LESLIE COHEN LAW PC
BANKRUPTCY
PRACTICE
Bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, workouts and acquisitions
Leslie Cohen Law PC provides top-quality, cost-effective representation to businesses and individuals in bankruptcy and insolvency matters, bankruptcy litigation, reorganization, financial disputes, out-of-court workouts, structuring, restructuring, and reorganization.
Ms. Cohen has successfully reorganized many companies and individuals under Chapter 11 (including subchapter V Chapter 11 cases) in a multitude of industries including, among others, real estate, entertainment, manufacturing, hospitality, solar and livestock. The firm also represents businesses and individuals in Chapter 7 cases, nondischargeability actions and all other bankruptcy litigation matters.
The firm represents debtors, creditors, parties to contracts, claimants, litigation plaintiffs and defendants in bankruptcy adversary proceedings, family members, shareholders and other parties in interest in bankruptcy cases.
Ms. Cohen has represented numerous asset purchasers and sellers in negotiating, structuring, litigating and completing bankruptcy acquisitions and contract assumptions as well as rejections involving real, personal and intellectual property.
Ms. Cohen is an experienced litigator in bankruptcy court, having successfully tried cases ranging from cram-down reorganization plans to multimillion dollar bankruptcy lawsuits including nondischargeability, objection to discharge, objections to claims, fraudulent conveyance and preference claims.
In addition to her bankruptcy litigation expertise, Ms. Cohen advises companies and individuals on a consulting basis. Her approach is to always first consider the viability of working matters out and avoiding bankruptcy altogether, and then planning for potential bankruptcy or other financial difficulties.
Ms. Cohen’s extensive experience along with the firm’s lean operating model provides clients with exceptional legal advice at a competitive price.
PRACTICE
AREAS
Bankruptcy and insolvency matters, bankruptcy litigation, reorganization, workouts and acquisitions
LESLIE COHEN
LESLIE COHEN
Tel: 310-394-5900x103
Leslie A. Cohen is an attorney and owner of Leslie Cohen Law, PC in Santa Monica, CA. Ms. Cohen represents businesses and individuals in bankruptcy and insolvency matters, financial disputes, structuring, restructuring, reorganization, adversary proceedings and appeals. Ms. Cohen has represented numerous asset purchasers and sellers in negotiating and litigating bankruptcy acquisitions and contract assumptions and rejections. In addition to Ms. Cohen’s bankruptcy, state and federal court litigation expertise, she also advises companies on structuring and funding of special purpose entities, distress acquisitions, and workouts. Ms. Cohen is a member of the Bankruptcy Mediation Panel for the Central District of California. Ms. Cohen has been an editor of the California Bankruptcy Journal since 2007. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Santa Monica Bar Association.
Ms. Cohen holds an AV peer rating, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability, and has been ranked as a Super Lawyer every year since 2005.
Ms. Cohen is an editor of the California Bankruptcy Journal, where she has published 3 articles over the last 2 years. Ms. Cohen is also a frequent lecturer for for the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the UCLA Anderson Business School, and the UCLA undergraduate program.
EDUCATION & ADMISSION
Ms. Cohen received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego and went on to obtain her Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law, where she was an Associate Editor of the UCLA Law Review.
Ms. Cohen is admitted to the State Bar of California.
PUBLICATIONS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Cohen is an active lecturer and author. She lectures regularly at the University of California, Los Angeles for both the undergraduate business law program and the Anderson School of Business graduate program. She has also spoken for the International Conference of Shopping Centers, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the American Bar Association, the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the Financial Lawyers Conference, the Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum, and the Century City Bar Association, as well as for private firms. Ms. Cohen’s recent speaking engagements have included:
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2023 – Co-producer, Crossfire, ABI Battleground West Crossfire Panel
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2022 – Panelist, Crossfire, ABI Battleground West Crossfire Panel
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2021 – Panelist, Crossfire, ABI Battleground West Crossfire Panel
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2021 – Arbitration - Getting to the "core" of the issue, ABI Battleground West Crossfire Panel
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2021 – The Cannabis Conundrum, ABI Battleground West Crossfire Panel
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2018 – The Travails of the Western Homestead – Section 724 and Priority Non-dischargeable Debt, California Bankruptcy Forum
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2017 – California Bankruptcy Forum, Consumer Bankruptcy Program Co-Chair
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2016 – Practicing in the Limelight: Celebrity Bankruptcies, Winter Leadership Conference, American Bankruptcy Institute
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2015 – Learning to Live in the Fishbowl: Individual Bankruptcy Cases, Bankruptcy Battleground West, American Bankruptcy Institute
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2013 – Individual Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, American Bar Association Annual Meeting
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2012 – Bankruptcy for Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers, Los Angeles Family Law Study Group
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2011 – Basic Bankruptcy, American Bar Association Annual Meeting
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2011 – Bankruptcy for Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers, National Solo & Small Firm Conference, American Bar Association
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2011 – Individual Chapter 11 Cases, Southwestern Bankruptcy Conference, American Bankruptcy Institute
CHARITABLE, PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Ms. Cohen has served as a member of the Editorial Board of the California Bankruptcy Journal since 2007. She served on the board of the UCLA School of Law Alumni Association from 2005 to 2011 and is a lifetime UCLA alumni member. She is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and spoke at their Southwest Bankruptcy Conference in September 2011, at the ABI’s “Bankruptcy Battleground West” and 2015, and the ABI Winter Leadership Conference in December 2016.
