Magdalena Reyes Bordeaux Managed Public Counsel’s Debtor Assistance Project – the Largest Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program in the Country
LOS ANGELES, January 19, 2022 – After more than 20 years of practicing bankruptcy law, Magdalena Reyes Bordeaux, a senior supervising staff attorney with Public Counsel, has become the first Latina woman appointed to the Federal Bankruptcy Bench for the Central District of California. Reyes Bordeaux was sworn in yesterday by Chief Bankruptcy Judge Theodor Albert at an outdoor ceremony (due to Covid precautions) at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Riverside Division.
“I have dedicated my life to public service,” said Reyes Bordeaux, “and I look forward to serving the diverse community of United States Bankruptcy Court, Riverside Division under the leadership of Chief Bankruptcy Judge Theodor Albert and alongside my colleagues and highly esteemed members of the bankruptcy bench.”
Reyes Bordeaux managed Public Counsel’s Debtor Assistance Project for the past twelve years. The program provides bankruptcy and bankruptcy-related legal assistance and representation to thousands of individuals and families every year, and is the country’s largest bankruptcy pro bono program. Over her career, Reyes Bordeaux has worked extensively with the Bankruptcy Courts for the Central District of California, Office of the United States Trustee, and private bankruptcy attorneys on bankruptcy matters affecting the Courts.
“For two decades, Maggie Reyes Bordeaux has provided expert and compassionate service to low-income communities in Southern California,” said Mónica Ramírez Almadani, Public Counsel’s President & CEO. “She has been a leading voice in elevating critical issues related to bankruptcy law and has grown and strengthened Public Counsel’s bankruptcy program. Our nation is fortunate to have such an excellent attorney, with a unique and diverse public interest background, on the federal bankruptcy bench.”
Reyes Bordeaux has served as an appointed member of the 9th Circuit Judicial Conference Executive Committee, was an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School, and has authored numerous articles on bankruptcy issues – including two featured as cover stories for L.A. Lawyer Magazine. She is a frequent speaker at bankruptcy educational panels and has received several awards recognizing her work and scholarship in bankruptcy law. She is a graduate of UCLA School of Law and received her Bachelor of Arts from U.C. Irvine.
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About Public Counsel – Founded in 1970, Public Counsel is the nation’s largest provider of pro bono legal services, utilizing an innovative legal model to promote justice, hope, and opportunity in lower-income and communities of color in Los Angeles and across the nation. Through groundbreaking civil rights litigation, community building, advocacy, and policy change, as well as wide-ranging direct legal services that annually help thousands of people experiencing poverty, Public Counsel has fought to secure equal justice and opportunity for all for more than 50 years.
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