Our Firm

Overview of The Firm

In 1979 Ralph G. Pagter, then a sole practitioner, founded Pagter Law Corporation.  From 1979 through 1983, the firm principally handled insolvency and bankruptcy matters, with some business litigation in state court.  From January 1984 through October of 1986, Mr. Pagter served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District of California. Judge Pagter returned to the private practice of law, under the name Pagter Law Corporation, in early 1987.  R. Gibson Pagter, Jr. joined the firm in June 1987.  Harlene Miller joined the firm as a law clerk in 1988 and as a lawyer in 1990.  .  Both Mr. Pagter and Ms. Miller are certified specialists in bankruptcy law through the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California.

In1994 the firm changed its name to Pagter and Miller ("P&M").  Judge Pagter retired from the firm in 1995.  The Pagter and Miller office is conveniently located near the Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana, California.  Since 1986, the practice of the firm has focused on personal and business insolvency and bankruptcy matters. Pagter and Miller aims to provide the highest quality services at a fair and rea­sonable price.

P&M represents and has represented bankruptcy Trustees, shareholders and other creditors, debtors, and other parties in interest in all types of bankruptcy cases throughout California and  often outside of California as well.  Through this practice the members of P&M have gained an under­standing of the positions and viewpoints of all parties in a bankruptcy case.  P&M believes that this gives it the ability to evaluate your desires more accurately and realistically than a firm which represents only creditors or debtors.

We work closely with our clients with aggressive and innovative approaches to solve their problems and meet their needs.  By concentrating the firm's combined talents, experience and energies in representing debtors and creditors, we believe we have the ability to provide efficient, cost-effective quality legal services.  We value each client relationship, recognizing that our success is a direct result of the success of our clients.

We are here to help our clients with unparalleled expertise and understanding.


Staff and Support Services

Our administrative staff is well-trained and experienced in meeting and anticipating our clients' needs.  They carry through with our firm's philosophy of friendly and responsive service to our clients.

Our staff uses the latest computer technology and word processing equipment, much of which has been designed specifically for us.  This helps to standardize the preparation of documents and to complete them with efficiency and cost-effectiveness.  Our firm maintains an extensive law library, together with a computer research system which allows comprehensive research to be carried out quickly and efficiently.