Ms. Cohen formerly served as a co-chair of the bankruptcy section of the American Bar Association (ABA) GP/Solo/Small Firm division, and spoke about bankruptcy matters at the ABA’s Annual Meetings in August 2011, 2012 and 2013, and the Small Firm Division’s gathering in October 2011.
Ms. Cohen is an active member and currently serves as secretary of the Executive Board and Board of Trustees of Santa Monica Bar Association.
Ms. Cohen has also lectured for the Los Angeles Family Law Study Group. She was the chair of the bankruptcy section of the Century City Bar Association from 1991 until 2001 and has also served on the board of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Research Center, and University Synagogue.
Ms. Cohen is active in the Bankruptcy Mediation Panel for the Central District of California, having served on the Panel since 1996, and in 2004, she received an award for being the most requested mediator in the northern division.
In 2009, Ms. Cohen established the Leslie Cohen Law Running Team. In 2010, she successfully trained 19 students for admission to the Santa Monica High School Cross Country team and in 2010 and 2011 competed in triathlons to raise money to fund the team. In April 2012, Ms. Cohen launched her inaugural race event, the 310k Run/Walk Powered by Leslie Cohen Law. As of 2022, the 310k has raised over $110,000 for Public Counsel Debtor Assistance Project.
In 2023, Ms. Cohen was featured in an article by Abbott World Marathon Majors ahead of the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
https://wmmajors.shorthandstories.com/AGWC/
AWARDS
In 2004, Ms. Cohen received an award from the Bankruptcy Mediation Panel for being the most requested mediator in the northern division of the Central District of California.
She has been recognized by Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in Southern California every year since 2004. She was named one of the "Top 50 Women Attorneys" in Southern California by Super Lawyers from 2006 to 2009 and in 2018. In 2009, Ms. Cohen was also named one of the “Top 100 Attorneys” in Southern California by Super Lawyers.
In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Ms. Cohen received the Patron of the Year Award from Santa Monica High School Track and Cross Country for her fundraising efforts. In September 2016, she received the James King Community Service Award from Public Counsel in recognition of her work in connection with her annual 5K, the 310k powered by Leslie Cohen Law.
Junior Partner
J'AIME WILLIAMS KERPER
Tel: 310-394-5900x104
J’aime Williams Kerper is an attorney and Junior Partner at Leslie Cohen Law, PC in Santa Monica, CA. Ms. Williams Kerper represents businesses and individuals in bankruptcy and insolvency matters, financial disputes, structuring, restructuring, reorganization, adversary proceedings and appeals. Ms. Williams Kerper has represented asset purchasers and sellers in negotiating and litigating bankruptcy acquisitions and contract assumptions and rejections. In addition to Ms. Williams Kerper's bankruptcy, federal and appellate court litigation, she also advises companies on structuring, distress acquisitions, and workouts. Ms. Williams Kerper has been an editor of the California Bankruptcy Journal since 2018.
Ms. Williams Kerper is admitted to the State Bar of California.
EDUCATION AND ADMISSION
Ms. Williams Kerper received her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University's Seaver College and went on to obtain her Juris Doctor and Master of Dispute Resolution from the Pepperdine University School of Law, where she was an Lead Articles Editor of the National Association of Administration Law Judges Journal.
During law school, Ms. Williams Kerper was an active moot court competitor and placed in both national and international moot court competitions including Vis International Arbitration Moot 2008 (Vienna Quarter-Finalist), UNC Holderness Moot Court Craven Competition 2008 (Semi-Finalist), Constance Baker Motley Constitutional Law Moot 2007 (National Semi-Finalist), and Arabian Advocacy Tournament 2006 (Quarterfinalist).
