Gregory Messer | Brooklyn Bankruptcy & Debt Lawyer

• Mr. Messer has been a panel member for the Chapter 7 Trustee Panel for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York since . He is a fellow in the American Bar Foundation, and he is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, the Brooklyn Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, New York County Lawyers Association and the Bar Association of the City of New York.
  1980

• Mr. Messer is Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the Americen Bankruptcy Institute and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is a frequent lecturer on bankruptcy topics for the Practicing Law Institute, the New York City Bar Association and the Brooklyn Bar Association. In addition to his certification and panel appointment, Mr. Messer is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and is listed in Super Lawyers and the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. Mr. Messer received the Frieda S. Nisnewitz Award for Service to the Brooklyn community as well as the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Pro Bono Award. Recently he was honored by St. Nicks Alliance for his work in the acquisition of a Senior Citizen Center. He routinely works with debtors and creditors.

A client came to me recently in the midst of a divorce proceeding with a significant amount of consumer debt. The amount of debt was holding up the divorce proceeding and preventing them from moving forward with their lives. I advised them that the best solution may be for both of them to file bankruptcy so that issue can be taken off of the table. They agreed and the bankruptcy resolved their debt and permitted them to finalize their divorce proceeding permitting them to go on with their lives. This is indicative of what I’d like to think is my creative thinking in resolving disputes.

I became a Bankruptcy Lawyer in 1980. I had very little experience at that point time but was committed to taking continuing education courses. I took a course when the law was changing. It permitted me to show off my knowledge of the new law resulting in my appointment as a Trustee and generating significant amounts of new business. I have always been of the view that by doing the right thing and working hard clients will ultimately find their way to you.

Experience and availability. A client should look for a lawyer who is experienced in the areas in which he will represent them and will also be available when they have concerns. I pride myself on returning all of my phone calls within 24 hours.

I have been practicing bankruptcy law in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York for the past 42 years. I am familiar with the Judges, court procedures, the Trustees, and the attorneys that handle these matters. It is an integral part of being successful that you have a relationship and an understanding of the people that you need to deal with.

I can pretty much do a full evaluation of most bankruptcy cases in a phone consultation. I can explain both the processes as well as the law. If the case is complicated it may require an in-office visit before I can do a full evaluation.

I need to know the type and amount of debt the debtor has as well as their income and the assets that they own.

I am one of only a few lawyers in New York City that is Board Certified in Bankruptcy Law. I have been named a Super Lawyer for the last 12 years and have been AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell for the last 15 years. In addition, I have served as a Panel Trustee in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

Solving problems for individual debtors. People come to me with their lives in disarray and in most circumstances I can put them on a path where they can obtain a fresh start and move forward.

I am an avid sports fan. You will need to come to my office before you can see who I actually rooting for.

I am involved in a number of ways in the community. I am a board member of the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Brooklyn Bar Association for 25 years having recently retired from the board and becoming a member of the Emeritus Board. I have taken a number of pro bono cases representing individuals who are unable to pay their lawyers.