Chicago-based bankruptcy law firm specializing in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, founded by Brian Zeft in 2015 to provide personalized debt relief and creditor harassment solutions.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
Westside Law Firm, LLC was founded in 2015 by Brian Zeft, a bankruptcy attorney with extensive experience in consumer insolvency law. Prior to opening his own practice, Zeft served as managing attorney at one of Chicago's largest bankruptcy firms, overseeing all Illinois office locations and handling thousands of bankruptcy cases. He holds a J.D. from John Marshall Law School (cum laude) and a B.S. in Business Administration from Rider University, and previously worked for a Wall Street investment bank.
The firm specializes exclusively in consumer bankruptcy law, focusing on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings. Beyond traditional bankruptcy services, Westside Law Firm offers solutions for related financial crises including foreclosure prevention, car repossession defense, wage garnishment relief, and resolution of outstanding parking tickets. They market their approach as providing urgent intervention for clients facing multiple simultaneous financial threats.
What distinguishes this firm is Zeft's appellate litigation track record. He has argued twice before the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and in one landmark case (Thompson vs. General Motor Acceptance Corp., 566 F.3d 699), successfully overturned a decade of case law in the Northern District of Illinois regarding auto lender obligations to return repossessed vehicles after bankruptcy filing. The firm emphasizes personalized client attention and operates from a convenient Near West Side Chicago location with free street parking and direct CTA access.
The firm appears legitimate and competent but serves a limited geographic market (Chicago area) and is a solo/small practice without disclosed team information. While Zeft's credentials are substantial, his appellate experience may not directly translate to better outcomes for routine Chapter 7/13 cases, which typically follow established procedural paths. Clients should confirm handling of their specific case type before engagement.
Yes. Westside Law Firm is a registered company, headquartered in Chicago, IL.
Results vary by individual situation. Contact the provider to discuss expected timelines for your specific needs.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Westside Law Firm is best for Chicago-area consumers facing overlapping financial crises (bankruptcy + repossession/foreclosure/garnishment) who value hands-on attorney interaction over high-volume processing. The main caveat is that this is a geographically limited, small practice with no disclosed team depth, and appellate credentials do not necessarily improve outcomes for routine bankruptcy cases that follow standard procedures.
Sadek Bankruptcy Law Offices provides bankruptcy filing, foreclosure defense, and debt relief representation across Pennsylvania and New Jersey with multiple convenient locations.
Best for: New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents facing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing, Homeowners in active foreclosure proceedings needing legal defense representation
Fort Worth bankruptcy law firm specializing in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, led by attorney Lindsay D. Steele with a focus on personalized, hands-on client representation.
Best for: Individuals facing immediate foreclosure or wage garnishment who need rapid legal intervention and personalized guidance, Consumers with significant unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills) who want direct access to their bankruptcy attorney throughout the process
Los Angeles-based bankruptcy law firm specializing in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and debt settlement for individuals overwhelmed by credit card, mortgage, tax, and student loan debt.
Best for: Individuals with $20,000+ in unsecured debt (credit cards, personal loans, medical bills) considering Chapter 7 liquidation, Homeowners facing foreclosure or struggling with mortgage payments who need legal protection
Your credit report contains the raw data behind your score. Learn what's in it, how to read it, and how to dispute errors that could be dragging your score down.
Read guide →Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — they make spending easy. But what happens to your credit score when you use them? Here's what the fine print doesn't tell you.
Read guide →Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example
You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against predatory lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.
Example
A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.
A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and must stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you can sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Example
A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.
A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and wins a judgment.
Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.
Example
You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.
A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.
Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.
Example
You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.
A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.
Chapter 13 is better than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.
Example
You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.
A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.
Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income must be below your state's median to qualify.
Example
You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.
When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.
A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.
Example
You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).
When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.
Example
An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.
Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.
Consolidation works best when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.
Example
You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.
Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.
Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.
Example
You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.
Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.
Example
A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and wins a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Westside Law Firm and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.