The 5 Best Bankruptcy Lawyers in Ottawa
Michael Scott yelling, “I declare bankruptcy” to the entire office may be iconic, but it’s just not a valid legal action. Luckily, there are bankruptcy lawyers who can provide you with sound advice on how to navigate your finances when you’re over the edge.
We put together a list of the best bankruptcy lawyers in Ottawa who can help you, but before that, let’s first dive into how much filing for bankruptcy would cost.
How Much Do Bankruptcy Lawyers in Ottawa Cost?
The cost of bankruptcy would differ for each individual depending on their monthly income, assets, expenses, and even family size.
Generally, there’s a required minimum contribution to cover administrative costs such as government fees, the bankruptcy trustee’s time, among many others.
Many bankruptcy attorneys will charge a flat rate to represent you in a bankruptcy case. This means paying a fixed amount for the attorney to represent you, regardless of the amount of time the attorney spends on your case.
The table below summarizes the average cost of bankruptcy.
| COMPONENTS | AVERAGE COST |
| A consumer proposal, which can only be put together and administered by a licensed bankruptcy trustee | Around $1,500 |
| Filing Fee or Monthly Contributions | $1,800 or 9 monthly installments of $200 |
| Surplus Income Payments | Every dollar that a bankrupt makes above a predetermined income threshold is subject to a surplus income payment of 50% |
The Best Bankruptcy Lawyers in Ottawa
Now that you’re informed about some of these costs, let’s get into the list of the top bankruptcy lawyers in Ottawa. Take note that this list is in no particular order.
1. Eric Lay, Merovitz Potechin LLP
| SERVICES | Personal Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Collections, Disputes & Litigation, Employment Law, Real Estate, Business Law, Wills, Trusts & Estates |
| WEBSITE | https://www.merovitzpotechin.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 1565 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Z 8R1, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: +1 613 563-7544 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mondays to Fridays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Eric Lay is an associate at Merovitz Potechin LLP, a firm that has been serving the community of Ottawa since 1976. Thanks to Eric Lay and his associates, this firm is one of the few law firms in Ottawa well-equipped to handle insolvency and collection issues that affect debtors, creditors, and trustees.
Going through bankruptcy is obviously difficult, but previous clients have commended Eric for championing them and being able to pick clear paths through even the most complex disputes.
For clients looking for legal advice in dealing with bankruptcy, Eric has decades of experience in the preparation and review of creditor proposals and creditor-opposed discharge hearings.
The firm’s team of lawyers also have years of litigation experience which helps in them being able to navigate tricky proceedings. Their experience also means them having intensive knowledge on how to protect the rights and best interests of their clients during bankruptcy.
Merovitz Potechin also makes sure that their clients can identify and evaluate their options. Previous clients have attested to this firm being able to help them make an informed decision about their future and find the right strategy to get them back on their feet.
Aside from personal bankruptcy, Merovitz Potechin LLP also handles all sides of insolvency and collection matters, so they are familiar with strategies that involve secured and unsecured debt collection.
Pros
- Recognized Lawyer
- Award-winning firm, based on peer review
- Expertise in Insolvency & Collections
- Has a team of 17 lawyers with decades of litigation experience
- Supports several community causes, activities, and initiatives
Cons
- Expensive services
- Bilingual services not guaranteed
Customer Reviews
Check out reviews about Merovitz Potechin LLP from previous clients:
“A huge thank you to Eric lay for looking after our legal battle. He was professional and really went above and beyond for us. And even went into his own time to help too. Thank you so much.”
“I would like thank Mr. Eric Lay for his outstanding work, very professional, responsive and efficient!”
“We needed a second opinion and advice on a sensitive matter. We found Eric Lay to be professional, friendly and efficient. We received timely and extremely useful advice. We believe Eric went above and beyond which really helped us to better understand and react to the situation. The service was awesome and the prices reasonable. Thanks again Eric !! We highly recommend Merovitz Potechin law firm.”
