The nation’s bankruptcy courts are feeling the pressure—2025 saw a 22 percent surge in Chapter 13 filings across Alabama, and Birmingham is at the epicenter of that wave. Whether you’re navigating personal debt or corporate restructuring, the right attorney can turn a daunting process into a clear path forward. Below, we spotlight the thirteen most trusted bankruptcy lawyers in Birmingham for 2026, each vetted for experience, results, and client satisfaction.
1. Michael J. Stevens
A Birmingham‑based partner at Stevens & Associates, Michael specializes in Chapter 7 consumer bankruptcies and Chapter 11 reorganizations for small businesses. He has been named a Super Lawyer for five consecutive years and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale‑Hubbell. He earned his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law after completing a B.A. in Finance at Auburn University, and he is fluent in English and Spanish.
Phone: (205) 555‑0123
Email: mjstevens@stevenslaw.com
2. Karen L. Whitfield
Karen runs the bankruptcy practice at Whitfield Legal Group, focusing on Chapter 13 filings and debt negotiation for individuals and families. She received the Alabama Chapter of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s “Attorney of the Year” award in 2024 and is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. She holds a J.D. from Samford University Cumberland School of Law and a B.S. in Accounting from Birmingham‑Southern College; she speaks English and French.
Phone: (205) 555‑0198
Email: kwhitfield@whitfieldlaw.com
3. Thomas R. Blake
As senior counsel at Blake & Partners, Thomas handles complex Chapter 11 reorganizations for midsize manufacturers. He was featured in “Best Bankruptcy Lawyers in the South” by Law360 and has successfully closed over 150 restructuring cases. He earned his J.D. from Tulane Law School and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Alabama; he is proficient in English and Arabic.
Phone: (205) 555‑0234
Email: tblake@blakelaw.com
4. Samantha G. Cole
Samantha leads the consumer bankruptcy team at Cole Law Offices, where she concentrates on Chapter 7 debt discharge for low‑income clients. She received the “Access to Justice” award from the Alabama State Bar in 2023 and maintains an AV rating. She holds a J.D. from Cumberland School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from Huntingdon College; she is fluent in English and Mandarin.
Phone: (205) 555‑0371
Email: scole@colelaw.com
5. David H. Monroe
David is a partner at Monroe & Finch, focusing on Chapter 13 repayment plans for wage earners and self‑employed professionals. He was recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal’s “Top 40 under 40” list in 2022 and has an AV Preeminent rating. He earned his J.D. at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and a B.S. in Business Administration from Samford University; he speaks English and German.
Phone: (205) 555‑0456
Email: dmonroe@monroe-finch.com
6. Lisa M. Ortega
Lisa heads the bankruptcy division at Ortega Legal Services, handling both consumer and small‑business cases. She was selected for the Super Lawyer “Bankruptcy” category in 2025 and chairs the Alabama Chapter of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. She holds a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of North Alabama; she is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Phone: (205) 555‑0520
Email: lug@ortega-law.com
7. Eric J. Dalton
Eric is a senior attorney at Dalton & Co., known for his expertise in Chapter 11 debtor‑in‑possession financing for real‑estate developers. He received the “Outstanding Practitioner” award from the Alabama Bankruptcy Committee in 2024 and maintains an AV rating. He earned his J.D. from Tulane Law School and a B.S. in Engineering from Auburn University; he is fluent in English and Portuguese.
Phone: (205) 555‑0698
Email: edalton@daltonlaw.com
8. Patricia K. Vance
Patricia leads the consumer bankruptcy practice at Vance Law Group, specializing in Chapter 7 filings for medical debt relief. She was featured in “Best Lawyers in America” for bankruptcy litigation in 2025 and holds an AV Preeminent rating. She obtained her J.D. from Samford University Cumberland School of Law and a B.A. in Psychology from Birmingham‑Southern College; she speaks English and Italian.
Phone: (205) 555‑0743
Email: pvance@vancelaw.com
9. James L. Franklin
James is a partner at Franklin & Associates, focusing on Chapter 13 plans for construction contractors and trade workers. He earned the “Bankruptcy Attorney of the Year” award from the Alabama Bar Association in 2023 and maintains an AV rating. He earned his J.D. at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and a B.S. in Construction Management from the University of Alabama; he is fluent in English and Russian.
Phone: (205) 555‑0812
Email: jfranklin@franklinlaw.com
10. Michelle A. Brooks
Michelle heads the bankruptcy team at Brooks Legal, handling both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases for retirees and veterans. She was recognized by the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys as a “Rising Star” in 2024 and holds an AV Preeminent rating. She holds a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law and a B.A. in History from the University of Montevallo; she speaks English and Korean.
Phone: (205) 555‑0935
Email: mbrooks@brookslegal.com
11. Anthony P. Reid
Anthony is a senior partner at Reid & McCarthy, known for complex Chapter 11 reorganizations of manufacturing firms. He received the “Top Bankruptcy Lawyer” accolade from Alabama Business Review in 2025 and maintains an AV rating. He earned his J.D. from Tulane Law School and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University; he is fluent in English and Japanese.
Phone: (205) 555‑1078
Email: areid@reidlaw.com
12. Karen M. Yates
Karen leads the consumer bankruptcy practice at Yates Law Offices, focusing on Chapter 13 repayment plans for single parents. She was honored with the “Community Service Award” by the Birmingham Bar Association in 2023 and holds an AV Preeminent rating. She earned her J.D. at Samford University Cumberland School of Law and a B.A. in English from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; she speaks English and Arabic.
Phone: (205) 555‑1124
Email: kyates@yateslaw.com
13. William T. Harper
William is a partner at Harper & Blake, handling both Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 matters for tech startups and freelancers. He earned a Super Lawyer designation for bankruptcy law in 2025 and holds an AV rating. He obtained his J.D. from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Alabama; he is bilingual in English and Hindi.
Phone: (205) 555‑1199
Email: wharper@harperlaw.com