Bradford W. Botes

Principal

Birmingham, Alabama
1-877-581-3396

Brad Botes is Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification and a principal of the Bond & Botes law offices serving clients across Alabama and Mississippi. For decades, he has helped individuals and families stop creditor harassment, prevent garnishments and repossessions, and protect homes through the immediate relief of the automatic stay—clear, practical solutions when financial stress is affecting work, family, and health.

Education

J.D., Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (1986)

B.S., University of North Alabama (1983)

Admissions & Certifications

Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law, American Board of Certification
Bar Admissions: Alabama (1986); Illinois (1987); Mississippi (2003); Tennessee (2003)
Courts: U.S. District Courts in AL/MS/TN/IL; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court

Honors & Recognitions

Super Lawyers (2018–2025)
The Best Lawyers in America® (2018–2025)
Birmingham “Top Lawyer,” B-Metro
Avvo 10.0 (“Superb”)

Leadership & Professional Service

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) – Member since inception; former Board of Directors member; first full-time Executive Director
NACBA Champion, Order of Protectors of Consumer Debtors (2003)
Frequent lecturer to local and national groups of bankruptcy attorneys, trustees, and judges

Speaking & Publications

Recent (Last 5 Years)

Alabama State Bar, Bankruptcy at the Beach — Destin, FL (9/10/2021) — CLE 8.0; Ethics 1.0
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Ala., Western Division — Fall 2021 Bankruptcy CLE — Tuscaloosa, AL (9/17/2021) — CLE 4.0
CLEAlabama, Bankruptcy Law Update — Hoover, AL (11/19/2021) — CLE 6.0; Ethics 1.0
CLEAlabama, Alabama Update — Tuscaloosa, AL (12/1/2021) — Teaching 6.0
CLEAlabama, Alabama Update — Hoover, AL (12/17/2021) — Teaching 3.0
Alabama State Bar, Bankruptcy at the Beach — Destin, FL (6/3/2022) — CLE 8.0; Ethics 1.0

Publications

“Historic Changes on the Bankruptcy Bench in Alabama,” 11th Circuit Historical News (2017)
“Marketing Your Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Post–BAPCPA,” LRP Publications (2007)
“Is This Pre-Petition Planning?” 30th Annual Bankruptcy Law Update (2011)
“Bankruptcy and Divorce,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2018)

Community

Brad has served on the Boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, the Crisis Center of Birmingham, the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, and the Alabama Coalition Against Rape.

Favorite Local Restaurant

I have lived in the great State of Alabama for over 40 years but as a Chicago area native, I love a good pizza! Tortugas Pizza serves a great Chicago style pizza!

What I like best about my job

No other attorney can do more good for his client, more quickly, than a consumer bankruptcy attorney. When people come to see me, their financial problems have put them under a great deal of stress which may be impacting their job, marriage and ability to be a good parent. We can usually eliminate that stress almost immediately. When a bankruptcy petition is filed, the court enters an “automatic stay” which instantly shelters the client from collection calls, repossessions, foreclosure, wage garnishments and virtually all kinds of collection activity. Being able to provide this type of peace to a client is extremely gratifying.

An introduction to our firm by Brad Botes: