Reno Fernandez represents businesses and individuals in complex bankruptcy law appeals.
He is certified as a specialist in bankruptcy law by the California Board of Legal Specialization, and protects the interests of creditors, debtors, trustees, and other parties in bankruptcy-related appellate matters. Reno has appeared in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and other courts sitting in an appellate capacity under the Bankruptcy Code. He also consults on general bankruptcy litigation in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.
He has represented and advised many types of business and individuals with bankruptcy issues.
Reno’s experience includes representing technology companies, equipment manufacturers, equipment lessors, banks, hedge funds, medical clinics, residential care facilities, shopping centers, apartment and office buildings, hotels, food and beverage, retail chains, farms, wineries, churches, and nonprofits. Reno has also overseen creditor recovery, receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors.
Reno also participates on a number of prominent bankruptcy law-related committees.
He was chair of the Insolvency Law Committee of the State Bar of California, a member of the organizing committee of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ Next Generation Program, a member of the board of directors of the Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum, and chair of the Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco.
He has received a number of honors for his work.
Reno is rated a “Northern California Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers Magazine, and as a “Top Attorney” by San Francisco Magazine. He was twice awarded an Outstanding Volunteer Award by the Bar Association of San Francisco.
- Bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Credit Cards Accepted
- California
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- 9th Circuit
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- U.S. Supreme Court
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Attorney
- Binder Malter Harris & Rome-Banks LLP
- - Current
- Attorney
- Macdonald Fernandez LLP
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- Golden Gate University School of Law
- J.D. (2007) | Law
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- Honors: Witkin Award in Community Property CALI Award for Excellence in Community Property CALI Award for Excellence in Special Problems in Contracts and Torts CALI Award for Excellence in Intermediate Legal Writing Dean’s List
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- University of California - Berkeley
- B.A. (2004) | Philosophy
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- Activities: Student Advocates Office, Caseworker Member Advocate, Berkeley Student Co-ops
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- Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers Magazine
- 2022-2023
- Rising Star
- Super Lawyers Magazine
- 2012-2021
- Rising Star
- Super Lawyers Magazine
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star, 2015
- 2014 California Excellence Award
- United States Institute for Advancement of Trade and Commerce
- Macdonald Fernandez LLP Receives USIATC's California Excellence Award for 2014
- Rising Star
- Super Lawyers Magazine
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star, 2014
- California Lawyers Association
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Business Law Section; Executive Committee, Member 2017-2018; Co-Chair, Insolvency Law Committee 2016-2017.
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- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Bar Rules Advisory Group
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Leader, Chapter 11 Plan “Subgroup One” – 2014 Member, Payroll Form Revision Team – 2014
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- National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, Next Generation Program
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Member, Organizing Committee, 2014 – Present Selectee, 2013
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- California State Bar # 251934
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Member, Insolvency Law Committee of the Business Law Section, 2013 - Present Member, Business Law Section, 2007 - Present Member, 2007 - Present
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- Bar Association of San Francisco
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Immediate Past Chair, Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section – 2015 – Present Executive Committee, Business Law Section – 2015 – Present Chair, Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section – 2012 – 2014 Member, Board of Directors – 2012 –2013 Vice Chair, Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section – 2011 –2012
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- Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Member, Board of Directors, 2011 – Present Member, Publicity Committee, 2014 – Present
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- BASF Barrister’s Club, Secretary, Board of Directors
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Member, Board of Directors, 2011 – 2013 Liaison to State Bar Conference of Delegates Committee, 2012 – 2013 Liaison to Criminal Law & Government Section, 2011 – 2013 Liaison to Construction Law Section, 2011 – 2012 Chair, Business, Commercial & Bankruptcy Section, 2010 – 2011
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- BASF Consumer Debt Clinic
- Volunteer
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- Activities: Outstanding Volunteer Award – 2010 Outstanding Volunteer Award – 2009
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- Enforcing Arbitration Agreements in Bankruptcy
- California Lawyers Association Business Law News, Issue 1
- When a Nonprofit Corporation is Insolvent…
- State Bar of California Business Law News, Issue 2
- Getting to the Core of Arbitration in Bankruptcy
- San Francisco Attorney Magazine
- The Business Judgment Rule in the Central District of California
- Legal by the Bay
- If You Are A Spendthrift (Trust), Go To Hawaii
- Legal By the Bay
- When a Nonprofit Corporation Is Insolvent: Considerations, Options and Procedures, Meeting of the Nonprofit Organizations Committee
- State Bar of California's Business Law Section
- Should I Stay, or Should I Go? Commercial Leases and Bankruptcy, 2016 Annual Summit
- Real Property Section of the State Bar of California
- Creditors' Rights and Remedies
- Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)
- Complex Case Analysis, California Bankruptcy Forum Annual Conference
- License to Steal? Assumption and Rejection of Intellectual Property License Agreements in Bankruptcy
- Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of California
- Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law
- California State Bar Board of Certification
Bankruptcy Resources for Financial Educators (3 of 3)
- Q. I have a small startup that some friends/family want to invest in.
- A: Good question. The short answer is "yes." Some of the federal and state securities laws apply to all equity investments regardless of the status of the investor.
However, some investments are exempt from registration, which simplifies things and saves costs. For example, private offerings of stock are exempt from registration under Section 506(b) of the Securities Act of 1933. Such private placements are exempt from registration under California state law pursuant to Corporations Code Section 25102(f). Other exemptions may apply as well.
But it is important to know that: (1) each of these exemptions has other requirements that are not covered here but are crucially important; ... Read More
