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David P Leibowitz

David P Leibowitz

Your Financial Lifesaver - Fearless and zealous representation for 49 years
  • Bankruptcy, Consumer Law
  • Illinois, Wisconsin
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Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
J.D. (1974) | Law
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Honors: Cum Laude, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society
Activities: Law Review, Note Editor of Law Review
Loyola University Chicago School of Law Logo
Northwestern University
B.A. | Economics
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Northwestern University Logo
Professional Experience
Managing Member
Lakelaw
- Current
Founded Lakelaw as Law Offices of David P. Leibowitz LLC in Waukegan, Illinois. Now a nationally recognized consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure defense firm with offices in Chicago. We represent clients in chapter 7, chapter 11, chapter 13 and all sorts of bankruptcy litigation. We also assist clients with asset protection. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have consolidated all operations into our Chicago office but continue to represent people and businesses throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. We retain our Wisconsin license as well and can represent people and businesses in State and Federal Courts in Wisconsin
Partner - Bankruptcy Practice Leader
Freeborn & Peters
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Organized bankruptcy practice at this firm. Focused on chapter 11 real estate reorganization under Chapter 11, both for creditors and debtors. Successful creditors committee representation. Handled leading bankruptcy case of Leibowitz v. Parkway Bank in Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Partner (after 1980)
Schwartz Cooper Kolb & Gaynor Chtd.
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Represented banks and other financial institutions in a wide range of commercial and bankruptcy matters. Substantial real estate practice. Participated on brief in UNR Industries, Inc. establishing the concept of a "legal representative" for future tort claimants in mass tort chapter 11 cases.
Judicial Clerk
Illinois Appellate Court
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Filing Chapter 13 - What you need to know
Aspatore division of Thomson Reuters
Commercial Fraud Manual
American Bankruptcy Institute
2009 Survey of Residential Mortgage Issues in Consumer Bankruptcy Cases
West - 2009 Norton's Annual Survey of Banruptcy Law
Residential Mortgage Issues in Consumer Bankruptcy Cases
Norton's Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law 2008
Best Practices for Filing Chapter 13: Leading Lawyers on Counseling the Client, Interpreting New Legislation, and Communicating with Creditors
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Speaking Engagements
Post-Petition Appreciation in Chapter 13, Chicago Bar Assocation - Bankruptcy Committee, Virtual
Chicago Bar Association
Discussed conflict in authorities concerning whether appreciated value in chapter 13 asset becomes property of a bankruptcy estate on conversion to chapter 7
Certifications
Consumer Bankruptcy Law
American Board of Certification
Business Bankruptcy Law
American Board of Certification
Awards
Liberty Bell Award
Circuit Court - Nineteenth Judicial Circuit - Lake County, Illinois
This award was in recognition of Mr. Leibowitz' efforts in the establishment and training of volunteers for the Lake County Court's Mortgage Foreclosure Help Desk.
Pro Bono Service Award
Lake Count Bar Association
Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award
United States District Court Northern District of Illinois - Federal Bar Association
The District Court recognized Mr. Leibowitz for his service as bankruptcy trustee, not for his own benefit but for the benefit of a poor, elderly person who was going to lose her home owing to the inadequate efforts of an inadequate, unlicensed bankruptcy petition preparer.
Professional Associations
National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
Editor of NABTalk
- Current
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American Bankruptcy Institute
Co-Chair of Commercial Fraud Committee
- Current
Activities: Also author and editor-in-chief of ABI Fraud Manual
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National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
Member of Board of Directors
- Current
Activities: Member of the organization since 1990
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American Bankruptcy Institute
Former Director, Former Chair of Consumer Committee
- Current
Activities: Co-Chair of Consumer Practice Extravaganza (2021-2022)
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Illinois State Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Illinois
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Wisconsin
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Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    We accept payment by cash, check or Zelle
Practice Areas
    Bankruptcy
    Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
    Consumer Law
    Class Action, Lemon Law
Additional Practice Area
  • Foreclosure Defense
Languages
  • French: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
Blog
LAKEBLAWG
Contact & Map
Lakelaw
3478 N. Broadway Unit 234
Chicago, IL 60657
Telephone: (312) 662-5750
Cell: (847) 334-6116
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: Available outside of office hours by appointment.