Best bankruptcy & Chapter 13 filing attorneys in Cleveland
These are the Cleveland attorneys and firms who handle bankruptcy and Chapter 13 filing as a core part of their practice, ranked using our methodology, which weighs review volume, rating, recency, and sentiment together rather than star rating alone.
This list covers bankruptcy and Chapter 13 filing specialists specifically. Attorneys whose main strength is foreclosure defense are ranked separately on our best foreclosure attorneys page, even when they also touch bankruptcy work.
Picks are ranked by score and relevance to bankruptcy & chapter 13 filing, so a lower overall score can rank higher here.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairmax Law , a Debt Relief Law Firm | 86 | 4.7 (700) | — | All-round Chapter 7 & 13 filers |
| 2 | Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law | 84 | 4.6 (230) | — | Fast-moving bankruptcy & foreclosure cases |
| 3 | Law Offices of Jon Ginter, LLC | 74 | 4.9 (27) | — | Hands-on guidance from a solo attorney |
| 4 | DannLaw | 71 | 4.3 (74) | — | Complex debt & mortgage disputes |
| 5 | Rauser & Associates Legal Clinic LLP | 70 | 4.1 (149) | — | Guided filings with named attorneys |
| 6 | Knevel Law Co. LPA | 64 | 4.5 (8) | — | Personalized, family-style service |
| 7 | The Romano Law Firm | 63 | 4.7 (16) | — | Bankruptcy work with a personal touch |
| 8 | Nemeth & Associates Co | 63 | 3.8 (10) | — | Established Chapter 13 practitioners |
| 9 | Attorney N. Cemenska | 62 | 5 (9) | — | Direct access to your attorney |
| 10 | Baker Baker & Baker LLC | 60 | 3.9 (18) | — | Longtime family-practice filers |
| 11 | Rabin & Rabin Co., L.P.A. | 60 | 4.9 (7) | — | Foreclosure-adjacent bankruptcy defense |
| 12 | Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorneys | 57 | 4.2 (32) | — | Budget-conscious multi-county filers |
| 13 | Kathleen Donnelly, Attorney | 57 | 4.3 (11) | — | Complex cases others turn away |
| 14 | Fairmax Law | 51 | 5 (2) | — | Low-cost bankruptcy consult, unproven track record |
| 15 | Stein Sheldon | 51 | 3.5 (2) | — | Long-tenured solo practitioner, limited feedback |
Ranked picks
Fairmax Law , a Debt Relief Law Firm
Why it ranks first
Fairmax Law pairs a large, current review base (700 reviews at 4.7) with named staff who get called out again and again for walking clients through the process step by step. The volume and consistency here put it ahead of the field on this list.
Pros
- Named staff (Fernanda, Ashton, Karen) praised repeatedly for follow-up
- Low entry pricing on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings
- Licensed to handle cases across Ohio and Michigan
Watch out: A small number of reviewers flagged phone hang-ups and one attorney's conduct at a 341 meeting.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure defense litigation, foreclosure service, loan modification loss mitigation
Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law
Why it ranks second
Amourgis & Associates draws praise for moving cases through quickly while staying kind to clients in financial crisis, backed by 230 reviews at 4.6 with an 87% five-star rate. Flexible payment plans make it a solid option for lower-income filers.
Pros
- Quick turnaround on bankruptcy and foreclosure filings
- Flexible payment plans for low-income clients
- Responsive to calls and emails
- Compassionate handling of stressful situations
Watch out: A couple of reviewers mentioned staff not acknowledging submitted paperwork and an unhelpful tone from one lawyer.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure defense litigation, real estate title law, loan modification loss mitigation
Law Offices of Jon Ginter, LLC
Why it ranks third
Jon Ginter earns a 4.9 average with clients citing quick responses to calls and texts and clear explanations at every stage of a filing. The 27-review base is smaller, so weigh that alongside the strong sentiment.
Pros
- Responds quickly to calls and texts
- Explains the process clearly at each stage
- Handles cases start to finish
- Caring, compassionate approach
Watch out: One review flagged limited depth on Chapter 13 specifically, so confirm fit if that's your filing type.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure defense litigation, foreclosure service, loan modification loss mitigation
DannLaw
Why it ranks fourth
DannLaw has named attorneys (Marc Dann, Brian Flick, Jeff Crossman, and others) who get singled out for successful outcomes on mortgage servicer disputes and consumer debt cases, and the firm will work contingency on suitable cases. Review volume is solid at 74 reviews, 4.3 average.
Pros
- Named attorneys with track records in mortgage and debt litigation
- Willing to work contingency on qualifying cases
- Handles complex, multi-issue cases including predatory lending
Watch out: Several clients reported weeks of unanswered calls, texts, and emails, suggesting attention varies by which attorney picks up your case.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, loan modification loss mitigation, foreclosure defense litigation, foreclosure service
Rauser & Associates Legal Clinic LLP
Why it ranks fifth
Rauser & Associates has a large review base (149 reviews, 4.1 average) with clients of attorneys like Jennifer Donahue and Steve Emery describing smooth, reassuring bankruptcies from consultation through discharge.
Pros
- Named attorneys praised for attentiveness and clear guidance
- Full support from consultation through discharge
- Calm staff demeanor reduces client stress during filing
Watch out: Other reviewers reported missed callbacks and cases affected by communication breakdowns, so outcomes seem to depend on who handles your case.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, loan modification loss mitigation, foreclosure defense litigation, foreclosure service
Knevel Law Co. LPA
Why it ranks sixth
Knevel Law Co. draws five-star reviews describing being treated like family rather than a file number, with Mark Knevel and staff member Melissa named for patience through repeated calls. The firm brings over 50 years in practice, though the review count here is small at 8.
