David R. Hagen is one of the better-known bankruptcy attorneys in the Los Angeles area. He was recently named one of the top 25 attorneys in the San Fernando Valley by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. He was also a panel Trustee for the United States Trustee’s Office for the Central District. He was one of the only panel Trustees in the Central District from 2002 to 2012 who also had an active Debtor practice. (Dave has since left the panel to focus on representing debtors and bankruptcy estates, using his experience to benefit his private clients.)

Dave graduated cum laude from California Lutheran University in 1978 and received his law degree from Southwestern University in 1982. He initially began practicing law in Los Angeles with two firms on the west side. In 1988, he formed the firm of Merritt & Hagen.

Merritt & Hagen has been “AV” rated by Martindale Hubbell for many years. (“AV” is their highest rating.) The firm has consulted with more than 9,000 individuals and businesses in financial trouble and filed more than 6,500 bankruptcy cases over the years.

Teaching is a passion for Dave. He has taught college level courses for paralegals at several local colleges. He was an instructor in the MBA program at California Lutheran University for two semesters teaching business law. He has made several presentations to the Individual and Consumer Bankruptcy Sub-committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He also taught the Bridging the Gap program at the San Fernando Valley Bankruptcy Court for several years.

Dave also tries to make time for public service. He served on the Board of Directors of TreePeople for six years. During this time, he did a two-year stint as Chairman of the Board. He was a Trustee of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association and served as the President during 1996 and 1997. He has received the President’s Award twice, in 1998 and 2003, for his service to the Bar Association. In 1997, Dave served as a Trustee for the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Legal Foundation which provides free legal services to those who cannot afford them.

Dave has published many materials for lawyers and the public alike. In 1985, he published a booklet entitled The Basics of Bankruptcy for Accountants and Attorneys. This publication has received much acclaim among professionals. David also produced the cassette tape entitled “How to Prosper”. This provides advice to individuals on how to avoid bankruptcy. The written version of this tape appeared on page two of the Business Section of the Los Angeles Times in January 1997. He also wrote and produced the CD “5 Sneaky Secrets the Credit Card Companies Don’t Want you to Know.” Most recently, Dave was asked to write a chapter in the recently released publication Individual and Small Business Bankruptcy Practice published by CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar, an extension of the Board of Regents of the University of California).

Dave is the co-creator and host of the cable television program “Legal Forum.” The program deals with various topics of public interest and airs on the East and West valley cable networks.

Laurie Burns – Laurie has been with the office since 1993. She initially worked as a receptionist, but now works as Dave Hagen’s assistant.