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Best of the Bar: Tax/Finance/Bankruptcy

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Steven N. Berger

Firm: Engelman Berger PC

E-mail: snb@engelmanberger.com

Practice area: Bankruptcy, creditor/debtor rights

Years in practice: 18

Law school: University of Arizona

Why a lawyer: "I've been helping people from as far back as I can remember. I have always viewed the legal profession as the means to continue to help solve people's problems, and to help them avoid future problems. I vowed to be the kind of lawyer that does not create unnecessary roadblocks to a client's objectives."

Toughest case: "In 1987, the state of Arizona Department of Health Services seized the mental health care system for Maricopa County, and the assets and operations of the Regional Behavioral Health Authority that had the responsibility for the system. The RBHA then filed a Chapter 11 reorganization. I represented the state of Arizona DHS in the Chapter 11 case.

"The case was tough in that the litigation positions and political concerns had to be tempered with the overriding goal of making sure the mental health care system continued to provide necessary and important services. The interests of numerous constituencies had to be taken into account, including those of the seriously mentally ill, the provider agencies, the state, the RBHA, and all of their employees. An equitable settlement was reached with the capable assistance of Bankruptcy Judge Charles G. Case."

Most meaningful case to you personally: "A case in which a truly honest businessman had truly dishonest business partners. When I got involved, the case was headed for expensive and nasty litigation.

"Through negotiation, we achieved a settlement in which my client gained control of the corporation and paid a fair settlement to the offending shareholders for their stock. Years later, the client gave me a tour of his successful business, his new facilities, and he expressed gratitude that I had helped him achieve his business goals."

Favorite TV law program of all time: "Several episodes of 'Picket Fences,' including courtroom scenes which were not realistic, but were entertaining, thought-provoking and finished with the wise decision of the judge (who had originally been 'My Favorite Martian.') How do you top that?"

© 2003 American City Business Journals Inc.

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