Tom McAvity

Tom McAvity is the managing attorney for Northwest Debt Relief Law Firm. Over the past thirteen years, Tom has helped thousands of Vancouver, Seattle, and Tacoma area consumers file for protection under the bankruptcy code. Tom does not restrict his services to bankruptcy alone. He regularly appears on behalf of Washington consumers suing abusive collectors in federal court for violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. He also defends consumers in debt and foreclosure related litigation.

Tom started out as an associate at a general practice firm in Hillsboro, Oregon before agreeing to serve as a managing attorney for the largest national consumer bankruptcy firm in the country. As managing attorney for the Pacific Northwest, Tom opened and supervised bankruptcy law offices across both Washington and Oregon with locations in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Salem and Eugene.

After serving as a managing attorney for a national firm, Tom decided to open up the Northwest Debt Relief Law Firm so he could incorporate two elements he did not see other firms offering. First, offering real payment plans to consumers that allow them to quickly file their case and pay most of the fees and costs once  they were safely protected from their creditors. Second, a holistic approach to debt relief by offering credit repair counseling and  materials free of charge so that getting a “fresh start” would have real meaning.

Tom’s core belief regarding his bankruptcy practice is that you succeed by treating others with fairness and respect. As he puts it, “I try to always remember that I am only one emergency room visit away from having to file bankruptcy myself. The fact is that if I had succeeded a few years ago in talking my wife into financing a couple rental houses on interest only loans (it seemed like a great idea at the time and all my friends were doing it), I would be in the middle of my own bankruptcy right now.”

When Tom is not practicing law, he lives with his wife, Nikki, four-year-old son, Simon and golden retriever, Mayzie.  Prior to the birth of his son, he had all kinds of pastimes and hobbies, now he pretty much just runs errands.

 

BAR ADMISSIONS

Washington State Bar, 2004
Oregon State Bar, 2000
Federal Court, 2000

MEMBERSHIPS

Washington State Bar (Member, Debtor-Creditor Section)
The Oregon State Bar (Member, Debtor-Creditor Section)
Federal Bar Association
American Bankruptcy Institute
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
National Association of Consumer Advocates
Better Business Bureau
Hyatt Legal Plans
Teamster Legal Plans
ARAG Legal Plans

EDUCATION  

Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, J.D., 1999
University of Arizona, B.A., Double Major: History and Classics, 1995