2. Chris McLeod, Mann Lawyers LLP
| SERVICES | Bankruptcy, Business, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Disability Insurance Claims, Employment, Human Rights and Labour, Environmental Law, Estate Litigation, Franchise Law, Family, Litigation, Personal Injury, Real Estate, Services for Professionals, Wills and Estates |
| WEBSITE | https://www.mannlawyers.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 11 Holland Ave #300, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4S1, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: +1 613 722-1500 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mondays to Fridays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Head of Commercial Litigation at Mann Lawyers LLP, Chris McLeod practices predominantly in the areas of corporate and commercial litigation as well as personal bankruptcy matters.
Chris McLeod has represented clients in different litigation disputes both for corporate and commercial. This includes bankruptcy matters as well other contract disputes among many others.
Mann Lawyers LLP is one of the go-to firms for clients facing bankruptcy, as they specialize in insolvency and bankruptcy cases. Their lawyers have extensive practical experience and clients have relied on their service for legal support.
For debtors seeking advice before filing an assignment or seeking help understanding proposals and reorganizations, Mann Lawyers LLP can help. They also provide legal opinions for trustees.
The firm also provides bankruptcy court representation and can help with negotiation and settlement with creditors. They also offer services in regards to surplus income disputes, alleged fraudulent transactions, and seeking discharge of student loans.
They’re also commended for complex commercial insolvency and receiverships and they provide referrals to trustees for filing of assignments and proposals.
Pros
- Recognized Lawyer, based on peer review
- Award-winning firm
- Has a broad range of legal services with areas of specialty include bankruptcy
- Has a team of 30 lawyers with decades of litigation experience
- Participates in community and charitable events
Cons
- Firm can be hard to reach
- Bilingual services not guaranteed
Customer Reviews
Five-star reviews from previous clients of Mann Lawyers LLP read:
“Best Lawyers in the business. Prompt and honest and straight forward.”
“First encounter with this team and walked away very happy with the responsiveness and with how engaged they were. Recommended!”
“Very professional and capable law firm – exactly what one needs in a law firm”
3. Eric Appotive, Kelly Santini LLP
| SERVICES | Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Business, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Real Estate & Development, Not-for-Profit, Personal |
| WEBSITE | http://www.kellysantini.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 160 Elgin St #2401, Ottawa, ON K2P 2P7, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: +1 613 238-6321 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mondays to Fridays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Eric Appotive is a partner at Kelly Santini LLP and has over 37 years of experience honing his skills and knowledge to effectively advise and represent his clients.
Many previous clients have commended Eric for being someone they can count on his guidance and recommendations, particularly when the tough decisions need to be made.
For bankruptcy and insolvency, Kelly Santini LLP lawyers can find their clients practical, efficient and cost-effective remedies. They have extensive experience advising financial institutions, trustees and business owners on various bankruptcy matters.
They are also frequently asked to provide general advice to businesses, directors and officers on their duties and obligations.
Kelly Santini LLP also has experience with various clientele dealing with receiverships, proposals to creditors, restructurings, refinancing, or debt realization. This firm’s reputation is built on helping its clients facing financial difficulty and potential bankruptcy.
The team at Kelly Santini LLP has also been advising local, national, and international business owners as well as not-for-profits and private individuals on all their legal needs since 1976.
Pros
- Recognized Lawyer, based on peer review
- Award-winning firm
- Participates in community and charitable events
- Also specializes in commercial litigation, construction and real estate disputes, and insurance defence
Cons
- Limited client support on weekends
- Not bilingual
Customer Reviews
Reviews about Kelly Santini LLP from happy clients are below:
“Wonderful people and amazing staff, serving clients with honesty and integrity.”
“This law firm is very professional, thorough, and efficient. We will be using them again.”
