Attorneys of Red Rock Legal Services, P.L.L.C.
Andres Diaz
Attorney
- J.D., University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law
- University of Utah Law Review
- M.B.A., University of Utah
- B.S., Finance, University of Utah
With more than 25 years of legal experience in bankruptcy matters, Andres Diaz currently focuses exclusively on representing individual and business debtors in bankruptcy actions. Mr. Diaz began his legal career representing creditors. In particular, Mr. Diaz was instrumental in developing, filing, and confirming numerous creditor plans of reorganization in Chapter 11 bankruptcies.
This unique experience representing creditors ensures he can better represent his current clients by anticipating the arguments and strategies creditors will use during bankruptcy proceedings.
Following his experience representing creditors, Mr. Diaz accepted a position as a Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the District of Utah. In this capacity, he administered more than 20,000 cases and distributed over $114 million to creditors over eleven years. He was also instrumental in making changes in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy practice in Utah. These changes include implementing the combined consent confirmation and claims objection process and the use of a
Additionally, his extensive bankruptcy experience means that he is often invited to give seminars and serve on panels regarding bankruptcy issues.
- Utah State Bar
- Federal ADR Panel for bankruptcy issues, 1996-present
- National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees, 1997-2008
- Utah State Bar Spring Meeting in St. George, Utah (2009)
- Utah Bankruptcy Forum Meeting in St. George, Utah (2007)
- Training seminar for the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah Clerk’s Office (2002)
- Semi-annual Continuing Legal Education seminars for Chapter 13 practitioners approved by the Utah State Bar (1997-2002)
- National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees Seminar in St. Louis, Missouri (2000)
- Utah State Bar New Lawyers CLE (1998)
- Utah State Bar Annual Meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho (1998)
- “Deficiency Judgment Denied for Failure to Conduct Commercially Reasonable Sale,” 1983 Utah Law Review 1, p. 262
- “Utah Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Laws, Scope of Employment,” 1983 Utah Law Review 3, p. 593
- “Personal Obligation to Pay Real Property Taxes in Utah: Dillman v. Foster,” 1983 Utah Law Review 4, p. 845
- “Attorney’s Fees in Bankruptcy Cases,” 1984 Utah Law Review 3, p. 543
Geoffrey L. Chesnut
Attorney
- J.D., Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law
- Member of the McFarland Inn of legal fraternity Phi Delta Phi
- B.S., Political Science, Southern Utah University
Geoffrey L. Chesnut has been focused on representing individual and business debtors in Chapters 7, 13 and 11 bankruptcies since he was admitted to the Utah bar in 2008. He has quickly established a reputation among other attorneys, bankruptcy trustees and the bankruptcy court as an efficient, effective and knowledgeable advocate for his clients. He is one of only a few practitioners with experience in prosecuting cases under Chapter 11 in Southern Utah. He has expanded his practice outside of bankruptcy and has experience in all areas of family law, criminal law, estate planning and civil litigation.
He receives regular referrals from the large well-known firms who feel comfortable sending their clients in need of bankruptcy assistance to consult with Geoffrey. He also regularly assists the Iron County on bankruptcy matters as they interest county government.
Mr. Chesnut spearheaded several defenses resulting in written opinions by courts in the District of Utah. Geoffrey presently serves his community as the Mayor of Enoch City, Utah. He is married, a father of three.
While in law school Geoffrey was a law clerk for the Honorable Sally Schneider Duncan of the Arizona Superior Court in Maricopa County, where he drafted a reference guide for the court concerning new sentencing guidelines. Mr. Chesnut was a member of the Moot Court team sent by Arizona State University to the Dean Jerome Prince Competition held in Brooklyn, New York, where he competed both on and off brief for the team.
Mr. Chesnut recently spearheaded the defense of a couple in bankruptcy whose home owners association was attempting to collect HOA fees due after they filed bankruptcy. In a written opinion by Chief Judge William T. Thurman, the position taken by Mr. Chesnut was upheld and the court held that HOA fees can be discharged in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Mr. Chesnut is currently defending two cases that may have major implications on the bankruptcy practice in the State of Utah including the ability of debtors to pay a full tithe to their church and to retain both Earned Income Credits and Additional Child Tax Credits.
Geoffrey recently finished his first marathon and was a candidate for the Utah State Senate in 2012. He is married, a father of one.
Memberships
- Utah State Bar
- Washington State Bar
- United States District Court, District of Utah
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- United States District Court, Western District of Washington
- District of Utah Chapter 13 Local Rules Committee
- Southern Utah Bar Association
- Bankruptcy Law Section
Thomas D. Neeleman
Attorney
- J.D., Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School
- M.B.A., Master of Business Administration,
- B.S., Finance and Management, University of Utah
Thomas D. Neeleman is the founding member of Thomas D. Neeleman, Esq., L.C., a multi-office bankruptcy
Mr. Neeleman received undergraduate degrees in Finance and Management from the University of Utah and received his Masters of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University. Mr. Neeleman is a trained financial mediator and has completed post-graduate training in Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Mr. Neeleman has been a presenter on topics including electronic court filing, implementing the paperless law office, and remote computer access to the law firm environment.
Mr. Neeleman has been practicing law since 1982 and handles complex litigation for the affiliate office in Washington State.