Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Gladstone.
Hi Leslie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I first immigrated from Vancouver, British Columbia, to the United States in 1989 to attend law school at the beautiful Pepperdine University School of Law. I was very lucky to receive a full scholarship to attend this university. I studied very hard and, as a result, was able to graduate cum laude and obtained an offer to work at Gray, Cary, Ames & Frye, a prestigious law firm based in San Diego. I was thrilled to be able to live in San Diego and to practice law in my chosen field of Creditor Rights and Insolvency.
I worked for Gray Cary for several years and also opened a restaurant in downtown San Diego called “Stone’s Cafe.” Running the restaurant was hard work and very much cemented my desire to work in the turnaround/insolvency industry. Consequently, in 1998 I applied for and obtained a government appointed position as a federal bankruptcy trustee. In that capacity, I frequently take over management of various troubled companies and hopefully find a way for them to come out of insolvency.
I also, at that same time, opened up my own law firm – Financial Law Group, PC. Financial Law Group now has four lawyers and two paralegals, and we specialize in creditors’ rights, insolvency, commercial litigation, asset recovery, and fiduciary representation. My fiduciary work has expanded to still include Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee work but also to include receivership appointments, working as an assignee for the benefit of creditors and various liquidating trustee appointments, as well as representing various fiduciaries and creditors as their counsel. After spending many years on the board, I became President of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees (“NABT”) in 2021/2022, and in 2023, I was asked to join a delegation at the United Nations in Vienna, Austria, working on international model rules involving asset recovery in cross border insolvencies. That work continues on, and I hope to be representing the delegation again in New York and Vienna in 2024. I remain active with NABT and am also active in Turnaround Management Association, the National Association of Federal Equity Receivers, the California Bankruptcy Forum, and the California Receivers Forum. I am a frequent speaker on matters relevant to fiduciary representation and on international asset recovery.
On a personal level, I have two daughters. My oldest daughter is a very successful businessperson in San Diego and currently owns Point Loma Sports Club and Point Loma Wellness Center. My youngest daughter first came into my life when I fostered her through Angels Foster Family Agency, and I then adopted her at the age of 4. She is completing her degree at the University of British Columbia, living in my hometown, and specializing in the area of Social Justice. I am incredibly proud of both of my children and love them likely more than they will ever know.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have always felt extremely lucky in my life. I remember where I was standing when I received the offer of full scholarship to Pepperdine University School of Law. It had been my lifelong dream to somehow move to Southern California, and this scholarship enabled me to jump at the chance.
However, definitely the move was a challenge. Many things were different and my first semester I was delayed at the border returning from a family holiday celebration due to a glitch in my immigration documents. I missed my flight and my first day back to classes! I also had no vehicle for my first year, so I got strong legs from my walks around Malibu and up to campus. I spent a lot of time studying those three years.
It was also a struggle operating my restaurant; I learned a lot in those years. And more recently, I built the building where my law firm is now housed, which was the hardest thing I have ever done, being that it was during COVID when everything was very delayed, and it was challenging to move forward with anything.
All in all, though, I am deeply appreciative for all the experiences I have had, the friendships I have made, and, of course, for the joy of watching my two daughters become amazing humans!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Financial Law Group is a small law firm housed in the Bird Rock area of La Jolla. We handle a wide range of matters, primarily concerning commercial litigation, asset recovery, and fiduciary representation. We represent lenders or fiduciaries seeking to recover funds/assets from their borrowers/debtors, we assist governmental entities needing a receiver or other type of fiduciary to manage assets, and we also represent business or asset owners needing help in managing their businesses or assets pending a sale or litigation resolution.
What sets us apart is that we have a lot of repeat business from our clients and very close attorney-client relationships. Because I am a fiduciary myself, I understand very well the needs of my clients and the necessity of working efficiently and effectively.
Brand-wise, I am proud of our dedication to our clients and our excellent reputation in the Courts and the community.
What does success mean to you?
To me, true success is finding a combination of doing excellent work for others and also having time to enjoy life outside of work with friends, family, and activities. I love to travel and combine that often in my work activities. I also love to be active, so I make sure to take time for workouts, yoga, skiing, and water play. We are so lucky to be able to live in San Diego, with all it has to offer. I love to do it all, so success for me is a full plate of work and play!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flgsd.com
- Linkedin: Leslie Gladstone