Pros
- 50+ years in practice
- Named attorney and staff praised for responsiveness
Services: consumer debt fdcpa, bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure service, foreclosure defense litigation
The Romano Law Firm
Why it ranks seventh
Joe Romano's clients describe him listening closely, explaining options without pressure, and keeping them informed throughout Chapter 13 and bankruptcy filings at fair rates. With only 16 reviews and one 1-star outlier, treat this as a promising but lower-confidence pick.
Pros
- Listens and explains options clearly without pressure
- Prompt communication and case updates
- Fair pricing relative to results delivered
Watch out: Review history is limited and skews older, so recent client experience is less certain.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure defense litigation, real estate title law, loan modification loss mitigation
Nemeth & Associates Co
Why it ranks eighth
Richard Nemeth's firm draws on decades of bankruptcy experience, and long-standing clients specifically credit strong Chapter 13 handling and professional staff. Reviews are few (10) and mixed, so this fits best for those willing to weigh long tenure against some recent service complaints.
Pros
- 35+ years of bankruptcy experience claimed
- Chapter 13 expertise with flexible accommodation
- Professional staff and office environment
Watch out: Recent reviewers reported slow communication and some errors that left them unsure whether their case was moving forward.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure service, foreclosure defense litigation, loan modification loss mitigation
Attorney N. Cemenska
Why it ranks ninth
Attorney N. Cemenska stands out for personally answering his own phone, email, and texts, walking clients through bankruptcy step by step with a compassionate approach. All 9 reviews are five-star, though that's a small sample to draw firm conclusions from.
Pros
- Directly accessible by phone, email, and text
- Thorough, step-by-step explanations of the process
Services: loan modification loss mitigation, bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure service
Baker Baker & Baker LLC
Why it ranks tenth
Baker Baker & Baker has a track record of successful bankruptcies and home saves, with some clients specifically crediting the firm for a fresh financial start. Recent one-star reviews suggest satisfaction has cooled compared to reviews from six or seven years ago, so weigh that timing carefully.
Pros
- Successful bankruptcy filings and home retention cases
- Knowledgeable, caring attorneys per longtime clients
- Long-running family law practice
Watch out: More recent reviews cite slow follow-up, weak courtroom preparation, and disputes over fees.
Services: foreclosure defense litigation, foreclosure service, loan modification loss mitigation, bankruptcy chapter 13
Rabin & Rabin Co., L.P.A.
Why it ranks #11
Rabin & Rabin's Julie Rabin is credited with stopping home losses through combined foreclosure and bankruptcy work, and the firm counts a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy among its 30+ years of experience. Only 7 reviews are on record, so confidence is low despite the strong ratings.
Pros
- Track record of saving homes from foreclosure
- Experienced team with 30+ years in practice
Watch out: Very few reviews are available, so the sample doesn't cover the full range of their bankruptcy services.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure defense litigation, real estate title law, loan modification loss mitigation
Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorneys
Why it ranks #12
Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorneys' Matthew Alden and Patrick Miller get named praise for competitive pricing and solid case work across a 32-review base at 4.2. A significant minority of reviews raise real concerns worth reading closely before signing on.
Pros
- Named attorneys (Alden, Miller) praised for bankruptcy knowledge
- Competitive pricing on filings
- Serves multiple counties
Watch out: Some clients reported unclear fee structures and cases where promised outcomes, especially around student loans, weren't delivered.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, loan modification loss mitigation, foreclosure defense litigation, foreclosure service
Kathleen Donnelly, Attorney
Why it ranks #13
Kathleen Donnelly is noted for taking on difficult cases that other firms reject and offering flexible payment plans and hours from a central Downtown location. The 11-review record is mixed enough that you should go in with clear expectations on fees.
Pros
- Takes on complex cases others won't handle
- Flexible payment plans and hours
- Central Downtown location
- Responsive to client questions per multiple reviewers
Watch out: Serious complaints include fee disputes, unprofessional conduct, and allegations of discriminatory treatment, so proceed with care.
Services: foreclosure service, foreclosure defense litigation, loan modification loss mitigation, real estate title law
Fairmax Law
Why it ranks #14
This Fairmax Law location gets five-star marks for sound advice and exploring alternatives beyond a standard filing, with low startup costs covering both bankruptcy and foreclosure work. With only 2 reviews on record, there isn't much evidence yet to judge consistency.
Pros
- Low startup costs
- Covers both bankruptcy and foreclosure situations
Watch out: Only 2 reviews exist, so treat this as a low-confidence pick until more feedback accumulates.
Services: bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure service, loan modification loss mitigation, foreclosure defense litigation
Stein Sheldon
Why it ranks #15
Stein Sheldon brings over 40 years of practice across Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties and Ohio State Bar membership with multi-chapter bankruptcy experience. Only 2 reviews exist and they pull in opposite directions, so this is one to vet directly before committing.
Pros
- 40+ years in practice
- Ohio State Bar member
Watch out: Reviews are extremely limited and polarized, from a "great guy" mention to a 1-2 star rating, so recent client experience is unclear.
Services: loan modification loss mitigation, bankruptcy chapter 13, foreclosure service