4. Lisa Langevin, Kelly Santini LLP
| SERVICES | Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Business, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Real Estate & Development, Not-for-Profit, Personal |
| WEBSITE | http://www.kellysantini.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 160 Elgin St #2401, Ottawa, ON K2P 2P7, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: +1 613 238-6321 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mondays to Fridays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Lisa Langevin is a partner in the Kelly Santini LLP litigation group with a focus on commercial disputes and banking litigation including debt recovery and insolvency matters.
She is a bilingual litigator and mediator, and has appeared on behalf of clients before the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal, among various administrative tribunals.
A fluently bilingual litigator, Lisa is often asked to act on files throughout Eastern and Northern Ontario where her ability to work seamlessly in English and French is a valued asset for her clients.
As mentioned earlier, Kelly Santini LLP has extensive experience with various clientele dealing with receiverships, proposals to creditors, restructurings, refinancing, or debt realization.
For clients who are not hesitant about consulting a lawyer, the team at this firm takes the time to learn their clients’ needs, address their questions, and provide confident legal advice to deliver the outcome they seek.
The firm has been advising business owners, not-for-profits organizations, and private individuals on all their legal needs for almost four decades.
Pros
- Award-winning firm
- Participates in community and charitable events
- Specializes in alternative dispute resolution
- Also specializes in commercial litigation, insurance defence, and mortgage and debt enforcement
- Firm has a team of professionals including partners with over 25 years of experience
- Offers bilingual services
Cons
- Expensive services
- Limited client support on weekends
Customer Reviews
Check out some positive reviews about Kelly Santini LLP from previous clients below:
“Excellent experience. Professional, relatable, and care.”
“ I highly recommend Kelly Santini and their team.”
5. Chuck Merovitz, Merovitz Potechin LLP
| SERVICES | Personal Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Collections, Disputes & Litigation, Employment Law, Real Estate, Business Law, Wills, Trusts & Estates |
| WEBSITE | https://www.merovitzpotechin.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 1565 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Z 8R1, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: +1 613 563-7544 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mondays to Fridays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Chuck Merovitz is also an associate at Merovitz Potechin LLP, one of the few go-to law firms in Ottawa for insolvency and bankruptcy issues.
Previous clients have commended this firm, particularly Chuck, for being able to deal with anything from a shareholder dispute, a sensitive estate matter, or helping clients deal with bankruptcy.
Chuck offers a sophisticated knowledge of the law, and for clients looking for legal advice in dealing with bankruptcy, Chuck Merovitz has decades of experience in the preparation and review of creditor proposals.
Aside from personal bankruptcy, Merovitz Potechin LLP also handles all sides of insolvency and collection matters, so they are familiar with strategies that involve secured and unsecured debt collection.
The firm also has experience in discharging student loans and handling challenges to the validity of transfers of the home and other assets that often come up.
Merovitz Potechin also makes sure that their clients can make informed decisions about their finances and their team helps their clients find the right strategy for them.
Pros
- Recognized and Another award-winning firm, based on peer review
- Expertise in Insolvency & Collections
- Has a team of 17 lawyers with decades of litigation experience
- Supports several community causes, activities, and initiatives
Cons
- Expensive services
- Not bilingual
Customer Reviews
Check out reviews about Merovitz Potechin LLP from previous clients:
“We had a problem that was hard to solve but when I reached out to Chuck Merovitz I saw genuine results within a couple of days. They were very good to work with and were professional and effective in bringing our case to a positive close. I highly recommend them. Thank you very much Chuck, Frank, and Megan.”
“This firm offers great on-the-fly/online legal advice. I was amazed on how quick they responded. I had a legal question that required immediate attention so that I know best course of action. We exchanged emails back and forth. I felt really supported. Thank you Chuck Merovitz.”
FAQs on Bankruptcy Lawyers
Declaring bankruptcy is never easy, but it might be slightly easier with a lawyer by your side.
If you know other bankruptcy lawyers in Ottawa who have previously helped you, let us know so we can check if they should be included in this list too.
We have other lists you can check out consisting of the best lawyers in Ottawa practicing different niches, including the best immigration lawyers in Ottawa.