Mr. Colaw represents creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, including enforcement of creditor security interests, relief from stay motions, preference claims, fraudulent transfer claims and other similar related matters in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 bankruptcy proceedings.

Mr. Colaw also enforces creditor rights through California state court proceedings.  This includes filing collection complaints, seeking pre-judgment remedies such as applications for writ of attachment and for injunctive relief and post-judgment enforcement through filing liens, writs of possession, writs of execution and judgment debtor examinations. The office represents both secured and unsecured creditors, suppliers, manufacturers, agricultural entities, landlords and related clients. The practice includes preparation of transactional documents for its clients, including clients who are secured by real property liens and personal property UCC liens, the formation of business entities and general business law.

The office also has a secondary legal practice area related to family law. This includes dissolution proceedings, legal separation proceedings, child and spousal support, child custody and visitation, restraining order/domestic violence proceedings, non-married partner disputes and property division proceedings.

Bar Admissions

  • State of California, 1987
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1989

Education

  • Mediation certification, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, 2011
  • J.D., McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, 1987
  • B.S., California State University at Fresno, 1984
  • A.A., Merced College, 1982

Honors and business ratings

  • BV® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Better Business Bureau, A+

    Accredited Business, 2013

  • AVVO.com, 8.1/Excellent Rating, 2013
  • Stanislaus County Superior Court, Certificate of Pro Tem Assistance, 2000
  • Bankroft-Whitney Company, American Jurisprudence Award in Sales, 1987
  • Bankroft-Whitney Company, American Jurisprudence Award in Estate and Gift Tax, 1986
  • Legal editor and associate writer, Owens California Forms and Procedure, 1986-1987

Professional associations

  • Stanislaus County Arbitration Panel
    • Member, 2012-present
  • California Bar Association
    • Member, Business Law Section, 1992-present
  • Stanislaus County Bar Association
    • Member, 1987-present
  • Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity
    • Member, 1983-1984

Representative cases

  • Central Valley Dairymen v. Sorrento Lactalis
  • Linda Miller v. Lawrence Paul Schieffer
  • Penske Truck Leasing Co. L.P. v. Port Seafood
  • Sanders v. Sanchez
  • Big O Tires, LLC v. Mark A. Lackowski
  • Mohammand Asghar v. Naveed Asghar
  • Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. v. Agri-Comm