Recognized Bankruptcy Leaders 2025

With nearly three decades of experience, Kevin S. Neiman has helped countless clients in state and federal courts. Providing exceptional client service and representing clients with superior professionalism are the primary goals of Mr. Neiman. His experiences have shaped him into a strong advocate and strategist for all his clients, regardless of the case's complexity. He strives to be the consummate professional and a responsible civic caretaker. Specializing in practice areas arising out of distressed situations such as personal or business financial problems and commercial disputes, his mission is to assist clients in achieving their goals in a professional, efficient, and effective manner.

Attorney John D. Sarai is an experienced and well-versed attorney specializing in the fields of bankruptcy, consumer protection and debt relief for consumers and businesses. He has filed thousands of successful bankruptcies and discharged millions of dollars for individuals and businesses struggling with debt. His clients have received fresh starts, clean slates, and a second chance and rebuilding and reestablishing credit without being burdened by debt. He has stopped and prevented foreclosures, repossessions, wage garnishments, bank levies, IRS levies, and other collection actions from creditors and collection agents. He has obtained countless dollars in settlements and judgments for personal injury clients involved in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, dog bites, and slip and fall accidents. He also represents clients with claims against government agencies for injuries on public property and on other buses and public transportation, as well as accidents involving ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. John has also discharged millions of dollars through thousands of successful business and consumer bankruptcies. He has helped clients eliminate their debts and save their homes and businesses, all resulting in brand new credit, high credit scores, and bright financial futures.  Additionally, John advocates for clients being harassed by creditors and collection agencies. He has procured hundreds of thousands of dollars for clients against creditors who violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.

Need help resolving unpaid debts? Ciment Law Firm's debt defense attorneys can help. Whether you need a bankruptcy lawyer, student debt attorney, or debt relief attorney, we have you covered. At Ciment Law Firm, our legal team has over 15 years of experience in bankruptcy, debt collection defense, and consumer protection. Our goal is to assist our clients in resolving their unpaid debts, protecting their Texan rights, and rebuilding their credit so that they can move forward with their lives. To learn more about our debt defense solutions, please feel free to schedule a free case evaluation with us today. More Information: Business Email: info@cimentlawfirm.com Business Phone Number: (832) 210-2050 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm

Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA, is a nationally recognized federal prison expert. He serves as Managing Director at Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. and Zoukis Consulting Group, where his federal criminal defense practice focuses on federal appeals, post-conviction relief, compassionate release, clemency, and Bureau of Prisons policy matters. Mr. Zoukis is the author of six books on federal criminal defense and prison policy, including The Habeas Citebook: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel (Prison Legal News Publishing, 3rd ed. forthcoming 2025), Federal Criminal Defendant’s Handbook (Middle Street Publishing, forthcoming 2025), Directory of Federal Prisons (2020), Federal Prison Handbook (2017), Prison Education Guide (2017), and College for Convicts (2014). His Federal Prison Handbook received numerous awards, including the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards Gold Medal, the Next Generation Indie Book Award, and the Chanticleer Book Awards Instructional & Insightful Nonfiction Award. College for Convicts received the Eric Hoffer Book Award’s Montaigne Medal for the most thought-provoking book of the year. Mr. Zoukis earned his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law, where he served as Articles Editor of the UC Davis Law Review and received both the Witkin Award and Reynoso Award for Academic Excellence. He also holds an MBA and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Adams State University. Major media outlets regularly seek his expertise. He has been quoted in CNN, Fox News, ABC News, Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Bloomberg Law, and Vice News, among others. He has contributed articles to the Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Prison Legal News, and Criminal Legal News. Mr. Zoukis’s Prison Law Blog was named a Top Law Blawg by the American Bar Association, and he was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Award. He has assisted hundreds of clients with federal prison preparation, in-prison advocacy, and reentry matters, and is considered a leading voice on federal prison policy nationwide. Learn more about Chris at https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/about/christopher-zoukis-federal-prison-consultant/

