Top-Ranked Bankruptcy Lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked bankruptcy lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida are Steven Robert Braten (LexRank 80.00), Tania Ochoa (80.00) and Carl Victor Romano (80.00).

This ranking lists 25 bankruptcy lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 4 to 53 years in practice. 6 of the 25 list Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

Lawyers ranked: 25
Fully verified: 25 of 25

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

No change
SB
Steven Robert Braten
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 32 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #1?
Ranks #1 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
No change
TO
Tania Ochoa
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 27 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #2?
Ranks #2 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
No change
CR
Carl Victor Romano
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 32 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #3?
Ranks #3 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
No change
BM
Brian K McMahon
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 36 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #4?
Ranks #4 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
No change
SS
Steven L Schwarzberg “Steve”
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 45 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #5?
Ranks #5 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
No change
SY
Stuart Alan Young
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 49 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #6?
Ranks #6 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
No change
RJ
Rudolph R. Gurrola Jr.
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 24 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #7?
Ranks #7 with 78.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10). 1.20 points behind #6, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
1.20 points behind #6 (Stuart Alan Young): Experience −1.2.
No change
JL
Jeffrey B Lampert
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 47 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #8?
Ranks #8 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15). 0.20 points behind #7, mostly data quality.
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
0.20 points behind #7 (Rudolph R. Gurrola Jr.): Data quality −1.4.
Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.
No change
RN
Ronald George Neiwirth
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 53 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #9?
Ranks #9 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.
No change
NW
Noreen Wiscovitch-Rentas
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 27 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #10?
Ranks #10 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.
No change
MM
Monique Eileen L’Italien “Monique”
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 25 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #11?
Ranks #11 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).
Strongest
- Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.
No change
SD
Stacey Laura DeGiulio
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 23 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #12?
Ranks #12 with 77.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Data quality (10/10). 1.00 points behind #11, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
1.00 points behind #11 (Monique Eileen L’Italien “Monique”): Experience −2.4.
No change
RC
Rilyn Anne Carnahan
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 23 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #13?
Ranks #13 with 77.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Data quality (10/10).
Strongest
- Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
No change
SD
Suzanne Victoria Delaney
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 21 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #14?
Ranks #14 with 75.20: strongest in Experience (25.2/30) and Data quality (10/10). 2.40 points behind #13, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
2.40 points behind #13 (Rilyn Anne Carnahan): Experience −2.4.
No change
FD
Frank Peter Delia
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 20 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #15?
Ranks #15 with 74.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Experience (24/30). 1.20 points behind #14, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
- Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
1.20 points behind #14 (Suzanne Victoria Delaney): Experience −1.2.
No change
DK
Dana Lynn Kaplan
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 19 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #16?
Ranks #16 with 72.80: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15). 1.20 points behind #15, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
1.20 points behind #15 (Frank Peter Delia): Experience −1.2.
No change
MM
Melanie Loretta Campbell “Melanie”
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 18 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #17?
Ranks #17 with 71.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (21.6/30). 1.20 points behind #16, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Held back by
- Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
1.20 points behind #16 (Dana Lynn Kaplan): Experience −1.2.
No change
EL
Elizabeth Smitherman Rivera “Lisa”
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 18 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #18?
Ranks #18 with 71.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (21.6/30).
Strongest
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Held back by
- Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
No change
AB
Alexandra Danielle Blye
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 17 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #19?
Ranks #19 with 70.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (20.4/30). 1.20 points behind #18, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Held back by
- Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
1.20 points behind #18 (Elizabeth Smitherman Rivera “Lisa”): Experience −1.2.
No change
RZ
Renée Zarro
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 13 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #20?
Ranks #20 with 64.20: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (15.6/30). 6.20 points behind #19, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Held back by
- Experience 15.6/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
6.20 points behind #19 (Alexandra Danielle Blye): Experience −4.8, Data quality −1.4.
Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.
No change
SG
Shawn Carl Gearhart
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 12 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #21?
Ranks #21 with 60.65: strongest in Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (14.4/30). 3.55 points behind #20, mostly professional credentials.
Strongest
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
Held back by
- Experience 14.4/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
3.55 points behind #20 (Renée Zarro): Professional credentials −3.8, Experience −1.2.
No change
MM
MaryElizabeth Patricia Dowell “Mary”
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 6 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #22?
Ranks #22 with 57.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (7.2/30). 3.45 points behind #21, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Held back by
- Experience 7.2/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
3.45 points behind #21 (Shawn Carl Gearhart): Experience −7.2.
No change
AL
Annabel Leiva
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 7 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #23?
Ranks #23 with 57.00: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (8.4/30). 0.20 points behind #22, mostly data quality.
Strongest
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Held back by
- Experience 8.4/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
0.20 points behind #22 (MaryElizabeth Patricia Dowell “Mary”): Data quality −1.4.
Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.
No change
JC
Jessica De Las Cuevas
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 6 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #24?
Ranks #24 with 55.80: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (7.2/30). 1.20 points behind #23, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Held back by
- Experience 7.2/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
1.20 points behind #23 (Annabel Leiva): Experience −1.2.
Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.
No change
AG
Alexa Claire Gebert
Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL
Verified
- 4 years experience
- Bankruptcy
- Bar status verified
View profile
Why #25?
Ranks #25 with 54.80: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (4.8/30). 1.00 points behind #24, mostly experience.
Strongest
- Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
- Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
Held back by
- Experience 4.8/30 (ranking avg 23.1)
1.00 points behind #24 (Jessica De Las Cuevas): Experience −2.4.

