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Reno  Fernandez
  • Bankruptcy, Business Law
  • California
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Biography

Reno Fernandez represents businesses and individuals in complex bankruptcy law appeals.

He is certified as a specialist in bankruptcy law by the California Board of Legal Specialization, and protects the interests of creditors, debtors, trustees, and other parties in bankruptcy-related appellate matters. Reno has appeared in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and other courts sitting in an appellate capacity under the Bankruptcy Code. He also consults on general bankruptcy litigation in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.

He has represented and advised many types of business and individuals with bankruptcy issues.

Reno’s experience includes representing technology companies, equipment manufacturers, equipment lessors, banks, hedge funds, medical clinics, residential care facilities, shopping centers, apartment and office buildings, hotels, food and beverage, retail chains, farms, wineries, churches, and nonprofits. Reno has also overseen creditor recovery, receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors.

Reno also participates on a number of prominent bankruptcy law-related committees.

He was chair of the Insolvency Law Committee of the State Bar of California, a member of the organizing committee of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ Next Generation Program, a member of the board of directors of the Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum, and chair of the Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco.

He has received a number of honors for his work.

Reno is rated a “Northern California Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers Magazine, and as a “Top Attorney” by San Francisco Magazine. He was twice awarded an Outstanding Volunteer Award by the Bar Association of San Francisco.