I'm a specialist commercial finance broker with 16 years of experience helping Australian business owners access commercial property finance. As founder of Smart Business Plans, I've overseen $550 million in commercial finance across more than 3,300 clients, with a 92% approval rate working across a panel of 60+ specialist lenders. My expertise sits at the intersection of commercial property, business finance, and wealth strategy — particularly for small to medium business owners looking to buy their own premises, invest through their SMSF, or fund development projects. I work exclusively in the commercial space, which means I specialise where the major banks often can't or won't go. I'm also the author of The Premise Effect (2026), which makes the case for why Australian business owners are leaving millions on the table by renting rather than owning their business premises. I'm available to comment on: commercial property finance, SMSF borrowing, business lending, commercial mortgage rates, Australian property market trends, and small business wealth building.

I am an attorney and owner of Alpine Mortgage. As a seasoned mortgage banker and real estate attorney for over 20 years I can offer insights into real estate finance and law. Throughout my career, I have been committed to making the mortgage process clear and understandable so my clients are informed and confident in their financial decisions. My deep understanding of both the financial and legal side of real estate transactions allows me to contribute unique perspectives on mortgage trends to property laws. As a passionate advocate for transparent and ethical practices in the real estate industry, I am eager to share my knowledge and experiences through engaging articles that inform and empower readers on real estate and mortgage finance. Whether you're looking for expert commentary on mortgage trends, real estate market analysis or insights into property law, I offer practical advice from my years of real estate transactions and legal consultations.

I am an Institutional Debt Market Architect with more than 17 years of experience designing the valuation, liquidity, and recovery protocols that banks, credit unions, fintech lenders, and private credit funds rely on to make high-stakes decisions. I’ve advised on, analyzed, or helped broker over $100 billion in performing and non-performing receivables across consumer, commercial, auto, BNPL, mortgage, and specialty finance asset classes. My work sits at the intersection of portfolio valuation, lending risk, distressed-asset strategy, and AI-driven recovery intelligence. I help institutions understand the true condition of their receivables, uncover hidden risk, and translate complex credit dynamics into clear, actionable decisions. When lenders need to determine whether to hold, recover, restructure, or sell an asset, I’m the person they call. As Director of Portfolio Liquidity & Asset Disposition at Fitzgerald Advisors, I architect and execute loan-sale strategies, oversee due diligence, and structure NPL and charged-off debt transactions that maximize proceeds while maintaining regulatory integrity. I also build the technology that powers modern receivables strategy. I created Debt Catalyst, an AI-driven valuation and liquidation-curve engine used by professional debt buyers and investors. I developed Bank Watch Pro, a real-time intelligence platform that interprets FDIC and NCUA call-report data to identify institutional credit risk, NPL trends, charge-off exposure, and early-warning indicators. Across my ventures, I focus on one mission: turning distressed receivables, delinquency, and charge-offs into liquidity, clarity, and competitive advantage for financial institutions. I provide expert commentary on: Distressed portfolio valuation & credit-risk analysis NPL and charged-off debt sales Fintech lending trends & BNPL credit performance Bank & credit union financial health (FDIC/NCUA analytics) AI in collections, segmentation, and liquidation modeling Regulatory and compliance implications in debt markets I don’t follow the debt markets — I architect them. And I use that experience to help lenders, investors, and agencies make smarter, faster, and more profitable decisions.

David Pinkhasov is an Associate Attorney of Consumer Attorneys. David is admitted in Courts of the State of New York and Florida. David received his J.D. from Hofstra University Law School in 2021. While attending Hofstra, David interned at the Medical Legal Partnership Clinic, where he assisted in addressing clients’ legal needs impacting their health and well-being, such as income and housing. David also interned at the Nassau County Bar Association Mortgage Foreclosure Pro Bono Project, which was geared towards providing limited representation in court mandated conferences to any Nassau County resident facing foreclosure. In addition, David co-mediated custody and visitation disputes, divorce, and other family matters as a student mediator for Hofstra’s Family Law Mediation Clinic. After graduating law school, David served as an attorney for a Real Estate law firm where he guided clients through transactions ranging from intricate leasing agreements to large-scale property acquisitions. David brings a unique blend of legal experience and approachability to every case.

