About Barbara Franklin

2003 to Present: Sole Practitioner, Honokaa, Hawaii
General practice with an emphasis on bankruptcy law, consumer issues, and real estate law. I represent individuals and business owners under chapter 7, and chapter 11, chapter 12, chapter 13, and one bankruptcy trustee. I have represented individuals in preference actions brought by chapter 7 trustees in other jurisdictions. Based on my experience working on highly complicated bankruptcy cases, I have successfully confirmed client's chapter 12s for which they received a discharge. I also represent clients in real estate matters including the purchase and sale of residential real estate, landlord and tenant matters, and boundary disputes. I assist owners resolving title and ownership issues, and recording deeds.

From 2003 to present: Besides debtor/creditor law in Hawaii (see below), I practice real estate law in Hawaii. All aspects of property ownership from deed transfers to estate planning and creditor issues. I handle short term vacation rental compliance for County of Hawaii property owners.

From 1989: Assistant United States Trustee, Department of Justice, United States Trustee's Program, District of Alaska. Civil enforcement of Title 11, including oversight, discipline and removal of both chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy trustees; establish procedures for post-confirmation oversight of chapter 11 cases; and developed pilot identification and chapter 7 audit programs. I served on the executive committee for Alaska Bar Bankruptcy Section and rules subcommittee; chaired a Financial Literacy and Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group, and was an expert witness for the Office of the U.S. Attorney in criminal trials. I taught numerous continuing education programs for both attorneys and other paraprofessionals. Retired from Dept. of Justice 2002. In Hawaii, I have successfully handled chapter 12 cases and various aspects of debtor/creditor law using the breadth of knowledge gained.