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David P Leibowitz
Your Financial Lifesaver - Fearless and zealous representation for 49 years
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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
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- Northwestern University
- B.A. | Economics
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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
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
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- Activities: Member of the organization since 1990
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- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Former Director, Former Chair of Consumer Committee
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- Activities: Co-Chair of Consumer Practice Extravaganza (2021-2022)
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- Illinois State Bar Association
- Member
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Illinois
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- Wisconsin
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Fees
- Free Consultation
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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
Social Media
Contact & Map