About Attorney
Lisa J. Espada
As a child, I watched Perry Mason reruns on television, which left me with the impression that lawyers help people get out of trouble. As a teenager, I first saw the film To Kill a Mockingbird. The central character in the story, Atticus Finch, is a symbol of honor and integrity in the practice of law. He represented clients because they needed him, because he could help them (sometimes), and because it was the right thing to do. That idea became a motivating force in my desire to become an attorney.
Prior to starting my own practice, I worked for personal injury law firms, representing clients who had been exposed to asbestos and suffered from the devastating health effects of that exposure. During those years it became clear to me that my calling is to help others, especially working people and those who have suffered misfortune.
In the aftermath of the Great Recession of 2008-2009, I decided to start a bankruptcy practice to help people get out of debt and regain their dignity. After starting my practice and becoming a volunteer attorney with the Justice and Diversity Center, I realized that my litigation skills could be put to good use by representing consumers being sued by debt buyers and other creditors. For more details about debt collection defense, click here.
In 2016, I began representing clients in a variety of student loan collection cases. For more details about my experience with student loan litigation, click here.
I am committed to providing affordable representation to consumers and small business owners, and to protecting the rights of all consumers.
BAR ADMISSION and PRACTICE LOCATIONS
I have been licensed to practice law in California since 1999. To view license information and current standing with the State Bar of California, click here.
I handle debt collection defense in the following California state courts: San Francisco, Alameda County, Contra Costa County and Marin County.
I handle bankruptcy and federal civil cases in the following federal courts: Northern District of California; Eastern District of California (clients in Solano County).
AWARDS
Justice and Diversity Center: Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service 2012 to 2018 (7 awards)
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Statute of Limitations Issues in Debt Collection Cases, California Debt Defense Roundtable, hosted by The Harris Law Firm and Public Counsel on January 14, 2015 (MCLE Accredited)
Pre-Trial Litigation in Consumer Debt Cases, Part II of the Consumer Project Volunteer Training Program, presented by the San Francisco Bar Association’s Justice and Diversity Center on March 13, 2017 (MCLE Accredited)
To see what former clients have to say about me, click here.
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