Dean A. Ziehl, Bankruptcy Attorney in New York
Over 48 years of legal practice · focused on Bankruptcy, Business, and Litigation
New, NY
Practicing bankruptcy in New York since 1978.
- 48+
- Years practicing
- 3
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Dean A. Ziehl?
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Quick answer
Dean A. Ziehl is an attorney based in New York, NEW YORK. The practice focuses on Bankruptcy, Business, and Litigation. Dean has over 48 years of legal experience.
- Based in
- New York, NEW YORK
- Experience
- over 48 years
- Known for
- Bankruptcy · Business · Litigation
- Handles Bankruptcy, Business, and Litigation matters from New York, NEW YORK.
- Over 48 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Bankruptcy (Los Angeles) (2021).
About Dean A. Ziehl: Dean A. Ziehl is an attorney based in New York, NEW YORK. The practice focuses on Bankruptcy, Business, and Litigation. Dean has over 48 years of legal experience.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Dean takes on
Dean concentrates on bankruptcy, business, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Dean handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Bankruptcy
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Business
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Litigation
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Bankruptcy cases in New York
Dean takes bankruptcy matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Dean agrees to represent you.
Business cases in New York
Dean takes business matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Dean agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in New York
Dean takes litigation matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Dean agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Dean A. Ziehl — bankruptcy lawyer in New York
Dean A. Ziehl is an attorney based in New York, NEW YORK. The practice focuses on Bankruptcy, Business, and Litigation. Dean has over 48 years of legal experience.
Mr. Ziehl has been a managing partner of the firm since it was founded in 1983, overseeing its growth into the nation’s largest law firm specializing in insolvency matters. Admitted to the bar in both California and New York, he has a national bankruptcy and litigation practice, specializing in complex bankruptcy proceedings and business litigation, with significant trial experience in both state and federal courts.
Mr. Ziehl has represented debtors, creditor committees, bondholders, trustees, examiners, and equity holders in many of the firm’s most notable engagements, including the high-profile chapter 11 cases of Lehman Brothers, Adelphia Communications, American Suzuki Motor Corporation and TK Holdings (Takata), as well as numerous out-of-court workouts. He is or has been involved in many other significant chapter 11 cases, including Washington Mutual, Mike Tyson, Webvan Group, Chrysler Corporation and Polaroid Corporation. In addition, he currently serves as the liquidation trustee and disbursing agent for SFX Liquidating Trust and as chair of the trustees overseeing the liquidations of Adelphia Communications and Physiotherapy Associates. He has also represented the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees as amicus curiae in the U.S. Supreme Court as well as on numerous appeals in federal courts of appeal and state supreme and appellate courts.
Mr. Ziehl currently serves as a member of the board of trustees of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, the advisory board of the Loyola Law School Advocacy Institute, and the board of directors of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society. He is a former chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Litigation Section and the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Central District Lawyers Representatives.
Mr. Ziehl is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and received his J.D. from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, where he was a member of the Loyola Law Review editorial staff. Following law school, he clerked for the Hon. Albert Lee Stephens, Jr., Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Mr. Ziehl has long held an “AV Preeminent Peer Rating,” Martindale-Hubbell's highest recognition for ethical standards and legal ability; has been voted by his business litigation peers as a "Super Lawyer" since 2004 (Los Angeles Magazine); and was selected by Best Lawyers in America for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law as well as Commercial Litigation. In 2014, the Century City Bar Association honored him as its “Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year.”
Dean's approach to bankruptcy cases
Mr. Ziehl has been a managing partner of the firm since it was founded in 1983, overseeing its growth into the nation’s largest law firm specializing in insolvency matters. Admitted to the bar in both California and New York, he has a national bankruptcy and litigation practice, specializing in complex bankruptcy proceedings and business litigation, with significant trial experience in both state…
Clients Dean works with
Dean reviews new inquiries case-by-case for bankruptcy, business, and litigation matters across New York.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Loyola Marymount University
J.D. · 1978
University of California Berkeley
B.A.
Jurisdictions
Dean's state bar admissions
New York
2003 · ACTIVE
District of Columbia
2002 · ACTIVE
California
1978 · ACTIVE
Dean studied at J.D. in Loyola Marymount University and B.A. in University of California Berkeley.
Law school and academic background
Dean completed J.D. in Loyola Marymount University and B.A. in University of California Berkeley. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Dean runs in New York is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Dean has received 8 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Bankruptcy (Los Angeles)
2021
Best Lawyers in America — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Bankruptcy
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Super Lawyers: Recognized in 2004-2020 editions
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Century City Bar Association: Named Bankruptcy Lawyer of the year in 2014
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Bankruptcy (Los Angeles) (2021). Best Lawyers in America — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Bankruptcy (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026).
Locations
Dean A. Ziehl's office in New York
Dean's primary office is at 1700 Broadway, 36th Floor, New York, New York, 10017-2024. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Dean A. Ziehl
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Dean A. Ziehl — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new bankruptcy attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Dean usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Dean charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Dean's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Dean will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a bankruptcy attorney in New York
A short list to run through before you commit: How many bankruptcy matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Dean
Dean discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in bankruptcy practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every bankruptcy matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Dean confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Dean's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many bankruptcy practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Dean A. Ziehl
How much does it cost to hire Dean for a bankruptcy case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Dean walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Dean offer a free consultation?
Dean charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Dean's office. Some bankruptcy attorneys offer free consults — check Dean's current terms during booking.
How long do bankruptcy cases in New York typically take?
Simple bankruptcy matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Dean gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Dean take my case if I'm outside New York?
Dean is licensed in New York. Matters governed by New York law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Dean will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Dean?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Dean will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Dean accepting new bankruptcy clients right now?
Dean's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Bankruptcy attorneys serving Albany and Brooklyn in New York
Dean handles bankruptcy matters throughout New York. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified bankruptcy attorneys in that community.
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