At Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP, we know that choosing a lawyer is an important decision for our clients. Many of our clients have never had the need to hire a lawyer and do not know where to begin. We believe the following aspects are important in choosing the right lawyer.

Accessibility. Choose a lawyer who is accessible. After all, what good is a lawyer if you never get to talk with your lawyer. When you call a law firm, consider whether you get to talk with a lawyer, even if you are not yet a client, or if you are told that you can only speak to a staff person or a legal assistant until after your first appointment. At Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP, most of the time you will be able to speak with a lawyer on your very first phone call. All of our lawyers try to take calls from clients as they come in, and we pride ourselves at promptly returning clients' phone calls. At some of the high volume law firms, the clients are actually photographed so the lawyer who attends the hearing will be able to recognize the client. In our firm, we make every effort to have the same lawyer who meets with you on the first visit, be with you every step of the way, including your hearing.

Local. Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP is a local law firm. We have been providing bankruptcy services to this community for over 24 years. Lately, some national bankruptcy law firms have opened offices in this area. They are managed by out of state lawyers who are not familiar with our local courts and bankruptcy bar. These firms typically hire lawyers who are new to the practice of law. We strongly suggest you consider choosing a lawyer who has long had local ties such as Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP.

Experience. If you needed medical surgery, you would obviously want to have a doctor who has performed the type of surgery many times. The same holds true with lawyers. Bankruptcy is a complex process. You deserve and need a lawyer with many years of experience because of the skill that is acquired from the experience. Mr. Vanden Bos has over 25 years of experience in bankruptcy, all in Oregon. Ann Chapman has been representing bankruptcy clients in Oregon for over 20 years. Our legal assistants and staff have many years of experience in the bankruptcy field (most have more than 15 years experience). Several of them have worked in the Chapter 13 Trustee's office, prior to working at Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP. This combined experience will be available to you as one of our clients.

Respected. You need and should choose a lawyer who has the respect of the legal community. Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP prides itself on providing quality legal services to its clients and enjoys the respect of the legal community.

Numerous other attorneys have indicated their confidence in our firm by referring their clients to us when those clients need bankruptcy representation. We have been referred clients from virtually every major firm in the Portland vicinity. We have received referrals from lawyers throughout the State, including lawyers in the cities of Astoria, Bend, Eugene, Grants Pass, Hood River, LaGrande, Newport, Pendleton, Salem, Seaside, and The Dalles and from out-of-state attorneys. These lawyers refer their clients to us because they have confidence that their clients will be in good hands. If lawyers have confidence in Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP to refer their clients to Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP, you can retain Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP with equal confidence. We encourage you to verify our reputation with your own lawyer or with any other source.

For over 100 years the independent firm of Martindale-Hubbell has conducted peer review ratings for lawyers throughout the United States. Click on Martindale-Hubbell's logo too for a detailed explanation of the peer review process. Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP holds the "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell. This is Martindale-Hubble's highest rating and is held by only the top ten percent of attorneys nationally.

Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP has also been selected for inclusion in the "Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers", again an honor that is held by less than 10% of lawyers nationally.

Specialized But Well Rounded. Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP is unique among most of the bankruptcy law firms in Portland in that Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP has expertise in handling virtually all aspects of bankruptcy, including both consumer and business Chapter 7 cases, consumer and business Chapter 13 cases, and Chapter 11 individual and business reorganizations. In addition, Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP has represented creditors in Chapters 7, 13 and 11 cases and creditors' committees in Chapter 11 cases. We specialize in complex individual Chapter 7 and 13 cases, often receiving referrals from other attorneys who prefer to handle only "simple" cases. Representing clients in the many different aspects of bankruptcy has given us a unique perspective in analyzing the possible issues that might arise, because we are able to see a case from many different points of view based on our experience.

Compatibility. Ultimately, you should choose a lawyer that you feel comfortable working with. Bankruptcy is a difficult and often stressful process. You need a lawyer who will treat you as an individual and not a number. We treat our clients with the dignity they deserve and see to it that the Court system does likewise. You need someone you can openly and candidly discuss your case with because the lawyer needs to know as much as possible about you and your case in order to effectively represent you. At Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP we pride ourselves on being good listeners. We know that most of our clients never dreamed that they would ever hire a bankruptcy attorney. We will help guide you through this difficult time in your life.