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Bankruptcy Lawyers in Santa Barbara, CA: 2026 rankings

14 bankruptcy lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Santa Barbara: Law Offices of Karen Ware PC, LFR Score 66/100; 5.0★ from 83 Google reviews; open Saturdays until 2 PM.

  2. 4

    Most-reviewed: Grennier Law, PC, 85 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 14 ranked; ranked #4.

Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

14 Santa Barbara bankruptcy lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 3 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 14 rated law firms.

Top 10 bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Barbara at a glance

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

Top 10 bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Barbara at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Law Offices of Karen Ware PC665.0★ (83)Oxnard, 32 mi awaySatTop score
2Law Offices of Karen L. Grant665.0★ (30)Santa Barbara——
3Daniel A. Higson655.0★ (82)Ventura, 29 mi away——
4Grennier Law, PC644.8★ (85)Ventura, 30 mi away—Most reviews
5Rounds & Sutter LLP624.9★ (48)Ventura, 30 mi away——
6Grennier Law, PC624.7★ (58)Oxnard, 33 mi away——
7Law Offices of Monica Robles623.9★ (11)Santa Barbara——
8Law Office of Susan J. Salehi615.0★ (6)Santa Barbara——
9Law Office of Susan J. Salehi594.2★ (10)Ventura, 28 mi awaySat · Evenings—
10William E. Winfield595.0★ (16)Ventura, 31 mi away——

All 14 bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Barbara, in rank order

Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

Scores below: based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.

  1. Ranked #1 in Santa Barbara

    #1 Law Offices of Karen Ware PC

    Based in Oxnard, 32 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 83 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 83 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat 10 AM–2 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    1000 Town Center Dr #300, Oxnard, CA 93036
    View profile for Law Offices of Karen Ware PC(805) 284-0760

  3. #3 Daniel A. Higson

    Based in Ventura, 29 mi away

    65/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 82 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 82 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    5450 Telegraph Rd #253, Ventura, CA 93003
    View profile for Daniel A. Higson(805) 258-0080

  4. #4 Grennier Law, PC

    Based in Ventura, 30 mi away

    64/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 85 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

    • 4.8★ from 85 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    5700 Ralston St Unit 202, Ventura, CA 93003
    View profile for Grennier Law, PC(805) 232-7265

  5. #5 Rounds & Sutter LLP

    Based in Ventura, 30 mi away

    62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 48 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 48 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    674 County Square Dr, Ventura, CA 93003
    View profile for Rounds & Sutter LLP(805) 650-7100

  6. #6 Grennier Law, PC

    Based in Oxnard, 33 mi away

    62/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 58 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

    • 4.7★ from 58 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    336 S A St, Oxnard, CA 93030
    View profile for Grennier Law, PC(805) 790-7112

  10. #10 William E. Winfield

    Based in Ventura, 31 mi away

    59/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    5811 Olivas Park Dr Ste 202, Ventura, CA 93003
    View profile for William E. Winfield(805) 604-4100

  14. #14 Morgan Law Firm

    Based in Ventura, 30 mi away

    53/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.8★ from 41 Google reviews.

    • 3.8★ from 41 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 8:30 AM–5 PM
    Address
    5700 Ralston St Unit 202, Ventura, CA 93003
    View profile for Morgan Law Firm(805) 644-8888

Also serving Santa Barbara

15 more bankruptcy lawyers within 40 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.

Unranked bankruptcy lawyers serving Santa Barbara
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Black & Black3.0★ (6)In Santa Barbara
Dana F Longo Attorney At Law5.0★ (4)In Santa Barbara
David J Follin Law Offices3.0★ (2)30 mi
Gary Colegrove Bankruptcy & Divorce Attorney for Santa Barbara3.0★ (2)In Santa Barbara
Hunt Law25 mi
Law Office of Christian YoungerIn Santa Barbara
Law Offices of Dennis J. SheaIn Santa Barbara
Law Offices of Gary Colegrove30 mi
Law Offices of Larry Webb40 mi
Renshaw & Associates5.0★ (1)30 mi
Richard A. Nyznyk3.0★ (2)30 mi
Rounds & Sutter LLPIn Santa Barbara
Sausser Summers PC4.9★ (22)In Santa Barbara
The Law Offices of Tristan Verburgt, PC4.9★ (18)In Santa Barbara
Thyne Taylor Fox Howard, LLP3.4★ (10)In Santa Barbara

How we ranked Santa Barbara bankruptcy lawyers

We scored 14 Santa Barbara bankruptcy lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

LFR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Santa Barbara data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Bar status10%An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded)Not yet collected
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability5%Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7Measured
Practice focus15%How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same)Measured
Law Firms Ranked reviews10%Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there areMeasured

How to choose a bankruptcy lawyer

  1. Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
  2. Ask how many bankruptcy law matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
  3. Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
  4. Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
  5. Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
  6. Ask whether the lawyer, not only staff, will review your forms and go with you to the meeting of creditors.
  7. Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.

Questions to ask a bankruptcy lawyer

  • How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
  • How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
  • Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
  • Which chapter fits my situation, and why?
  • Which of my property is exempt?
  • Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?

Terms explained

Contingency fee
A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
Retainer
Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
Flat fee
One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
Limited-scope representation
Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
Statute of limitations
The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
Good standing
A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
Law society
The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
Board certification
Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
Attorney–client privilege
The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
Conflict check
The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
Pro bono
Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Legal aid
Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.

Bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Barbara: frequently asked questions

Which bankruptcy lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Santa Barbara?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked bankruptcy lawyer in Santa Barbara, CA is Law Offices of Karen Ware PC with an LFR Score of 66/100. It has 5.0★ from 83 Google reviews. It is open Saturdays until 2 PM. Law Offices of Karen L. Grant (#2) and Daniel A. Higson (#3) follow. We ranked 14 bankruptcy lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many bankruptcy lawyers are there in Santa Barbara?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 14 bankruptcy lawyers serving Santa Barbara, CA. 3 of them are based in Santa Barbara; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 15 within 40 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Barbara work on weekends?

3 of 14 ranked bankruptcy lawyers post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Law Offices of Karen Ware PC (#1), Law Office of Susan J. Salehi (#9) and Morgan Law Firm (#14). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Santa Barbara bankruptcy lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 14 rated bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Barbara is 4.9★, with a median of 23 reviews. Grennier Law, PC has the most, 85 reviews, and ranks #4. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does LawFirmsRanked rank bankruptcy lawyers?

Each bankruptcy lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do bankruptcy lawyers outside Santa Barbara count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the Santa Barbara city center, our service radius for bankruptcy lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.

Can bankruptcy lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?

No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.

How do bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Barbara, CA charge?

Consumer bankruptcy lawyers usually charge a flat fee for Chapter 7; Chapter 13 fees are often paid partly through the repayment plan and are reviewed by the court. Under federal law they must give you written disclosures and a written contract (11 U.S.C. §§526–528). Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $481 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.

What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?

Chapter 7 sells non-exempt property to pay creditors and usually ends in a few months; Chapter 13 keeps your property under a three- to five-year repayment plan. Income and assets decide which you can use. This is general information, not legal advice.

How is this list of bankruptcy lawyers in Santa Barbara, CA ranked?

By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.

Does a lawyer need an office in Santa Barbara?

No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.

Update log for Santa Barbara

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 14 bankruptcy lawyers serving Santa Barbara.

More bankruptcy lawyers and Santa Barbara pages