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 25 profile pages254 facts for 25 lawyers

Bankruptcy market in West Palm Beach

LexRanked tracks 25 lawyers and 1 law firm in bankruptcy law in West Palm Beach, Florida. 25 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers: 25
Law firms: 1
Verified professional data: 25 of 25
Average rating: Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count: Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience: 23 years25 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on November 1, 2026; data verified October 30, 2026. Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in West Palm Beach

What sets these West Palm Beach lawyers apart

Every lawyer in this ranking has a The Florida Bar license verified as eligible to practice, and every fact shown links to its source. The figures below come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers	Figure
Years in practice	4 to 53 (median 23)
Languages besides English	Spanish (6)
License status with The Florida Bar	Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school	University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (6 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a West Palm Beach office address and bankruptcy as a practice area on record. It compares 25 bankruptcy lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. The Florida Bar does not board-certify lawyers in bankruptcy, so the practice area is the one each lawyer lists on their Florida Bar profile, which The Florida Bar does not review. How we rank.

Florida rules to know

Bankruptcy is federal law, but Florida decides what property a debtor keeps: filing stops most collection at once, and Florida protects a homestead and a vehicle worth up to $5,000.

Rule	What it means
Automatic stay	Filing a bankruptcy petition stops most collection actions and lawsuits against the debtor (11 U.S.C. § 362(a))
Credit counseling	An individual must take a budget and credit counseling briefing from an approved agency within the 180 days before filing (11 U.S.C. § 109(h))
Repeat Chapter 7	No Chapter 7 discharge if the debtor received one in a case filed within the previous 8 years (11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(8))
Chapter 13 plan	A repayment plan runs for at most 5 years (11 U.S.C. § 1322(d))
Meeting of creditors	The U.S. trustee holds a meeting of creditors in every case (11 U.S.C. § 341)
Florida homestead	A home is protected up to one-half acre inside a city or 160 acres outside one (Fla. Const. art. X, § 4)
Florida vehicle and property	A vehicle up to $5,000, and other personal property up to $4,000 if no homestead exemption is claimed (Fla. Stat. § 222.25)

Court	Where cases are heard
State court circuit	Palm Beach County is in Florida's Fifteenth Judicial Circuit

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing before you sign.

Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
Ask whether the lawyer you meet will handle your matter personally, and how many matters like yours they have handled recently.
Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.
If you prefer to work in another language, check the languages listed on each profile.

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

Does filing bankruptcy stop collection calls and lawsuits?

Yes, in most cases. Under 11 U.S.C. § 362(a), filing the petition stops most collection actions and lawsuits against the debtor at once, with the exceptions the statute lists.

Do I need credit counseling before filing bankruptcy?

Yes. An individual must receive a budget and credit counseling briefing from an approved nonprofit agency within the 180 days before filing, under 11 U.S.C. § 109(h), unless an exception applies.

Can I keep my house if I file bankruptcy in Florida?

Florida protects a homestead from forced sale up to one-half acre inside a city or 160 acres outside one (Fla. Const. art. X, § 4). In bankruptcy, federal law caps the protection for home equity acquired in the 1,215 days before filing (11 U.S.C. § 522(p)), so ask a lawyer about your dates.

How often can I file Chapter 7?

A Chapter 7 discharge is denied if you received one in a case filed within the previous 8 years (11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(8)).

How long does a Chapter 13 plan last?

At most 5 years. A debtor whose income is below the Florida median usually has a 3-year plan, which the court may extend to 5 years for cause (11 U.S.C. § 1322(d)).

Which court handles cases in West Palm Beach?

State court cases in Palm Beach County are heard in Florida's Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Bankruptcy cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the federal district that includes the county instead.

Are there Spanish-speaking bankruptcy lawyers in West Palm Beach?

Yes. 6 of the 25 ranked lawyers list Spanish on their Florida Bar profile. Each LexRanked profile shows the languages on record.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Steven Robert Braten, Tania Ochoa, Carl Victor Romano, Brian K McMahon and Steven L Schwarzberg “Steve” and others.

Which lawyers speak Spanish?

6 of the 25 lawyers in this ranking have it on record, 6 confirmed by a verified fact or an official record. They are ranked separately by the same LexRank score. Top-Ranked Spanish-Speaking Bankruptcy Lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida

About this ranking

Last updated: November 1, 2026
Methodology: LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review: LexRanked editorial team, October 19, 2026
Independence: Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

Explore

Summary

The ranking

Data sources behind the scores

Bankruptcy market in West Palm Beach

What sets these West Palm Beach lawyers apart

Who is included in this ranking?

Florida rules to know

How to choose among these lawyers

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

About this ranking

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