Richard N. Gottlieb, Esq.

Mr. Gottlieb focuses the firm, and his practice, on representing Debtors, Creditors, and Trustees in Bankruptcy. Mr. Gottlieb has represented clients in Chapters 7, 11, and 13 Bankruptcies, as well as in adversary proceedings within these and other Bankruptcies. Mr. Gottlieb currently represents a wide range of Debtors and Creditors in their complex Bankruptcies involving both corporate and individual issues, at times simultaneously. Mr. Gottlieb’s extensive knowledge and understanding of Bankruptcy law, mortgage regulations, and banking matters allow clients feel at ease despite going through a difficult time in their lives. Mr. Gottlieb is known to give seminars on Bankruptcy law for Massachusetts District Court Judges, as well as Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Judges, due to his deep knowledge of the Bankruptcy Code, and other related matters.

Mr. Gottlieb’s notable cases include

  • Bellas Pavers, LLC v. Stewart, (Adversary No. 09–01329–WCH) Mr. Gottlieb successfully represented the Debtor against a Creditor in an adversary proceeding which alleged that the Debtor fraudulently incurred the debt. Mr. Gottlieb successfully defended his client in the Bankruptcy Court, before the Honorable William C. Hillman. Subsequently, Mr. Gottlieb successfully argued against the appeal taken at the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, which ultimately upheld Judge Hillman’s decision below. (B.A.P. 1st Cir. Oct. 18, 2012)
  • In re Ladevereaux, Slip Copy, 2006 WL 549239 (Bkrtcy.D.Mass., March 6, 2006) Successfully disgorged $5,700 from predecessor counsel under 11 U.S.C. § 329(a) and (b) based on knowing and intentional failure to disclose additional compensation received by him from debtor and debtor’s mother; Predecessor counsel was ultimately disbarred by the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers.
  • In re Massimo DeNadai, 259 B.R. 801 affirmed 272 B.R. 21 (Bankr. D. Mass., 2001) Successfully objected to Debtor’s claims of exemption and exclusion under §§ 541(a)(6) and 541(c)(2) with respect to employee stock options, garnering more than $80,000 for the estate.
  • In re Martin, 232 B.R. 29 (Bankr. D. Mass., 1999) Appeared as amicus curiae for National Consumer Law Foundation in Chapter 13 and successfully argued for position that allowed debtors to pay off Chapter 13 plans from proceeds of refinancing subject to filing amended Chapter 13 plan demonstrating compliance with 11 U.S.C. § 1325(b)(1)(B).
  • In re Paulette F. Straub, Chapter 13, Case No. 96-10116-CJK (U.S. Bankr. D. Mass., 1996). Successfully confirmed and completed “cram-down Chapter 13 plan, including “balloon payment” feature, that effectively removed more than $100,000.00 of liens against residence/farm of debtor, despite debtor’s default in payments to Chapter 13 Trustee and mortgagee’s obtaining of relief from the automatic stay prior to retention in case.

Prior to forming the firm, Mr. Gottlieb worked as the F.D.I.C.’s primary bankruptcy counsel in the New England area for over six years. In his position at the F.D.I.C., Mr. Gottlieb was responsible for representing the F.D.I.C. as Receiver for over 35 failed financial institutions, including Bankruptcy and commercial litigation matters in the United States Bankruptcy Courts and District Courts in the New England Area. Mr. Gottlieb was personally responsible for recovering between $75 and $100 million in Bankruptcy and collection claims. Mr. Gottlieb was solely responsible for over 1200 Bankruptcy cases for the F.D.I.C. during the first nine (9) months of appointment, without a support staff. During that time, in 1995, Mr. Gottlieb received dual Board Certification from the American Board of Certification (formerly known as the American Bankruptcy Board of Certification) in both Consumer and Business Bankruptcy Laws as separate disciplines.

Mr. Gottlieb is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of Colorado, the District of Columbia, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and the United States First Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Gottlieb earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from New England Law | Boston, and a Master of Laws and Letters in American Banking Law Studies from Boston University, School of Law.  Mr. Gottlieb was recertified by the American Board of Certification in 2000, 2005, and 2010, and currently holds these certifications. Mr. Gottlieb has served as adjunct faculty, teaching Bankruptcy Law at Bentley University, New England Law | Boston, and Northeastern University Law School.