Atty. Stephen D. Finestone
Selected a Northern California Super Lawyer in bankruptcy law every year since 2008. Formermember and co-chair of the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee for the No.
Bankruptcy & More Attorney · Serving San Francisco, CA · 40+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Stephen D. Finestone at a Glance
Stephen D. Finestone is a Principal based in San Francisco, California, practicing at Finestone Hayes Llp. They have 40+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1986. Their practice focuses on chapter 7, business, bankruptcy, chapter 11, and debt settlement. Admitted to practice in California U.S. District Court, Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California (1986) and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (1986). Educated at Hastings College of the Law, University of California (J.D., 1986) and University of California at Santa Barbara (B.A., 1981). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Bar Association of San Francisco (Member, Insolvency Panel) State Bar of California American Bankruptcy Institute Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum. Serves clients in San Francisco, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Stephen D. Finestone in San Francisco
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Stephen D. Finestone
- Selected a Northern California Super Lawyer in bankruptcy law every year since 2008
- Formermember and co-chair of the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee for the No. Dist. of California and theInsolvency Law Committee of the Business law section of the State Bar of California
- A frequentspeaker on bankruptcy issues
- Has handled numerous reorganizations for a wide range ofbusinesses and individuals, including real estate developers, technology businesses, wholesaleand manufacturing businesses, restaurants and health care providers
- He has represented partiesselling and acquiring assets out of bankruptcy estates, including operating businesses, hotels andother real estate assets
- Represents creditors, both secured and unsecured, in bankruptcy matters.Represents Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 trustees
- Years of experience filing Chapter 7 cases forentities and individuals
- Handles a wide variety of litigation in bankruptcy court, includingprosecuting and defending dischargeability complaints, objections to discharge, and avoidanceactions
- Handles commercial litigation in state and federal courts and has served as an expertwitness on bankruptcy matters
- Has handled many appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court ofAppeals, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit and the District Court
Practice Areas Explained
Stephen D. Finestone's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stephen D. Finestone handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in San Francisco.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in San Francisco
Stephen D. Finestone is one of 8,822 chapter 7 attorneys indexed nationally. Browse chapter 7 attorneys in California →
Business & Corporate Law in San Francisco
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Stephen D. Finestone is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Bankruptcy & Debt in San Francisco
A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
Stephen D. Finestone is one of 104,458 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in California →
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in San Francisco
Stephen D. Finestone is one of 5,795 chapter 11 attorneys indexed nationally. Browse chapter 11 attorneys in California →
Debt Settlement in San Francisco
Stephen D. Finestone is one of 2,525 debt settlement attorneys indexed nationally. Browse debt settlement attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in San Francisco
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in San Francisco are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
San Francisco Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a San Francisco-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Francisco or all attorneys in California.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Stephen D. Finestone
Where is Stephen D. Finestone's law office located?
What practice areas does Stephen D. Finestone handle?
How long has Stephen D. Finestone practiced law?
Where did Stephen D. Finestone go to law school?
How can I contact Stephen D. Finestone for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Stephen D. Finestone received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in San Francisco Choose Stephen D. Finestone
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Stephen D. Finestone's practice in the field of chapter 7, business, bankruptcy, chapter 11, and debt settlement.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Stephen D. Finestone brings 40+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in California U.S. District Court, Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Stephen D. Finestone can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering chapter 7, business, and bankruptcy, Stephen D. Finestone can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in San Francisco
A San Francisco-based practice means Stephen D. Finestone attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Stephen D. Finestone Handles in San Francisco
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Stephen D. Finestone has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Stephen D. Finestone directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Stephen D. Finestone Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in San Francisco commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Stephen D. Finestone.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Stephen D. Finestone directly.
Stephen D. Finestone's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Stephen D. Finestone
No reviews yet.