In 2008, Ms. Williams Kerper also externed for Judge Barry Russell of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Central District of California.
CHARITABLE, PROFESSIONAL, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Ms. Williams Kerper remains actively involved in Pepperdine University School of Law’s moot court program. Since 2010, she has coached numerous Pepperdine teams at national and international competitions. Mrs. Kerper also serves on the judging panels for multiple Pepperdine competitions each year.
From 2012 to 2019, Ms. Williams Kerper planned and coordinated Leslie Cohen Law's annual 5K run/walk, which raises money for the Public Counsel Debtor Assistance Project and the Santa Monica High School Cross Country and Track and Field programs.
AWARDS
In 2018, Ms. Williams Kerper was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine.
PUBLISHED WORK
Ms. Cohen's and Ms. Williams Kerper's scholarly articles include the following:
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Avoiding Equitable Tolling in Avoidance Proceedings Under Section 546(a) Leslie A. Cohen Esq., J’aime K. Williams, Esq. and Kristina Sherry, Esq., California Bankruptcy Journal, May 2021
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Recent Developments: Discharge & Dischargeability in the Ninth Circuit, California Bankruptcy Journal, Vol.34, No. 3, 2017
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Married Parties In Bankruptcy: Considerations Regarding Divorce, Separation, Resulting Trusts, California Bankruptcy Journal, Vol.34, No. 1, 2017
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Community Property Presumptions & Transmutations: Reconciling California's Valli Dissolution Decision With The Ninth Circuit’s Summers Conclusions In The Bankruptcy Context Re: Third Party and Inter-Spousal Transfers, Joint Tenancy and Transmutations, California Bankruptcy Journal, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2015
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Secured Loan Modification Absent Contractual Privity in Bankruptcy: A Survey of Case Law Twenty Years After Johnson v. Home State Bank, California Bankruptcy Journal, Vol. 31, No. 4, 2012
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Guarantor Preference Liability, California Bankruptcy Journal, Vol. 31, No. 3, 2011
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Net Disposable Income Test for Chapter 11, California Bankruptcy Journal, Vol. 30, No. 2, 2009
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Shopping Center Leases In Bankruptcy And The Impact Of BAPCPA, California Bankruptcy Journal, Vol. 30,
No. 1, 2009
Ms. Cohen and Ms. Williams Kerper's published opinions include the following:
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In re Adamson Apparel, 785 F. 3d 1285 (9th Cir. 2015)
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In re Golden Books, 269 B.R. 311 (D. Del. 2001)
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In re Si Yeon Park, Ltd., 198 B.R. 956 (Bankr. C.D. Cal. 1996)
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In re Oak Creek Energy Farms, Ltd., 956 F.2d 1167 (9th Cir. 1992)
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In re MCEG Prod., Inc., 133 B.R. 232 (Bankr. C.D. Cal 1991)
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In re Oak Creek Energy Farms, Ltd., 119 B.R. 739 (E.D. Cal. 1990)
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In re Oak Creek Energy Farms, Ltd., 99 B.R. 36 (Bankr. E.D. Cal. 1989)
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In re Oak Creek Energy Farms, Ltd., 107 B.R. 266 (Bankr. E.D. Cal. 1989)
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In re Moss, 91 B.R. 563 (Bankr. C.D. Cal 1988)
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In re Barsky, 85 B.R. 550 (C.D. Cal. 1988)
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In re Skyler Ridge, 80 B.R. 500 (Bankr. C.D. Cal. 1987)
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In re Safren, 65 B.R. 566 (Bankr. C.D. Cal. 1986)
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In re Aslan, 65 B.R. 826 (Bankr. C.D. Cal. 1986)
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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In 2023, Ms. Cohen and Ms. Williams Kerper successfully argued the defense appeal In re Murtagh v. Cohen et al. (In re Baker), No. 2:15-AP-01535-BB, D.C. No. 2:22-cv-05174-MCS 2022 WL 17852776 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 22, 2022)
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In 2022, Ms. Cohen and Ms. Williams Kerper successfully argued the defense appeal In re Talasazan v. Moussighi et al. (In re Talasazan), No. 1:16-AP-01119-MT, BAP No. CC-21-1271-GLS, 2022 WL 17410688 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. Dec. 2, 2022)
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In 2022, Ms. Cohen and Ms. Williams Kerper were featured in the article "Bankruptcy Review For Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers," published in Advocate Magazine. Read here: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/article/2022-october/bankruptcy-review-for-non-bankruptcy-lawyers
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