Education
Golden Gate University School of Law
J.D. (2007) | Law
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Honors: Witkin Award in Community Property CALI Award for Excellence in Community Property CALI Award for Excellence in Special Problems in Contracts and Torts CALI Award for Excellence in Intermediate Legal Writing Dean’s List
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University of California - Berkeley
B.A. (2004) | Philosophy
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Activities: Student Advocates Office, Caseworker Member Advocate, Berkeley Student Co-ops
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Professional Experience
Attorney
Binder Malter Harris & Rome-Banks LLP
- Current
Attorney
Macdonald Fernandez LLP
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Enforcing Arbitration Agreements in Bankruptcy
California Lawyers Association Business Law News, Issue 1
When a Nonprofit Corporation is Insolvent…
State Bar of California Business Law News, Issue 2
Getting to the Core of Arbitration in Bankruptcy
San Francisco Attorney Magazine
The Business Judgment Rule in the Central District of California
Legal by the Bay
If You Are A Spendthrift (Trust), Go To Hawaii
Legal By the Bay
Lien Priorities Altered When One Creditor Breaches Fiduciary Duties to Another
Legal by the Bay
Discharging Student Loans
Legal by the Bay
Enforcement of Non-Debtor Releases in International Insolvency Proceedings
State Bar of California Business Law News
Can Bitcoin be Used as Collateral to Secure a Loan?
Legal by the Bay
License Assumed While Related Agreements Rejected
Legal by the Bay
Discharging Trust-Related Claims in Bankruptcy
Bar Association of San Francisco
The Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (“BAP”) recently upheld summary judgment in favor of a creditor under Bankruptcy Code Section 523(a)(6), excepting from discharge debts for willful and malicious injury, in which the bankruptcy court applied is
Bankruptcy e-Bulletin, State Bar of California Business Law Section, Insolvency Law Committee
Social Security Cannot Be Attached to Reimburse Insurer
Legal by the Bay
Partnership That Never Existed Cannot Create Nondischargeable Debt
Legal by the Bay
Junior Mortgage Discharged Notwithstanding Fraud Allegations
Legal by the Bay
Under Washington Law, Marriage Establishes No Express or Technical Trust With Respect to the Exception from Discharge Provided in Bankruptcy Code Section 523(a)(4)
Legal by the Bay
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled that a Chapter 7 debtor lost her California homestead exemption when she failed to reinvest the proceeds within six months of a post-petition sale
Bankruptcy e-Bulletin, State Bar of California Business Law Section, Insolvency Law Committee
’Hamilton v. Lanning’ Redefines Consumer Bankruptcy Practice
The Recorder
Supreme Court Rules Section 526(a)(4)’s Limitation on Advice to Debtors is Constitutional
Bankruptcy e-Bulletin, State Bar of California Business Law Section, Insolvency Law Committee
Bankruptcy Code’s ‘Homestead Cap’ May Not Apply To Property Acquired More Than 1215 Days Pre-Petition Even If Debtor Established Residency More Recently
Bankruptcy e-Bulletin, State Bar of California Business Law Section, Insolvency Law Committee
Almond Growers Beat Secured Lenders in Priorities Fight
Non-Sequitur, Stanislaus County Bar Association Newsletter
Speaking Engagements
When a Nonprofit Corporation Is Insolvent: Considerations, Options and Procedures, Meeting of the Nonprofit Organizations Committee
State Bar of California's Business Law Section
Should I Stay, or Should I Go? Commercial Leases and Bankruptcy, 2016 Annual Summit
Real Property Section of the State Bar of California
Creditors' Rights and Remedies
Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)
Complex Case Analysis, California Bankruptcy Forum Annual Conference
License to Steal? Assumption and Rejection of Intellectual Property License Agreements in Bankruptcy
Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of California
Bankruptcy 101: Fundamentals for Non-Bankruptcy Litigators
Alameda County Bar Association
Ponzi Schemes: Expertly Defending the Innocent Investor, Los Angeles, CA
California Society of CPA's (CalCPA), Forensics and Investigations Section
Bankruptcy Appeals at All Levels
Bar Association of San Francisco, Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section
Bankruptcy Resources for Financial Educators
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Financial Education Network of San Francisco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT4tPQTkPxI&index=3&list=PLZBPA1cblWoga_JsD5ZoDhOAtCGzY37kI
’Show Me the Note’ and Other Recent Developments in California Foreclosure Law and Deficiencies, State Bar Annual Meeting
California State Bar
Chapter 11 in a Nutshell, State Bar Annual Meeting
California State Bar
https://calbar.inreachce.com/Details/Information/078be5f2-b8eb-4de9-8676-2ec8d47348f5
Tax, Regulatory and Bankruptcy Issues in Arbitration
Bar Association of San Francisco, Arbitration Committee
Business Bankruptcy Basics
LexVid Continuing Education
http://www.lexvid.com/cle/business-bankruptcy-basics-cle
How to Buy, Sell and Value a Law Practice
Bar Association of San Francisco, Senior Lawyers Section
https://basf.inreachce.com/Details?resultsPage=1&sortBy=recentlyaddedrecentlyadded&q=buy%2c+sell+law+practice&searchType=1&groupId=1e501559-b9f9-40f0-8dd7-c663cbd118b2
Certifications
Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law
California State Bar Board of Certification
Awards
Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers Magazine
2022-2023
Rising Star
Super Lawyers Magazine
2012-2021
Rising Star
Super Lawyers Magazine
Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star, 2015
2014 California Excellence Award
United States Institute for Advancement of Trade and Commerce
Macdonald Fernandez LLP Receives USIATC's California Excellence Award for 2014
Rising Star
Super Lawyers Magazine
Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star, 2014
Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers
San Francisco Magazine
San Francisco Magazine, Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers, 2014
Rising Star
Super Lawyers Magazine
Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star, 2013
Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers
San Francisco Magazine
San Francisco Magazine, Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers, 2013
Rising Star
Super Lawyers Magazine
Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star, 2012
Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers
San Francisco Magazine
San Francisco Magazine, Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers, 2012
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Bar Association of San Francisco
BASF Consumer Debt Clinic, Outstanding Volunteer Award - 2010
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Bar Association of San Francisco
BASF Consumer Debt Clinic, Outstanding Volunteer Award - 2009
Professional Associations
California Lawyers Association
Member
Current
Activities: Business Law Section; Executive Committee, Member 2017-2018; Co-Chair, Insolvency Law Committee 2016-2017.
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U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Bar Rules Advisory Group
Member
- Current
Activities: Leader, Chapter 11 Plan “Subgroup One” – 2014 Member, Payroll Form Revision Team – 2014
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National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, Next Generation Program
Member
- Current
Activities: Member, Organizing Committee, 2014 – Present Selectee, 2013
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California State Bar  # 251934
Member
- Current
Activities: Member, Insolvency Law Committee of the Business Law Section, 2013 - Present Member, Business Law Section, 2007 - Present Member, 2007 - Present
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Bar Association of San Francisco
Member
- Current
Activities: Immediate Past Chair, Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section – 2015 – Present Executive Committee, Business Law Section – 2015 – Present Chair, Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section – 2012 – 2014 Member, Board of Directors – 2012 –2013 Vice Chair, Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section – 2011 –2012
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Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum
Member
- Current
Activities: Member, Board of Directors, 2011 – Present Member, Publicity Committee, 2014 – Present
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BASF Barrister’s Club, Secretary, Board of Directors
Member
- Current
Activities: Member, Board of Directors, 2011 – 2013 Liaison to State Bar Conference of Delegates Committee, 2012 – 2013 Liaison to Criminal Law & Government Section, 2011 – 2013 Liaison to Construction Law Section, 2011 – 2012 Chair, Business, Commercial & Bankruptcy Section, 2010 – 2011
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BASF Consumer Debt Clinic
Volunteer
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Activities: Outstanding Volunteer Award – 2010 Outstanding Volunteer Award – 2009
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
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9th Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
    Bankruptcy
    Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
    Business Law
    Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. I have a small startup that some friends/family want to invest in.
A: Good question. The short answer is "yes." Some of the federal and state securities laws apply to all equity investments regardless of the status of the investor.

However, some investments are exempt from registration, which simplifies things and saves costs. For example, private offerings of stock are exempt from registration under Section 506(b) of the Securities Act of 1933. Such private placements are exempt from registration under California state law pursuant to Corporations Code Section 25102(f). Other exemptions may apply as well.

But it is important to know that: (1) each of these exemptions has other requirements that are not covered here but are crucially important; and (2) even if exempt, you must still file certain forms to let the government know you claim the exemption. For the federal government, the applicable form is "Form D." For California, the form is called a Limited Offering Exemption Notice (LOEN). Thank you. ... Read More
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Reno Fernandez' Website Profile
Website
Binder & Malter LLP Website
Blog
Northern California Bankruptcy Attorneys Blog
Contact & Map
Binder & Malter LLP
2775 Park Ave
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Telephone: (408) 295-1700
Fax: (408) 295-1531