Meet Kris

KRISTIN (KRIS) A. ZILBERSTEIN is a Supervising Attorney Bankruptcy for Padgett Law Group (PLG). In her role, Kris leads PLG’s docket related matters in bankruptcy also known as bankruptcy litigation, the practices’ national unit, and business purpose loans. In addition, Kris is continuing her Chapter 11 practice with PLG. She is based out of the Dallas, TX office.

Her career began in general liability insurance defense where she gained extensive experience handlingall aspects of Civil Litigation including jury trials. In 2009, Kris transitioned to bankruptcy during the “Great Recession” and cut her teeth in bankruptcy law during a tumultuous time that was experiencing constant change. Kris is an accomplished attorney with a proven track record of successfully resolving matters through settlement, motion practice, trial, and appeal. Her experience has been focusing on a broad range of complex legal, business and strategic issues related to real property, default and bankruptcy litigation. Representative clients include financial institutions, loan servicers, businesses, and insurers in state and federal courts. Most recently, Kris has focused on implementing a program
where loans are pre-evaluated for loss mitigation and default resolution in lieu of initiating litigation (Motions for Relief etc.)

Kris is experienced in both legal and operations aspects of a bankruptcy practice. Her specific experience as noted being in generic bankruptcy filings, bankruptcy litigation including Chapter 11s, and creditor rights’ practice. Prior to joining PLG, she held operational leadership, attorney management, and senior attorney positions at two large national bankruptcy firms. Kris’ experience and managerial roles have allowed her to fully understand what obstacles our clients may face and provide a cost effective resolution.
In addition to her practice Kris is a frequent panelist for industry and local engagements, including several ALFN bankruptcy webinars, Intersect and Answers’ panels as well as a co-chair of the Bankruptcy Practice Group of the ALFN and member of ALFN’s WILL. Kris received an AV Preeminent ® rating from Martindale Hubbell, ranking her at the highest level of professional excellence for legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
LICENSED IN CALIFORNIA, COLORADO,NEBRASKA, TEXAS AND WASHINGTON STATE

1995 EARNED B.S.
University of California

1998 EARNED j.d.
California Western School of Law

People, Places, Presentations

Recent Engagements
Panelist ALFN ANSWERS Conference Bankruptcy Panel “Bankruptcy Break-Down: New POC Forms & Other Challenges” July 2016 | Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of Preeminent 8/11/2016 | December 2016 ALFN Angle Magazine identified as one of “16 Women Who Rocked 2016” | Panelist ALFN Intersect Conference “How to Survive Chapter 13: The Highs and Lows” February 2017 | Panelist ALFN ANSWERS Conference Bankruptcy Panel “Bankruptcy Break-Down: Non-Consensual Vesting of Property in Secured Lender at Confirmation” July 2017 | ALFN Intersect Conference Moderator of “The Life of a Ch.11 Bankruptcy” panel February 2018 | Panelist ALFN ANSWERS Conference “Trail Jeopardy” July 2018 | Member Intersect Conference Planning Subcommittee re: discussion topics January 2019 | ALFN Intersect Conference Moderator of “Non-Borrower Filings – Is it a scam?  Chapter 11 Fraud Issues” March 2019

Engagements Prior to 2016
Panelist in The Orange County Bankruptcy Forum’s Brown Bag Lunch “Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Practice Tips Part II” 9/13/2012 | Member of Chapter 13 Bench/Bar Committee Central District Bankruptcy Court 2012-2018 | Member of Subcommittee Re: Restructuring of Chapter 13 Plan and Procedures July 2016-2018 | Member of ALFN Bankruptcy Practice Group 2013-Present | Member of Central District Bankruptcy Court Bar Rules Advisory Group Re: Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay Forms 2013 | Member of Central District Bankruptcy Court Bar Rules Advisory Group Re: Chapter 11 Forms 2014 | Member of ALFN Bankruptcy Practice Group Co-chair 2014-Present | Panelist ALFN Webinar “All Crammed Down and No Place to Go” June 2014 | Panelist ALFN Webinar “Rule 3002.1” September 2014 | Panelist ALFN Webinar “Chapter 13 Cram Downs” December 2014 | Co-Author Amicus Brief by ALFN in Bank of New York Mellon v. Watt et al 3:14-cv-02051-AA | Member of ALFN Women in Legal Leadership Group 2015-Present | Panelist ALFN ANSWERS Conference Bankruptcy Panel “BK Rule & Form Changes in 2015-2016 They’re Heeeere” July 2015 | Panelist ALFN Webinar “What You Did Not Hear at ANSWERS - Rule 3002.1” August 2015 | Panelist ALFN Webinar “Mortgage Modification Mediation in Bankruptcy: Trends and Developments in key states including CA, NY, FL and SC” October 2015 | Panelist ALFN Webinar “ALFN Hot Topics Webinar – Revised Proof of Claim Forms” November 2015