Ben Jackson is the founder of Talk About Debt, a platform that gives people a safe, judgment-free space to have the deeply personal conversations necessary to take control of their finances and get out of debt. Talk About Debt combines an expert AI chat assistant, online bankruptcy form preparation, and a network of attorneys and debt experts standing by to provide personalized help when needed. Ben previously co-founded Upsolve, the largest bankruptcy nonprofit in the United States, which has helped tens of thousands of families file Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. His work is rooted in personal experience. He grew up on food stamps, watched his family struggle with debt collectors and garnishment threats, and nearly filed for the wrong chapter of bankruptcy himself before learning the system. That experience drives everything he builds. Ben is available to comment on bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13), debt relief and settlement, consumer rights and debt collector abuse, credit recovery, student loan debt, financial literacy, and the emotional toll of financial hardship.

Bankruptcy,Commercial Litigation, Restructuring,Liquidation,Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors,Receiverships,Partnership Disputes,Shareholder Disputes,Corporate Transactions, and Real Estate Transactions

I established The Peterson Law Firm to focus on the individual and families involved in the legal process. I focus on the family and the end goal to come to a optimal resolution for my client. My practice areas include include Divorce & Family Law, Bankruptcy & Debt, and Tax Resolution Services.

I'm a credit officer who happens to think like a deal-maker. After 34 years in credit, mortgage, and equipment finance, I've learned that the best financing solutions come from understanding both the numbers and the business behind them. As Chief Credit Officer and President of Equipment Leases at Commercial Funding Partners, I lead credit and underwriting operations for a portfolio that's grown from $15 million to nearly $100 million annually, with clear sight lines to $300 million. My role sits at the intersection of rigorous credit analysis and flexible deal structuring, which means I spend my days solving financing challenges that traditional banks simply can't accommodate. Here's what that looks like in practice: We fund 100% of equipment projects so companies can preserve working capital. We manage vendor deposits and progress payments directly, including international transactions in euros, removing cash flow strain during long equipment builds. We structure deals for clients who've hit exposure limits with their banks, allowing them to maintain those banking relationships while still accessing the capital they need to grow. Most of our transactions range from $250,000 to $25 million and support revenue-generating equipment in manufacturing, construction, pharmaceuticals, and other industries where the right asset makes the difference between winning a contract and walking away from it. We typically approve leases in 10 to 14 days, and even complex, multi-million-dollar deals close within a few weeks. What sets our approach apart is the team mentality. Clients don't get a rigid lender relationship. They get a credit partner who understands their cash cycles, their vendor timelines, and their growth plans. My team works cross-functionally (credit, sales, documentation, accounting) to deliver financing that's both sound and practical. I'm actively involved with ELFA, NEFA, and AACFB, and I've been recognized as a Top Woman in Leasing and with the AACFB President's Award. These aren't just credentials. They reflect a commitment to advancing the industry and building financing structures that help mid-market companies compete and scale. If you're a CFO or business owner dealing with bank exposure caps, international vendor payments, or the need for 100% project funding, let's talk. I'm here to structure deals that work.

Peter Reagan is a respected financial strategist at Birch Gold Group with more than 15 years of experience in the precious metals market. His market commentary has been featured in outlets including Newsmax, ZeroHedge, and GoBankingRates. At Birch Gold Group, he helps investors understand how gold and other precious metals can strengthen long-term financial security. His clear guidance and commitment to education have made him a trusted voice in an evolving economic landscape. Known for his practical approach and genuine commitment to investors’ success, Peter makes financial concepts feel accessible and empowering. He brings clarity to uncertainty, helping people make confident decisions about their future. Whether sharing insights in the media or supporting clients one-on-one, he remains focused on education, integrity, and building lasting trust with those he serves.

