Debt Relief Is All I Do
You work directly with me, from start to finish, no matter which island you live on.
Past President, Hawaiʻi Bankruptcy Bar AssociationOver 20 Years in the Hawaiʻi Bankruptcy Court
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Memberships & Recognition
For over twenty years I have helped more than a thousand people across Hawaiʻi get out of debt. Many of them walked in worried and discouraged, unsure where to turn. Almost all of my Chapter 7 clients walked out with a fresh start, and every one of them walked out with their dignity intact, because that is the whole point of what I do.
When Your Clients Are Your Neighbors
I started out at a large firm, but I went out on my own after I saw how a focus on volume got in the way of giving each client the personal attention they deserved. Before I moved to Oʻahu, I lived on the Big Island for fifteen years, where I taught Business Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and ran my own law offices in Hilo and Kona.
On the Big Island, I represented people I would later run into at the grocery store or out in the water. When your clients are also your neighbors, every case is personal, and that is how I always want to practice law.
Why Debt Relief Is All I Do
Early on I watched what debt does to good people. It is the collection calls that never stop, the fear of losing your home or your paycheck, and the long nights spent lying awake. What pulled me toward this work was watching the relief hit people the moment they understood they had a legal way out. I have never found anything more satisfying than handing someone back their peace of mind, so eventually I stopped doing anything else.
It does not matter to me how you got here. The law does not ask you to be blameless, only honest, and everyone who qualifies deserves the same second chance.
How I Work With You
You work directly with me, from your first call to the end of your case. I charge flat fees whenever I can and offer affordable payment plans, so you know how the fee works before you commit. I meet by phone, by video, or in person at my Honolulu office, including evenings and weekends, and clients on the neighbor islands can do everything remotely with no trip to Honolulu. As soon as you hire me, you can send the collection calls to my office and stop dealing with them yourself.
Let's talk about your situation.
Tell me what you are facing and I will give you a straight answer on whether bankruptcy or federal student loan discharge can help. No cost, no obligation.
Why I Now Take Federal Student Loan Discharge Cases
Most people still believe student loans cannot be wiped out in bankruptcy. That was never quite true, and since 2022 it is clearly not true for federal loans. A new Department of Justice process gave borrowers a real, workable path to discharge federal student loans when repayment is an undue hardship.
There are people here paying on loans they cannot repay, who have a legal remedy they do not know exists. So I studied the 2022 process, the statutes, and the case law, and I am now taking these cases. If you are carrying federal loans you cannot pay, I will look at your case and give you a straight answer. (I do not handle private student loans.) You can read how federal student loan discharge works here.
Credentials and Background
- Past President, Hawaiʻi Bankruptcy Bar Association.
- Former Adjunct Professor of Business Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
- Over 20 years practicing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaiʻi.
- Member of the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association (HSBA), the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA).
- Admitted in Hawaiʻi state courts and in the U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaiʻi since 2002.
- Juris Doctor (cum laude), Tulane University School of Law; Master of Business Administration (MBA) (with honors), Freeman School of Business, Tulane University.
- Practice concentrated on consumer bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13), federal student loan discharge, and debt settlement negotiation.
What My Clients Say
My clients don't just value the results; they appreciate working directly with me and being treated with honesty and respect.
"A Huge Sense of Relief."
"I felt a huge sense of relief after speaking with Martin and I'm hopeful for a better financial future thanks to his help. Highly recommended!"
A. Mattero
"Skilled, Honest, and Trustworthy."
"Martin was so skilled and knowledgeable handling our very complicated and bleak situation. He was honest and trustworthy. We are so grateful for all the time he put in for us!"
H. Grosse
"He Made Me Feel Like Family."
"I was really nervous about filing, but Martin made the whole process comfortable and easy to understand. He was so genuine and made me feel like family. I highly recommend Martin if you're looking for a good lawyer whose response time is quick and who truly cares about you."
C. Stokes
"Provided Me With Security."
"Your professional demeanor and dedication to my case not only provided me with security but truly went above and beyond my expectations."
S. Lorraine
"Fast, and Always in Touch."
"Martin was absolutely amazing in one of the most stressful times in my life. He is very patient and informative, and I felt very comfortable with him. He moved at the speed of lightning, and his communication was top notch, even on weekends. I could not be more grateful for all his help!"
T. Gordon
"I could not have asked for a better attorney."
"He gets everything done just like he says; I could not have asked for a better attorney... Marty is great and I highly recommend him. Plus he has a great personality and he's easy to talk to... Thank you for all your help and for making this experience less stressful than I imagined."
M. Rodriguez
"Worth Every Penny 🤙🏽"
"Marty has made the process of bankruptcy easy... I totally recommend his service he's worth every penny... Thanks Marty you're the Man! 🤙🏽"
J. Bermudez
Every case is different and individual results vary.
Questions About Working With Me
Who will actually handle my case?
I will handle your case myself, from your first phone call to the end of your case.
What kinds of cases do you take?
I concentrate on consumer bankruptcy and federal student loan discharge. That means Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and the federal student loan discharge process through the Department of Justice. I also negotiate debt settlements for people who want to avoid filing bankruptcy. I do not take private student loan cases, and I do not dabble in other areas of law.
How do your fees work?
I work on a flat fee whenever I can, and either way you know how the fee works before you commit. I also offer affordable payment plans, and in most Chapter 13 cases the majority of my fee is paid through the plan.
Can you help me if I live on a neighbor island?
Yes. I represent clients on every island and meet by phone or video, so you do not need to travel to Honolulu to work with me. I lived and practiced on the Big Island for fifteen years, so the neighbor islands are familiar ground for me.
Will I have to come to your office?
No. I meet clients by phone and by video, so you can handle your entire case without traveling. If you would rather meet in person, my office is available by appointment, including evenings and weekends.
How do we get started?
It starts with a free, no-obligation consultation. You can call my office at (808) 468-7000 or fill out the short questionnaire, and we will talk through your debts, your goals, and whether bankruptcy or federal student loan discharge is the right tool. If it is, I will explain how the fee works before you commit.
Take the first step toward your second chance.
Find out whether bankruptcy or federal student loan discharge is right for you, with no obligation.
Serving Every Island
I represent clients across Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and the Big Island. I work wherever and whenever you need, by phone, video, or in person, including evenings and weekends. Wherever you are in Hawaiʻi, we can work together.
Contact the Law Office of Martin Berger
Law Office of Martin Berger
Serving clients across Hawaiʻi.
Phone: (808) 468-7000
Web: www.martinbergerlaw.com
Office (by appointment, including evenings and weekends): Eaton Square, 438 Hobron Lane, Penthouse 1, Honolulu, HI 96815
Mailing address: PO Box 498, Honolulu, HI 96809
We are a debt relief agency. We proudly help people file for bankruptcy under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
This page is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Bankruptcy law is highly fact-specific, so please contact my office for guidance on your situation.
Last updated September 5, 2026. Reviewed for legal accuracy by Martin Berger.