Benjamin Rafael Levinson

Benjamin Rafael Levinson

also known as Ben

4.3
Rating: 7.8

Licensed for 41 years

Bankruptcy and debt Lawyer at San Jose, CA
Practice Areas: Bankruptcy & Debt, Foreclosure, Real Estate

4100 Moorpark Avenue, Suite 233, San Jose, CA

About Benjamin

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Debt 80%

Representation of lenders and other creditors in all chapters of bankruptcies filed in all four districts of California. Handling appeals of adverse judgments in Bankruptcy Court. .

41 years

80%
Foreclosure 10%

Defense of lenders and foreclosure trustees in actions in California state court and bankruptcy court brought by borrowers who seek to restrain the lender’s non-judicial foreclosure sale or seek to set aside a foreclosure sale that has taken place.

41 years

10%
Real Estate 10%

Represent lenders in judicial foreclosure actions and lenders and receivers in actions to obtain rents and profits of rental property by voluntary turnover and by appointment of a receiver for the property.

41 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 495-495 per hour


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 41 years

State: California

Acquired: 1984

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office Of Benjamin Levinson, a Professional Corporation

4100 Moorpark Avenue, Suite 233, San Jose, CA, 95117

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Benjamin Rafael Levinson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.3 /5.0

12 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (12) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Real Estate

Posted by Richard | July 20, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate

Excellent BK Attorney

I was referred by a business associate. Ben was very prompt, very thorough, and very professional. Within a few months of the owner of my property filing Chapter 13, he was able to get a relief from stay so I could foreclose. He was on top of every hearing, timeline, etc. Highly recommended.

Posted by John bui | May 16, 2023 | Real Estate

Foreclosure

My house recently got sold by foreclosure. My house is about $1.3 mil however it got sold $537,000. I want to find is any wrongful foreclosure. Was it letting public know the day it went out for auction or any bits? Please return my call for more informative.

Posted by Keith | October 11, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate

An exceptional attorney who is very reasonably priced

I have hired Ben Levinson (Ben) for over twenty years. During that time, the cases he assisted with ranged from foreclosure issues, bankruptcy issues, real estate in many forms including eviction assistance, to concerns related to notes and loans. Scarcely a year has gone by when I have not had some ...issue or cause of litigation which required his assistance. His knowledge of the fields above has been quite exceptional. His sheer depth of experience has meant I not only felt comfortable with him in every way, but have recommended him to others, as well as regard him as the man "I go to" first of all. In addition, many of my colleagues in the real estate areas above also consider him the "go to man" nowadays. I doubt if there are many attorneys with his combination of experience and book knowledge combined. I have seen Ben in many different circumstances, and dealt with numerous other attorneys both as a client and adversary. Ben's years of business provides an extensive list of contacts which Ben readily offers to you if needed. This can be very useful where a case is remote from him and minimizes costs by using a local man. I can say he shows no restraint in minimizing exposure to other, cost-saving persons. Such experience also gives a client the inside information on the type of judges at hand, the best practical way to handle a case, and the strength of an opponent both in terms of the case, and his representation. This class of insight can only come from a long period in the field, and direct interaction with the actors in that field. Ben has both. As regards his knowledge of the business, I have seen first-hand his vast knowledge applied in what I know have been really exotic cases to my advantage. I have seen him run rings around other, lesser attorneys who literally lack his understanding and insight. I will add his recognition by the bench also does not harm the client where a judge has to choose between attorney BS and Levinson savoir-faire. With such observations, one would expect a fee that is high. I can state I have found Ben to be quite reasonable. I pay attorneys from $350 per hour to $1,500 per hour. Ben is in the reasonable portion of that range. Furthermore, since your payments as a client are the product of the hourly rate and number of hours, he has not to my knowledge ever added to the hours portion to enhance his bills - in fact quite the contrary. Ben has frequently undercharged for what I was expecting and also given free advice. I wish that were true of all attorneys! Ben has an office that is not large. As such, if your case is huge, an idea may be to have him lead the case, with one of the major "big-name" offices providing back-up. You will only save using this approach, I can guarantee that. I have used a similar approach on three occasions. In all interactions I have found Ben to be honest, forthright, and to the point. A valuable asset when the clock is ticking. He is accessible easily and answers his calls in a timely fashion. This may seem trite, but can be a major problem in getting cases started or questions answered. The contrast between Ben and other attorneys I am trying to deal with makes life so much more easy which is why I choose to deal with him when I can. In short, Ben is both a real professional, who knows his field, and does not inflate charges. A real find, at lease for me, in his world.