I am litigator, whistleblower attorney, and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). My practice focuses on cases involving healthcare fraud, financial fraud, anti-money laundering (Bank Secrecy Act) failures, and sanctions violations. While based in Philadelphia, my practice is national in scope.

I founded Commercial Funding Partners in 2012 with a clear mission: build a performing portfolio of customers who return because we treat them right and help them grow responsibly. After six years at a competitor and seeing how customers were often handled at deal end, I knew there was a better way to do business in commercial equipment finance. We’re a national direct lender with capacity from $250,000 to over $100 million per project, serving manufacturers, contractors, healthcare providers, transportation companies, and others across the U.S. What sets us apart is speed paired with judgment. Our small, senior-level finance committee allows us to make decisions quickly—often the same day—and months faster than SBA processes, where time value often outweighs minor rate differences. We listen to the story behind the balance sheet and underwrite context, not just numbers. We structure real-world solutions through progress funding, 100% project financing, sale-leasebacks, and tax-aware terms that banks often can’t provide. We don’t do deals we wouldn’t sign ourselves. Over 40% of our business comes from repeat clients, many with long-standing relationships that improve with each transaction. I’m active in industry leadership with ELFA, NEFA, and AACFB, where I chaired the Education Committee for four years and received the President’s Award. Before CFP, I worked at IBM and helped manage and grow Plumbers Supply Company through its acquisition by Wolseley. I hold a BS from the University of Utah and an MBA from Westminster College. Our goal is simple: be the first call for our customers and help great businesses grow smarter and faster.

Doug Perry is a visionary leader known for inspiring exponential personal and professional growth. He is the Managing Partner of Qual-Cap, a borrower centric boutique mortgage brokerage focused on client's financial goals, providing innovative real estate financing solutions and education. Doug has held senior leadership positions at ArchWest, Temple View Capital, Citadel Mortgage Services, 5 Arch, PennyMac, IndyMac, Countrywide Financial and Privlo, a pioneer fintech Non-QM start up. He is a recognized mortgage finance industry expert featured in segments on CNBC, CNN, Fox News, USA Today, US News and World Report, and the Wall Street Journal. Doug has a BA in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Yaear Weintroub, an Associate Attorney at Consumer Attorneys, devotes his practice to safeguarding consumers from credit-reporting errors, unlawful debt-collection tactics, and other violations proscribed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. His current work builds on experience gained at a consumer-protection practice, where he handled FCRA cases and a broad docket of related matters, and on the litigation skills he first developed as a full-time Pro Bono Scholar at Disability Rights New York. Consumer-protection law appeals to him because it offers a direct way to confront businesses that cut corners or defraud ordinary people. Restoring a client’s good name - or the financial opportunities they lost when a report or creditor got it wrong - brings him genuine professional satisfaction. True to that mission, he keeps an open line of communication with every client, answers questions promptly, and explains each procedural step so that no one is left guessing how a case is unfolding. He earned his J.D. from Hofstra Law School on a full scholarship and was selected for the Pro Bono Scholars Program, which allowed him to sit for the bar exam early and accelerate his admission to practice. Before law school he completed a B.A. in Philosophy at Brooklyn College, augmenting his analytical training with a minor in computer science. Away from the office Yaear writes music, plays several instruments, follows a wide range of sports, and spends as much time as possible with his wife and their dog.

Writer, speaker author passionate about helping small business owners and consumers make…

I have 24 years of experience in the credit counseling industry, specializing in operations, compliance, debt management, and consumer financial education. As Senior Manager of Compliance and Media at Money Fit, I ensure our programs meet strict standards for integrity, accuracy, and regulatory compliance. I am a HUD Certified Housing Counselor and serve on the Board of Directors for the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA). My work focuses entirely on nonprofit credit counseling. I help consumers understand the clear mechanics of regulated debt management versus the risks tied to for-profit debt settlement. Consumers deserve straightforward financial guidance that is realistic, responsible, and built for actual progress.