Biographies

Stephen E. Berken

Academic Information:
B.A., Political Science, University of California, 1981, Cum Laude
J.D., Hastings College of the Law, University of California, 1984
Date admitted to practice: November 1, 1985

Bar Admissions:
Colorado Supreme Court, 1985
United States District Court – District of Colorado, 1985
United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, 1992
United States Supreme Court, September 2008

Experience:
Over the last twenty years, Mr. Berken has lectured at many Continuing Legal Education seminars, including those sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute.   Mr. Berken is a former board certified expert in consumer bankruptcy law (American Bankruptcy Board of Certification), and has written several articles regarding representing consumer debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.   He has prosecuted hundreds of motions and adversary cases.
 
He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and a member of the National Association of Consumer Attorneys.   He sponsors an Internet “Listserv” for Debtors’ counsel in the state of Colorado.   The Listserv has more than 170 members and is provided as a free service to counsel of the Debtors’ Bar.

He is the Colorado State Chair of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys as well as the Colorado State Co-chair for the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI).

STEPHEN E. BERKEN is an attorney in Denver, Colorado.  His practice focuses on areas of bankruptcy law, debt work-outs, violations of the Colorado Trust Fund Statute.
 
Mr. Berken earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of California in 1981, and his J.D. degree from Hastings College of the Law, University of California in 1984.  Mr. Berken has lectured for various professional groups, including Continuing Legal Education. Working from the Denver office, Mr. Berken handles cases involving Chapter 7 and 13, defense and prosecution of bankruptcy adversary matters, state court litigation involving the Colorado Mechanic's Lien statute.
 
Mr. Berken has represented debtors and parties in the following published opinions:
In re Garberding, 338 B.R. 463, 2005 Bankr. LEXIS 2666.
 In re Paul Robinson, 987 F.2d 665, 1993 U.S. App. LEXIS 3013, Bankr. L. Rep. (CCH) P75, 171 (10th Cir. 1993)
 In re Regan, 326 B.R. 175, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10799, (D. Colo. 2005),  Fowler & Peth, Inc. v. Regan (In re Regan), 311 B.R. 271, 2004 Bankr. LEXIS 927 (Bankr. D. Colo., 2004)In re Griffey, 335 B.R. 166, 2005 Bankr. LEXIS 2400, (BAP 10th Cir. 2005).
 In re Huyck, 252 B.R. 509, 2000 Bankr. LEXIS 998, (Bankr. D. Colo. 2000).
 In re Vogt,  257 B.R. 65; 2000 Bankr. LEXIS 1542; 37 Bankr. Ct. Dec. 42 December 6, 2000. In re Rodriquez, Sr., 140 B.R. 796, 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 506, 9 Colo Bankr Ct Rep 104
 In re Gomez, Case, 140 B.R. 796; 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 506; 9 Colo Bankr Ct Rep 104.
 In re Norman, 95 B.R. 771, 1989 Bankr. LEXIS 90, 18 Bankr. Ct. Dec. 1402; 6 Colo Bankr Ct Rep 119; 6 Colo Bankr Ct Rep 119.
 In re Shafner, 165 B.R. 660, 1994 Bankr. LEXIS 434, Bankr. L. Rep. (CCH) P75,851; 25 Bankr. Ct. Dec. 732.
 In re Cassar, 137 B.R. 1022, 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 394, 9 Colo Bankr Ct Rep 105, 137 B.R. 1022; 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 394; 9 Colo Bankr Ct Rep 105
 In re Howard, 169 B.R. 71, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8492, June 20, 1994.
 In re Rome, 162 B.R. 872, 1993 Bankr. LEXIS 1994, 10 Colo Bankr Ct Rep 196. 
 In re Zwern, 181 B.R. 80; 1995 Bankr. LEXIS 486; 12 Colo Bankr Ct Rep 58.
 
 
Mr. Berken’s published articles include:
 1. Consumer Workshop IV: Case Law Update, Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference Faculty, Thursday, February 10, 2004
 
 2. 'Til Debt Do Us Part: Hot Topics in Bankruptcy & Family Law, Annual Spring Family Law Update (2002)
 
 3. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Basics, CLE, September 11, 2002, Introduction to Basic Terms and Concepts--Differences Between Chapter 7 & 13 and Initial Client Intake & Interview. 
 
 4. Bankruptcy Practice in Prosperous Times, August 5, 2000 Colorado CLE.

Stephen S. Chang, Esq.

Education:
B.A., Linguistics and East Asian Cultures and Languages, University of California, Los Angeles, 2000
J.D., Hastings College of the Law, University of California, 2003
Executive Editor, Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly, 2003

Bar Admissions:
State Bar of California, 2003
United States District Court – Central District of California, 2003
Colorado Supreme Court, 2007
United States District Court – District of Colorado, 2007
United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, 2008
United States Supreme Court, September 2008

Experience:
Mr. Chang was born in New York, and has had extensive experience in both California and Colorado in a variety of legal matters ranging from bankruptcy, trust fund violations, homeowner association disputes, breach of contract, and intellectual property disputes.  At the Law Offices of Stephen E. Berken, Mr. Chang’s practice is primarily focused on providing clients with sound advice on financial planning, debt consolidation, fair credit reporting, fair debt collection practices and bankruptcy matters.  Additionally, Mr. Chang litigates cases involving the collection of unpaid funds by subcontractors, personal injury and breach of contract.

Languages:
Mr. Chang is fluent in Taiwanese and Mandarin, and is conversational in Spanish.

 

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Michael J. Kleinman

Michael J. Kleinman  has 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer and presently specializes in Construction defect cases which he has litigated for almost 30 years, complex litigation and Consumer Class actions. Mr. Kleinman was been approved as Class Counsel in the Nationally Certified Class Lester vs. AT&T Wireless 1999CV8267.  That case settled on behalf of over 800,000 members and the Court approved $3.75 million in fees and costs.  Counsel was also approved as Class Counsel in State Class Action in Reichl and Fader vs. Jiffy Lube International and Colorado Lubrication 02CV888 and 1751 settlement approved by Jefferson County District Court and in Federal Class Action Deborah and Barry Marcus vs, Colorado Auto Finders 05CV01434 EWN where Settlement was approved by Federal District Court. In addition, Counsel has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver College of Law during from 2000-2002

Rick Wynkoop is a Colorado trial attorney dedicated to representing consumers. He has successfully represented individuals against car dealers, debt collectors, builders, lenders and other big businesses. Licenced in both Colorado state and federal courts he is a member of the Faculty of Federal Advocates, the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Consumer Advocates.