Drowning in debt in Memphis? Start here.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee in Memphis is one of the highest-volume bankruptcy courts in the country — Tennessee leads the nation in Chapter 13 filings per capita. The lawyer you pick controls whether your case finishes in months or drags through trustee objections.
These 10 Memphis bankruptcy firms have decades of combined experience with the Western District of Tennessee bankruptcy court and its judges. All offer free initial consultations.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, creditor representation
30+ years in Memphis bankruptcy court. Ben Sissman is Super Lawyers-rated and handles both debtor and creditor sides — meaning he knows how trustees and creditor's counsel think.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, credit card debt, foreclosure defense
35+ years of consumer bankruptcy work in Memphis and Olive Branch, MS. Known for compassionate, client-first intake.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 13, disability, PI
John Dunlap has practiced since 1988 with extensive Western District of Tennessee bankruptcy court experience.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, PI, foreclosure defense
40+ years in Memphis. One of the most recognized consumer bankruptcy practices in West Tennessee.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, foreclosure defense
20+ years of dedicated consumer bankruptcy practice. Jonathan Garrett handles cases personally rather than handing them off to paralegals.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 13
Memphis-area bankruptcy boutique serving individual debtors across the full bankruptcy code chapters.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy, creditor rights, real estate
Memphis bankruptcy firm handling both consumer and creditor representation.
Practice focus: Business and consumer bankruptcy, litigation, PI
Memphis and Nashville offices. Handles business reorganizations alongside consumer cases.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, debt relief, foreclosure
Regional consumer bankruptcy firm with Memphis presence. High volume of Chapter 13 plans confirmed in the Western District.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy, family law, consumer debt
Memphis bankruptcy practice with steady client reviews emphasizing approachable intake and clear-fee structures.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted bankruptcy attorneys in Memphis. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Most Memphis bankruptcy cases resolve in Chapter 7: 3-6 months to discharge; Chapter 13: 3-5 year repayment plan. Cases are heard in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee at 200 Jefferson Avenue. The procedural rhythm is fast at the front end (intake, investigation, demand) and slower once the case is filed.
Timing differs by case type. Settlement-bound cases finish faster. Trial-bound cases run longer — sometimes much longer — because both sides invest in discovery, experts, and motion practice before a courtroom date.
Bankruptcy is a federal right; filing protects you from creditor harassment, wage garnishment, and most lawsuits via the automatic stay. That single rule shapes what kinds of cases are worth bringing and how aggressively your lawyer pursues each side of the story.
Standard Tennessee fee structure: Chapter 7 flat fees $1,000-$2,500; Chapter 13 fees $3,500-$5,000 (often paid through the plan). Case expenses are typically advanced by the firm and recovered from any settlement.
The all-in cost depends on how complex the case becomes. Cases that settle pre-suit cost the firm relatively little to prosecute. Cases that go to trial require investigators, experts, deposition transcripts, exhibits, and trial support — costs that can add up to five or six figures on a serious matter.
A reputable Memphis firm will explain the fee structure in writing before you sign, give you a realistic case-expense estimate, and document what happens to your file if you change lawyers later.
The legal directory you find on Google has hundreds of Memphis bankruptcy firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or outcome before reviewing your file, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Memphis lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
Most Memphis firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
Memphis is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee at 200 Jefferson Avenue have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. The applicable limitation is no filing deadline — but waiting hurts when wages are being garnished or a foreclosure sale is set. Government-defendant cases, pre-suit certification requirements, and notice requirements can be even shorter. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Memphis firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs and defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Tell us what happened. We'll match you with vetted Memphis firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
Most consumers choose between Chapter 7 (debts discharged, no repayment) and Chapter 13 (3-5 year repayment plan that can save a house from foreclosure). The right choice depends on your income, assets, and whether you're behind on a mortgage.
Chapter 7 attorney fees in Memphis run $1,000-$2,500 flat, plus a $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 fees are $3,500-$5,000 and are typically paid through your repayment plan rather than up front.
Tennessee's homestead exemption protects up to $5,000 of home equity ($7,500 for joint owners). Vehicles are protected up to $3,500. Equity above these limits can be at risk in Chapter 7. Chapter 13 lets you keep secured property by catching up on missed payments through the plan.
Yes. The automatic stay takes effect the moment your case is filed. Garnishments, foreclosure sales, repossessions, and most lawsuits must stop immediately.
Chapter 7 stays on your credit report for 10 years. Chapter 13 stays for 7. That said, most filers see their credit scores recover within 18-24 months of discharge.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team