An Experienced Guide
Through Bankruptcy

Todd C. Ringstad

Photo of Todd C. Ringstad
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Location:

Newport Beach, CA

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Todd C. Ringstad was born in San Bernardino, California in 1954.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Riverside in 1976.  In 1980, he received his Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law, where he was awarded the Order of the Coif, an honor which is bestowed upon the top 10% of the graduating class.  Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Ringstad served for one year as law clerk to the Honorable Mack Easley, Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court.  

Throughout his career, Mr. Ringstad has specialized in the representation of debtors, creditors, trustees and creditor committees in bankruptcy cases, and has established a reputation as one of Southern California's leading bankruptcy practitioners.  Because of his considerable trial experience, he is often called upon to lecture on bankruptcy trial procedure and tactics.  He has appeared in Bankruptcy Courts throughout California and in Delaware, New York, Texas and Nevada, and before the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, the United States District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Ringstad has been selected as a Super Lawyer, representing the top 5% of practicing attorneys in Southern California based on peer recognition and professional achievement.  Mr. Ringstad holds an "AV" Preeminent Peer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer recognition for legal ability and ethical standards. 

Mr. Ringstad served as Chairperson of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section of the Orange County Bar Association in 1986; and as Program Chair of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section in 1985.  He served as a member of the Special Projects Committee for the Orange County Bankruptcy Forum from 1988 through 1993.  He is a Master in the Peter M. Elliott Inn of Court.

Mr. Ringstad has taught and lectured extensively on bankruptcy law, trial tactics and legal ethics.  The seminars in which he has participated as a lecturer or instructor include: 

"Recent Developments in Chapter 11," OCBA Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section, 2014

"Objection Your Honor - A Workshop on Evidentiary Issues in Bankruptcy Cases," Orange County Bankruptcy Forum, 2013

"Representing Non-Profits in Bankruptcy Proceedings & Lessons from the Crystal Cathedral Case," OCBA Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section, 2013

"It's All In the Numbers - A Seminar Regarding Major Financial Issues in Chapter 11 Cases," Orange County Bankruptcy Forum, 2012

"CCIM Real Estate Bankruptcy Seminar," CCIM Institute, 2009

"Bankruptcy Basics for Business Litigators," OCBA Business Litigation Section, 2009

Guest Lecturer, "Litigation Strategies and Tactics in Bankruptcy Cases," Chapman University School of Law "Advanced Bankruptcy class," 2002

"Bridging the Gap: Orientation to Federal Practice," Federal Bar Association, 2000-2004

"Bankruptcy Litigation:  A Workshop in Trial Strategy and Technique," Orange County Bankruptcy Forum, 1995

"Handling a Chapter 11 Reorganization the Right Way, Adopting the Expert's System," CEB 1994

"Bankruptcy Reorganizations (Chapter 11): Effective Strategies for Pacesetting Attorneys Representing Debtors and Creditors," CEB 1993

"Chapter 11 Plan Confirmation Hearing-Mock Trial," California Bankruptcy Forum Annual Conference, 1991

"A Bankruptcy Trial Workshop," Orange County Bankruptcy Forum, 1989

"Pre-Trial Preparation in Bankruptcy Adversary Proceedings," Orange County Bankruptcy Forum, 1988

"Creditor's Remedies and Debtor's Rights," California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), 1986, 1988

"Bankruptcy Practice for Paralegals," University of California, Riverside Extension. 1986

Areas Of Practice

  • Bankruptcy
  • Business Reorganization
  • Insolvency

Bar Admissions

  • California, 1980
  • New Mexico, 1981
  • U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1981
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1981
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1981

Education

  • University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, Los Angeles, California
    • J.D. - 1980
    • Honors: Order of the Coif
  • University of California, Riverside, California
    • B.A. - 1976
  • San Bernardino Valley College, San Diego, California
    • B.A. - 1976

Published Works

  • “Bankruptcy 101: The Basics for Non-Bankruptcy Practitioners”, Orange County Lawyer, January, 2010

Professional Associations And Memberships

  • Orange County Bar Association, Chairman, 1986
  • Orange County Bar Association, Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section, Member, 1985 to 1986
  • Order of the Coif, Member