Jeffrey A. Runge
President and CEO
Attorney Jeffrey A. Runge is the President and CEO of FAMILYLEGAL. He is an entrepreneur, and a recognized leader in the legal services industry. Having been raised by a single parent, Attorney Runge brings to the Firm an untiring work ethic, one that is reminiscent of a bygone era. He is a pioneer in making legal services more accessible to working-class individuals, staying true to a belief that everyone is entitled to quality legal representation when they need it.
Bankruptcy Law – A Goal Realized
An untiring commitment to exceeding clients’ expectations has driven FAMILYLEGAL forward in their work to help individuals and families through difficult times. Changes in the economy have resulted in a defined up-turn in the number of bankruptcies and foreclosures around the nation. These economic changes have forced many hard-working individuals to look for financial protection through filing Bankruptcy.
In response, Attorney Runge has grown the largest consumer Bankruptcy Law Firm in New England. FAMILYLEGAL currently has Ten (10) offices serving the Bankruptcy needs of individuals and families in the States of: Maine; New Hampshire; Massachusetts, and; Rhode Island. Each geographical area is serviced by a specific Bankruptcy Team, comprised of experienced Attorneys and support staff. Attorney Runge, and his many Teams of experienced Bankruptcy Attorneys, are focused on one thing; helping their clients through difficult financial times. The hope offered by FAMILYLEGAL in these desperate situations is often the last option to allow families to save their homes, stop scary and harassing collection efforts, avoid devastating losses, and protect their assets and obtain financial relief.
Personal Lessons Learned
Attorney Runge’s dedication to his clients is based upon his own financially unstable childhood. Raised by a single mother, Attorney Runge saw the toll financial struggle can have on individuals. “My mother typically worked Three (3) jobs at all times. I had to learn to be self-sufficient at a very early age, because my mother was out working hard to keep a roof over our heads. Never did we have luxuries. A new car was out of the question. I remember the worry and stress on my mother’s face every month when she paid the bills. I remember wishing someone would help us in our financial struggle. From an early age, I knew that I wanted to be in a position to help others facing similar financial difficulties.”
That desire to help others pushed Attorney Runge into making the decision to attend Law School. After graduating from Law School, Attorney Runge initially focused his professional legal career in the area of Family Law. In this position, he knew he could help families through emotionally devastating matters that touch the core of a family. After achieving considerable success in Family Law, Attorney Runge pursued his dream into the area of Bankruptcy Law, where he quickly became a recognized industry leader.
Results-Driven Approach
Dreaming about helping individuals and families through difficult financial times is one thing, but actually being driven to bringing economic freedom into clients’ lives is quite another. This is where Attorney Runge’s experience and expertise in consumer Bankruptcy, most specifically in Chapters 7 and 13, makes all the difference.
On a daily basis FAMILYLEGAL proves to our clients that filing for Bankruptcy can be the best choice to protect assets and obtain a financial fresh start. As Attorney Runge explains, “financial freedom starts the moment a Bankruptcy is filed. The filing of a Bankruptcy invokes the power of Federal Law called the bankruptcy ‘stay’ which requires that creditors cease all collection efforts immediately. This means that after a Bankruptcy is filed creditors cannot foreclose, repossess, sue, garnish, call, or undertake any other actions to collect a debt without first getting permission of the Bankruptcy Court. This allows the consumer to basically call a ‘time out’ and freeze creditors in their tracks while they reorganize their debts in Chapter 13 or discharge them entirely in Chapter 7.” Thereafter, a consumer is allowed to easily proceed through the Bankruptcy process with the guidance and assistance of their experienced FAMILYLEGAL Bankruptcy Attorney.
Attorney Runge, and the other Bankruptcy Attorneys at FAMILYLEGAL have become a recognized leader in the area of consumer Bankruptcy. Often being interviewed about Bankruptcy situations and developments, on television and extensively for area newspapers, has contributed to FAMILYLEGAL’s recognition as a Bankruptcy industry leader.
Grateful Clients
During his long career as one of the leading Bankruptcy lawyers in the area, Attorney Runge has had the opportunity to assist all kinds of clients with every imaginable background through the Bankruptcy process. He will sit with you, listen to your story, identify your financial goals, explain your options, and assist you through every step of the Bankruptcy process. As Attorney Runge explains, “you do not have to go through this alone. You will have a true partner when working with me.”
His commitment and dedication to exceeding client expectations, as well as the sensitive and respectful way he treats those who are facing overwhelming financial devastation, is what makes him unique among other practitioners. These sentiments are personified by the scores of clients who feel comfortable in referring their friends and family members to Attorney Runge for representation and financial protection. As a large part of Attorney Runge’s clients are referrals, he knows his commitment to his clients must be unwavering. Such a belief in his abilities, Attorney Runge says, “is heartwarming and proves to me that I have fulfilled my goal in life – help individuals and families through difficult financial times.”
Why You Should Hire Me
When you are deciding whether Bankruptcy is the right choice for your situation, you want to make sure you know your options. You want to meet with an experienced professional who will listen to you and not be judgmental as to you or your financial situation. You want to be made to feel comfortable at every step of the Bankruptcy process. Attorney Runge is that experienced professional you can trust. He is kind, considerate, and accessible to you at all times.
Family Law – The Start
With his strong litigation background, Attorney Runge has previously served as the Director of FAMILYLEGAL’s Family Law Practice Group. In his background, he focused his expertise on handling complex and highly contested divorce and child custody cases.
Due to his proficiency in Family Law, Attorney Runge was appointed by the Governor of New Hampshire as Chairperson of a special Legislative Committee created to review the state's child support system. As a result of his efforts, serious gaps were identified, leading to the implementation of changes, and intended changes, in the system to protect adults and children affected by child support issues. Attorney Runge has also contributed to a number of other Legislative Committees relating to family law, divorce, child custody and child support. Additionally, he has participated in Legislative efforts to initiate new laws aimed at correcting unfair and unfavorable legal aspects of Family Law litigation.
As a trial lawyer, Attorney Runge has been involved with some very unique cases. While representing an "insider" in the President Clinton sex scandal, he was able to secure a considerable financial sum for his client's story of Presidential escapades. Attorney Runge's expertise was also sought when a young mother prepared to bring a paternity action against a well-known international rock star. In this case, Attorney Runge developed and implemented a strategy that allowed the woman to obtain a very favorable financial settlement without compromising her custodial rights or any time with the child. When it comes to protecting his clients' interests, Attorney Runge takes an aggressive stance. He has brought legal actions against billionaires, local and state police departments, fire departments, prosecutors, large companies, and even individual U.S. states.
Areas of Practice
Bankruptcy Law, Chapter 7 & Chapter 13
Bar Admissions:
Massachusetts Bar Association
New Hampshire Bar Association
New Hampshire Federal Bar Association
Education
Attorney Runge earned his B.S. from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire in the area of International Business Administration. He earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, Massachusetts, where he was a member of their Law Review. He is admitted to the State and Federal Bar in New Hampshire and the State Bar in Massachusetts. Attorney Runge is a member of the Nation Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI). Under Attorney Runge's direction, FAMILYLEGAL has become a premier New England law firm, providing high-quality legal representation in the areas of Bankruptcy and Family Law.
Professional Associations and Memberships
Massachusetts Bar Association
Nation Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA)
American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI)