Our Philosophy

The attorneys and staff of the New Life Bankruptcy Center are committed to treating our clients with respect and dignity. We understand that the decision to file bankruptcy is not an easy one and we are here to advise you and guide you through the bankruptcy process. Because the New Life Bankruptcy Center is not a bankruptcy mill, we treat our clients as individuals, not as numbers. We recognize that although each of our clients has had financial difficulties, the facts and circumstances that created the financial hardships are very different for each client. We know that each person who reviews our website, contacts our office or schedules an appointment with one of our attorneys has a different story to tell. Our goal is to listen to your story and help you come up with a strategy to eliminate your financial burdens and begin planning for your future. We know that filing bankruptcy is a significant event in your life and we will respond to your emails and telephone calls promptly. We will work with you to make the bankruptcy process as painless as possible and help you begin your new life debt free.

Our Attorneys

James P. Kelly and Maura K. McKeever represent individual and business debtors in Chapter 7, Chapter 13 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Jim and Maura have experience with all aspects of the bankruptcy process, from reviewing a potential client’s financial situation and advising them of their options, to preparing the bankruptcy petition and schedules and Chapter 13 Plan, to appearing at the Meeting of Creditors and confirmation hearings, to responding to and arguing Motions for Relief from Stay or Creditors’ Objections.

James P. Kelly

Jim represents individual and business debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings and has filed numerous Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy petitions in the bankruptcy courts in Illinois. Jim works with his clients to help them understand how they got into financial trouble and how they can use the fresh start provided by bankruptcy to avoid future financial difficulties.

Jim graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Jim then served as a United States Army Officer for 12 years. After he was discharged from the Army, Jim worked as Director of Public Safety for National Louis University in suburban Chicago. Jim received his Juris Doctorate degree from Illinois Institute of Technology-Chicago Kent School of Law. He was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1995, in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 1995, and in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in 2005.

Jim is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the McHenry County Bar Association. He has been a member of the Illinois State Bar Association General Assembly and is currently a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Commercial Law Council. Jim is also active in the Crystal Lake Lions Club, a volunteer service organization which offers service to the local and international communities.

You can reach Attorney Jim Kelly by phone at (855) 4A-NEWLIFE or by email at JPKelly@newlifebankruptcycenter.com.

Maura K. McKeever

Maura represents individual and business debtors in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings. Maura has filed numerous Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings in the bankruptcy courts in both Illinois and Michigan. In her role as Debtor’s advocate, Maura has helped many people exercise their right to obtain a fresh start and begin a new life debt free. Maura enjoys working with debtors and takes great satisfaction in helping individuals and families eliminate their financial burdens and stress and begin a new life debt free.

Maura received a Bachelor of Arts Magna Cum Laude from the University Notre Dame in 1987 and a Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from Boston College Law School in 1990. Maura was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990, in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois in 1990, in Michigan in 2005 and in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in 2009.

Maura is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Incorporated Society of Irish-American Lawyers, the Catholic Lawyers Society of Detroit, the Lakeshore Bar Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute. Outside of work, Maura is busy raising three teenagers. She is involved at her church and at her children’s schools. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Notre Dame Club of Detroit where she serves as the Club’s Student-Parent Liaison.

You can reach Attorney Maura McKeever by phone at (855) 4A-NEWLIFE or by email at MMckeever@newlifebankruptcycenter.com.

Disclaimer

The New Life Bankruptcy Center is a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code. The information contained on this website is intended to provide general bankruptcy information and does not constitute legal advice or form an attorney-client relationship.

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