Specializing in creditors' rights and cases of insolvency, John Lapinski joined Clark & Trevithick in May 1994. Before joining Clark & Trevithick, he was managing partner of another Los Angeles firm. John has extensive experience representing lenders in workout negotiations and in bankruptcy proceedings.

John received his bachelor's degree in Biology from Pennsylvania State University in 1969 and his law degree from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law in 1976, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award in Bankruptcy Law.

Considered an expert in the field of creditors' rights, enforcement of judgements and provisional remedies, John has lectured and written articles on these subjects. He chaired the Creditor, Debtor and Bankruptcy Law Committee of the State Bar of California (1983-1984), which assisted in writing the Enforcement of Judgment Law. His other bar activities have included membership in the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Law Committee and Commercial Law Committee and chair of the Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section (2004-2005); president of the Federal Bar Association Los Angeles Chapter (1983-1984); Vice President of the 9th Circuit Federal Bar Association (1985-1989); and Trustee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (1989-1990). His publications include Making Creditors Secure, Los Angeles Lawyer (February 1984); Special Enforcement Remedies: Turnover and Assignment Orders, co-authored, Beverly Hills Bar Association Journal (September 1987); Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, co-authored, Los Angeles Lawyer (May 1993) and Advising Distressed Businesses on an Alternative to Bankruptcy, co-authored, Los Angeles Lawyer (September 2001). John has also participated in a bench-bar committee involved in drafting local bankruptcy rules and other matters of joint interest for the bankruptcy courts and practitioners.

In addition to his other involvements, John has served as a consultant on the Secured Transactions in California Commercial Law Practice in 1986, and Debt Collection Practice in California in 2008, both published by CEB and on the California Practice Guide, Enforcement of Judgments and Debts, published by The Rutter Group in 1988.

John is married and has two children. He is actively involved in the Penn State Alumni Association and Development Committee to the Dean of Eberly College of Science.

Contact John Lapinski

John A. Lapinski is a member of the following C&T Legal Teams: