Law Offices of Richard N. Gottlieb

• Representation in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases
• Representation in Chapter 11 business reorganization cases
• Representation in Chapter 13 wage earner repayment plan cases

The firm works with:

• Individuals seeking consumer debt relief
• Small and mid-sized businesses facing financial distress
• Creditors and trustees involved in bankruptcy proceedings

Related legal services

• Creditors' rights and commercial collection matters in state and federal courts
• Adversary proceedings and other bankruptcy-related litigation
• Counsel on enforcement or defense of judgments in the bankruptcy context

The firm concentrates on bankruptcy and related litigation, allowing it to stay current with bankruptcy laws, local court practices and recent case developments.

The website notes that the firm offers a free initial consultation for consumer and business bankruptcy matters so potential clients can discuss their situation and possible options with the attorney.

• 10 Tremont Street
• Suite 11, 3rd Floor
• Boston, Massachusetts 02108

Contact details

To schedule a free consultation or request more information, you can contact the office:

• Main phone: 617-742-4491
• Alternate phone: 508-545-9598
• Fax: 617-742-5188

You may also reach the firm through the contact form on the website.

Areas served

The firm serves clients in Boston and surrounding communities, including but not limited to:

• Brighton, Allston, Somerville, Cambridge, Charlestown
• Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Mattapan, Chelsea, Revere
• Newton (including Newtonville, Newton Center, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, West Newton)
• Malden, Roslindale, West Roxbury
• Other communities in Middlesex County and Suffolk County

The website does not list specific office hours; clients are encouraged to call the office or use the website contact form to confirm availability and schedule an appointment.

Lists Lawrence, Easton, Chapel Hill, Suffolk, Revere, Allston, Boston, and Brighton as a location. Names Colorado, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New York, United States, and Boston as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

• Juris Doctor (cum laude), New England School of Law, Boston
• Master of Laws in American Banking Law Studies, Boston University School of Law
• Undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton

Early in his career, he served as primary bankruptcy counsel for the FDIC in New England from 1990 to 1996. Since June 1996, he has operated his own boutique bankruptcy practice in the Metro-Boston area, representing debtors, creditors and trustees.

Certifications and admissions

• Board Certified Specialist in Business Bankruptcy Law, American Board of Certification (initially certified 1995; recertified multiple times)
• Board Certified Specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy Law, American Board of Certification (initially certified 1995; recertified multiple times)

Admissions to practice law include:

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1986)
• State of Colorado (1987)
• District of Columbia (1988)

Federal admissions include:

• United States Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Teaching and speaking

Richard Gottlieb has taught bankruptcy law as an adjunct faculty member at:

• Bentley University
• New England School of Law
• Northeastern University School of Law

He has also presented seminars on bankruptcy law and practice for Massachusetts District Court Judges and Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Judges, as well as for professional education providers.

Professional recognition

The website notes numerous recognitions and listings for Richard N. Gottlieb, including for example:

• Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly "Lawyer of the Year" (2023)
• Listings in publications and directories recognizing top or highly rated bankruptcy lawyers in Boston
• Multiple client-focused awards acknowledging high levels of client satisfaction and contribution

Colleagues and clients often commend his creative, "outside the box" approach to bankruptcy cases and his focus on finding practical solutions to complex financial and legal problems within the framework of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

• Explains the bankruptcy process clearly and answers questions in detail
• Is patient, responsive and easy to talk to about difficult financial situations
• Helps make an overwhelming process more manageable and less stressful
• Demonstrates deep knowledge of bankruptcy law and practical strategy

Several reviewers say that his help made a fresh financial start possible and describe his assistance as life-changing. Many specifically recommend him to others seeking an experienced, trustworthy bankruptcy attorney in the Boston area.

• In re Mark G. Reinhold (Chapter 7) – Successfully defended a Chapter 7 debtor against a creditor's motion to dismiss the case based on alleged bad faith, preserving the debtor's ability to claim homestead exemption protections under the Bankruptcy Code.
• In re Daisymae Deleveaux (Chapter 13) – Obtained sanctions against a mortgage lender for discovery violations and failure to provide required information in connection with a loan modification and related issues during a Chapter 13 case.
• In re Christian Nealon / Nealon v. Mathews (1st Cir. BAP) – Successfully reversed, on appeal, a bankruptcy court decision that had limited the debtor's homestead exemption under the Massachusetts Homestead Statute, allowing the client to retain an interest in the home.
• In re Muller Victor (Chapter 7) – Successfully opposed a creditor's attempt to dismiss a Chapter 7 case based on alleged lack of good faith, allowing the debtor to continue seeking relief, including avoidance of a judicial lien.

Examples of creditor and trustee representations

• Lawrence v. Osula (In re Osula) – Obtained a non-dischargeability judgment of approximately $62,000 after trial, based on embezzlement under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(4).
• In re Massimo DeNadai – Successfully objected to a debtor's claims of exemption and exclusion concerning employee stock options, resulting in more than $80,000 being made available for the bankruptcy estate.
• In re Ladevereaux – Secured disgorgement of attorney's fees from predecessor counsel who had failed to properly disclose compensation, leading to recovery for the benefit of the estate.

Business and commercial matters

• In re Karma, LLC (Chapter 11) – Represented a yoga studio in Chapter 11, successfully preventing the landlord from terminating a commercial lease and negotiating a settlement as part of a confirmed plan of reorganization completed in under twelve months.
• In re Tealuxe, Inc. (Chapter 11) – Served as counsel to a Chapter 11 committee of unsecured creditors, helping to draft and obtain confirmation of a Chapter 11 plan that provided for a sale of assets and a substantial dividend to unsecured creditors.

Appellate and litigation experience

• Bellas Pavers, LLC v. Stewart (In re Stewart) – Successfully defended, on appeal to the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit, a favorable judgment on partial findings in an exception-to-discharge case.
• LaBree v. Davis (In re Davis) – Successfully defended a debtor against claims that a debt should be excepted from discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2) and (a)(4) related to an alleged failure to disclose a title defect.

These matters demonstrate the firm's experience representing debtors, creditors and trustees in complex bankruptcy cases, adversary proceedings, Chapter 11 reorganizations and related litigation in state and federal courts.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.