Practice Overview

Helen S. Rakove specializes in insolvency issues, bankruptcy, workouts, and complex commercial litigation.  She also has specific expertise in the handling of claims of professional malpractice that arise in the bankruptcy context.  Her clients include secured and unsecured creditors and businesses.

Representative Matters

• Representation of creditors in Chapters 7, 11 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, including the handling of real property lease issues, assumption and assignment of leaseholds, defense of preference and fraudulent transfer actions, and exceptions to discharge


• Representation of debtors in Chapters 7 and 11 of the Bankruptcy Code


• Numerous complex commercial disputes, including significant contract litigation and enforcement of judgments


• Extensive experience in the defense of attorneys sued for professional malpractice

Professional Activities

Ms. Rakove received her B.A. degree from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York and her Masters of Art in Teaching from Northwestern University.  She obtained her J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1975.  While in law school she was a member of the Boston College Law Review, and published two articles.  From 1975 to 1989 Ms. Rakove practiced law in upstate New York.  She is currently a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association.

Admissions

Ms. Rakove is admitted to practice in all courts in California and the State of New York (New York license currently inactive). She also is admitted in the Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern Districts of California for the United States District Court.