Posted by Leo K | October 16, 2014 | Real Estate

Wonderful Attorney

I have been a lawyer for over 40 years. I also make hard money loans. One of my borrowers filed bankruptcy and I hired Ben to represent me in a difficult case. Ben was wonderful. He expeditiously reached a totally successful conclusion. His fees were also fair and reasonable. I would absolutely hire ...Ben in any other real estate litigation or bankruptcy case that I had.

Posted by Brian | October 08, 2014 | Real Estate

Saved me LOTS of money

When I hired Ben on a very contentious real estate case, I didn't know what to expect. He is soft spoken but straight forward. Always exploring issues and alternatives. But he was dogged, ran over every obstacle, and basically saved me a very large amount of money. If you need an attorney for any... type of real estate issue, I would - and have many times - recommend Ben Levinson.

See All Client Reviews

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Experience

Rating:  7.8 (Very Good)

Honors

2022

Dorothy Schick Member of the Year, United Trustees Association

Work Experience

1985 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Benjamin R. Levinson, A Professional Corporation

Associations

2018 - Present

Bar Association of San Francisco

Member

2005 - Present

California Mortgage Association

Member

2002 - Present

American Bankruptcy Institute

Member

1995 - Present

United Trustees Association fka California Trustees Association

Member

1984 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

1984 - Present

Santa Clara County Bar Association

Member

Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum

Member

2015 - 2021

United Trustees Association

Board of Directors

Sample of Legal Cases

Farahani v. Floria

Prevailed for Lender.

Melendrez v. D & I Investment, Inc.

Prevailed for a foreclosure buyer.

Resolution Trust Corporation v. Bayside Developers

Prevailed for Lender.

Pacific Loan Management v. Superior Court

Prevailed for a foreclosure trustee.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1984

Santa Clara University

JD - Juris Doctor

1979

University of California Santa Barbara

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2024

UTA Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2023

UTA Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2023

CMA Webinar

Bankruptcy Issues in 2023

2022

UTA Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update with Judges

2021

UTA Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update with Judges

2020

CMA Fall Seminar

Bankruptcy Basics for Lenders

2020

California Mortgage Association Fall Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2019

UTA Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2018

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2017

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2017

California Mortgage Association Winter Seminar

Using Receiverships Effectively

2017

California Mortgage Association Spring Seminar

Legal Update

2017

California Mortgage Association Fall Seminar

Bankruptcy Basics

2017

California Mortgage Association Fall Seminar

Legal Update

2016

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2015

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2015

California Mortgage Association-Spring Seminar

Creditor's Rights

2014

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Ask the Judges-Moderator

2014

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2013

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2012

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Ask the Judges-Moderator

2012

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2012

California Mortgage Association Seminar

Writing a Loan on Property which Currently is in Foreclosure or has been Purchased at Trustee's Sale

2011

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2010

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Ask the Judges-Moderator

2010

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2009

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2008

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2007

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2006

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

2005

United Trustees Association Annual Conference

Bankruptcy Update

Publications

2023

California Mortgage Association A Potpourri of Bankruptcy Issues for Lenders

2017

United Trustees Association Spring Quarterly 2017 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR COUNSEL MUST COMPLY WITH THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT IN SENDING OUT DEBT COLLECTION LETTERS REQUIRED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA DAVIS-STIRLING ACT THREATENING TO RECORD A LIEN BASED ON DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS.

2015

United Trustees Association Spring Quarterly The Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Ninth Circuit Follows Precedent in Holding That a Post-Petition Prosecution of Contempt Proceedings Against a Debtor Does Not Violate the Automatic Stay

2015

United Trustees Association-Winter Quarterly CHAPTER 20 LIEN STRIPS NOW ALLOWED UNDER 9TH CIRCUIT LAW.
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