Best bankruptcy attorneys (Chapter 7 & 13) in West Hartford
These are the West Hartford attorneys and firms where bankruptcy filing (Chapter 7 or Chapter 13) is a core part of the practice, ranked by our earned composite score, which weighs rating, review volume, recency, and sentiment together (see our methodology).
If your issue is a looming foreclosure rather than a bankruptcy filing itself, see our separate list of the best foreclosure attorneys overall. Several firms below handle both, but this ranking reflects their standing specifically on bankruptcy work.
Picks are ranked by score and relevance to bankruptcy (chapter 7 & 13), so a lower overall score can rank higher here.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steier & McCormick, LLC | 76 | 4.6 (21) | — | Most consistent track record |
| 2 | Cohen, Burns, Hard & Paul | 73 | 4.5 (32) | — | Established firm, broad practice |
| 3 | Peter Lawrence - Lawrence & Jurkiewicz, LLC | 70 | 5 (4) | — | Personal, step-by-step guidance |
| 4 | Cashman Stephen F | 51 | 2 (4) | — | Only after checking references |
| 5 | Law Offices of Paul S. Taub | 49 | 4 (4) | — | Not enough evidence yet |
Ranked picks
Steier & McCormick, LLC
Why it ranks first
Steier & McCormick posts the strongest composite score on this list, built on 21 reviews that skew heavily positive, including specific mentions of compassionate bankruptcy guidance. Clients repeatedly single out paralegals Aneta and Beth for staying responsive throughout a case, which matters most in bankruptcy filings where paperwork and deadlines pile up.
Pros
- Compassionate, hands-on bankruptcy guidance
- Paralegals (Aneta, Beth) known for staying responsive
- Handles complex, drawn-out cases without dropping the ball
- Long history of repeat and referred clients
Watch out: A couple of older reviews cite slow intake communication and one flagged a costly equity assessment error, so confirm timelines up front.
Services: loan modification foreclosure defense, bankruptcy chapter 7 13, short sale deed in lieu, evictions tenant landlord
Cohen, Burns, Hard & Paul
Why it ranks second
Cohen, Burns, Hard & Paul draws consistently strong marks (4.5 from 32 reviews) for responsiveness and follow-through, with attorneys who stay reachable for direct consultation. Most of the detailed feedback centers on real estate and contract work rather than bankruptcy specifically, so treat the composite score as a signal of the firm's overall reliability rather than bankruptcy-specific proof.
Pros
- Attorneys accessible for direct consultation
- Reputation for following through on commitments
- Two-decade client relationships are common here
- Largest review base on this list
Watch out: Review detail on bankruptcy filings specifically is thin; most praise references closings and contract matters.
Services: loan modification foreclosure defense, evictions tenant landlord, consumer debt collection defense, real estate litigation
Peter Lawrence - Lawrence & Jurkiewicz, LLC
Why it ranks third
Peter Lawrence earns a perfect rating across his reviews, with clients describing him as someone who breaks down complicated legal situations into manageable steps and stays available when questions come up. The sample is small, just four reviews, so this is a promising, lower-confidence pick rather than a high-volume track record.
Pros
- Clear, step-by-step explanations of the process
- Described as compassionate with clients under stress
Watch out: Only four reviews on record, so there's less volume to confirm consistency at scale.
Services: loan modification foreclosure defense, bankruptcy chapter 7 13, short sale deed in lieu, evictions tenant landlord
Cashman Stephen F
Why it ranks fourth
Cashman's record is genuinely mixed: one client credits him with real legal knowledge and a willingness to advocate, while others describe slow document turnaround, ignored requests for case updates, and one account of a bankruptcy filed that a second attorney later said was unnecessary. With only four reviews split between praise and serious complaints, this pick belongs on the list for completeness but carries real risk.
Pros
- One client praised solid legal knowledge
- Described as a willing advocate for client rights
Watch out: Multiple complaints describe poor communication, refusal to pursue the client's preferred strategy, and one allegation of payment taken without finished work; verify carefully before committing.
Services: loan modification foreclosure defense, bankruptcy chapter 7 13, real estate litigation
Law Offices of Paul S. Taub
Why it ranks fifth
The Law Offices of Paul S. Taub has too little review data to draw firm conclusions, just four reviews split between one five-star mention of professional service and an unexplained one-star rating from a couple years back. It's included here because bankruptcy is a stated focus of the practice, but treat the composite score as a placeholder until more feedback accumulates.
Pros
- One reviewer specifically praised professional service
Watch out: Very low review volume and no recent reviews on record, so there's little to verify against.
Services: loan modification foreclosure defense, bankruptcy chapter 7 13, evictions tenant landlord, consumer debt collection defense
How this ranking was calculated
| Signal | Weight |
|---|---|
| Review sentiment | 28% |
| Google rating | 26% |
| Review volume | 20% |
| Profile completeness | 14% |
| Review recency | 12% |
Ranking data checked 2026-09-05 · Full methodology ›