 7:00 am-8:00 pm (PST)
Saturday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (PST)
Sunday: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (PST)
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy and Debt
34%
18 years
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
33%
18 years
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
33%
18 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 18 years
State: California
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
Lincoln Law - Concord
1525 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA, 94523
Lincoln Law - Hayward
24301 Southland Drive, Suite 214B, Hayward, CA, 94545
Law Offices of Carl Richard Gustafson
We Also Service, Oakland, CA
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Carl Richard Gustafson's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
28 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Nick | March 28, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Student Loan Discharge
I would give Lincoln Law a 10 Star if available. Carl G. was amazzzzzinnngggggg! He was able to discharge ALL of my student loans. Carl knows the latest regarding this process. I have the utmost confidence that Carl knows the legal ramifications and how to effective proceed forward. I thought I woul...
Posted by Cynthia | November 03, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Great Way To End Debt
Mr Gustafson and His team at Lincoln Law were wonderful. After i paid a deposit to retain him i immediately got into a monthly payment plan which was very reasonable. I Recieved great support during the process and right before filing. As soon as i retained Him all my creditor calls stopped and i har...
Posted by Saul | May 24, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Lincoln Law, only the best!
Carl Gustafson at Lincoln Law helped us with our bankruptcy case. He did a great job and put us at ease since we were very nervous and stressed out. We have never been in a situation like this but Carl and his staff were very profesional and made it seamless on every step of the way. I really appreci...
Posted by anonymous | February 03, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Really awesome service
I had an awesome experience. It was a difficult decision to file bankruptcy, but once I made my appointment, I knew it was going to be alright. Everyone was very professional, friendly, organized, and have they latest technology. It was stress free because they let you know what is needed. I rec...
Posted by Sunny Z | September 26, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Quick, Painless, Stress Free
I had a wonderful time with Carl and my attorney for my case. I just finished my 341 meeting and it was a quick process! Carl told me everything I needed to know. I have actually found Carl because of the reviews mentioned here! All the good things other have mention is true. I would definitely r...
Carl Richard Gustafson's Lawyer Endorsements
"Carl is always willing to give his time to get to the bottom of a problem. I respect his knowledge and experience on Bankruptcy. He is exceptional. He has a huge heart and will fight endlessly for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Carl is honest and capable, and it was an honor working with him."
"Aggressive representation and a great attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"I wish to endorse Carl. Carl maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethics, he is very knowledgeable and work very hard for his clients."
"I endorse Carl Gustafson. He is great resource for bankruptcy information and is willing to answer to questions. He regularly presents for local bar associations and is an expert in his practice area."
"Carl is smart, compassionate and a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Carl Gustafson is a young, energetic and perspicacious bankruptcy attorney in the state of California."
"Carl's work on behalf of clients is excellent."
"I enjoy working with Carl in the bankruptcy field. He properly prepares his cases and is knowledgeable about the law. His clients respect him and he communicates well with them."
"Carl is hardworking and smart. I endorse this lawyer."
"Carl Gustafson is a highly qualified consumer bankruptcy attorney who has a combination of intelligence and compassion that is crucial to helping people through difficult times. I strongly endorse him and the Lincoln Law firm."
"Carl has an uncanny understanding of the bankruptcy code. He is highly qualified, knowledgeable, and methodical in his approach to bankruptcy. He is solution-oriented and his work is of the highest caliber. I can wholeheartedly recommend Carl to those in need of a fresh start."
"Carl has worked with me on a number of cases. His expertise with bankruptcy and other consumer rights has been an enormous benefit to me, and my clients. He has honed in on an area of the law and made it his passion to help those in need."
"In my opinion, Carl is one of the best bankruptcy attorneys in the nation. I often turn to him for counsel in regards to complex bankruptcy matters. His experience is well beyond his years."
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Experience
Honors
2017
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2014
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2013
Legal Specialization Board Certified - Bankruptcy, State Bar of California
2012
Top 100 Bankruptcy Firms, Debt Education and Certification Foundation
2007
Honors, UC Berkeley School of Law
2003
Magna Cum Laude, UCLA
Work Experience
2007 - Present
Partner, Lincoln Law
Associations
2016 - Present
Contra Costa County Bar AssociationMember
2011 - Present
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember
2008 - Present
American Consumer Bankruptcy CollegeMember
2007 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2022 - 2023
Contra Costa CBA Bankruptcy SectionChair
2012 - 2014
Alameda County Bar Association, Bankruptcy SectionVice Chair
2006 - 2007
UC Berkeley Ecological Law QuarterlyAssociate Editor
Sample of Legal Cases
Lucas v. Us Department of Education et al
Settled for $2400, 2% of the outstanding balance.
Heritage Pacific Financial v. Montano
$70,000 Judgment for the Debtor-Defendant
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company v. Gonzalez et al
Judgment for Debtor and $41,745 Settlement to pay Debtor's Attorney Fees
Herrera et al v. EMC Mortgage Corporation et al
$20,000 Settlement to Debtors
Education
2007
University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2003
University of California - Los Angeles
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2021
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-income Clients
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-income Clients
2019
Practising Law Institute
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-Income Clients 2019
2019
Contra Costa County Bar Association-Bankruptcy Section
Playing with Lightning: The New Chapter 13 Plan
2018
Trial & Error: What Works and What Doesn't with the New Model Chapter 13 Plan
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
2018
Practising Law Institute
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-Income Clients 2018
2017
Pro Bono Symposium
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-Income Clients 2017
2016
PLI Pro Bono
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-income Clients
2015
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-income Clients
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
2014
Practising Law Institute
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-income Clients
2014
Friday Attorney Teleconference
Defending Complaints For Fraud The Montano Case etc.
2014
Alameda County Bar Association
Consumer Bankruptcy Fees: Expand Your Practice
2013
Practising Law Institute
Bankruptcy Basics for Low-Income Clients
2013
ACBC Semi-annual Conference, New Orleans, LA
Statistics and Bankruptcy: Being a Details Devil Pays Dividends
2011
Practising Law Institute
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Its Value and How it Benefits Low-Income Debtors
Publications
2017
Contra Costa Lawyer
The Personal Injury Case and the Automatic Stay
2011
Las Vegas Review Journal
Considering bankruptcy? The truth behind some common myths
2011
King's Press - Consulting Editor
Handling & Avoiding Liens in Consumer Bankruptcy
2011
East Bay Express
The New Face of Bankruptcy
Languages
English
Spanish
Portuguese