Bruce Allen Ralston

I am a solo practitioner. Since being licensed in 1993 I have handled most types of legal matters, but since 2001 my practice has focused mostly on helping individuals and small businesses file for relief under bankruptcy. Over the past few years I have made good progress in finding options other than bankruptcy, such as defending against debt collection lawsuits, or assisting with credit reporting issues, or fighting back against abusive debt collectors, or suing mortgage companies who are padding the bill and/or using other unfair trade practices. The key to most of these alternatives to bankruptcy is using "fee shifting statutes," which force the abusive creditor or debt collector to pay your attorney fees, so you don't have to.

Pro Bono Service Award

Memphis Area Legal Services

2008

Given award for the large number of pro bono assignments accepted for that year. I accepted placement of approximately 30 cases, all involving situations where elderly or disabled people were being sued over credit cards and other debts that they disputed. Most of those lawsuits were dismissed outright, and the rest were settled for a small fraction of the amount claimed to be owed.

Tennessee State Bar  # 016260

Member

Current

NACA (Nat'l Assoc. of Consumer Advocates)

Member

2006 - Current

NACBA (Nat'l Assoc. of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys)

Member

2003 - Current

Memphis Bar Association

Member

1993 - Current

Tennessee

Since 1993

• Free Consultation
  Free 45 minute consultation on any debt-related matter (bankruptcy; credit reporting issues; defense of collection lawsuits; dealing with debt collectors; etc.)
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Chapter 13: $4,750 plus costs (exact same amount any lawyer in this area would charge; usually little or nothing down); Chapter 7: Anywhere from zero to $1,500 in most cases; could be more in complicated business cases; Defense of debt collection lawsuits: Usually $1,500, unless you can prove in advance that you don't owe the amount that they are claiming, in which case I charge zero. Dealing directly with debt collectors: no charge at all! Credit reporting issues: No up-front charge; actual charge depends on circumstances (anywhere from zero to $300/hour)

• Suing abusive debt collectors