Layfield & Barrett APC

Representation of the chapter 11 trustee of the bankruptcy estate of the now-defunct law firm Layfield & Barrett in the Central District of California. The debtor was a personal-injury law firm whose former principal was convicted of stealing millions of dollars of settlement money from multiple clients in addition to certain tax-related offenses. The firm implemented a court-approved protocol to help ensure that Layfield & Barrett’s former clients received continuing representation on pending legal matters. The debtor failed to file schedules or provide adequate information regarding its assets and liabilities, which required the trustee and the firm to investigate the debtor’s financial condition primarily through third parties.