About
Steven S. Altman is an accomplished California attorney with nearly five decades of experience in bankruptcy law, debtor/creditor rights, and business litigation. Based in Modesto, he represents clients with professionalism and integrity, earning recognition for his ability to handle complex bankruptcy proceedings and represent trustees and creditor committees in challenging cases. His long-standing service reflects a deep commitment to justice and community.
A proud graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, Steven earned his Juris Doctor in 1974 after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1970. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1975. Early in his career, he served as a Certified Law Clerk for the San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance Foundation, focusing on landlord/tenant, administrative, and debtor-creditor proceedings—experience that formed the foundation of his enduring expertise.
Throughout his extensive legal career, Steven has worked in both solo and partnership capacities, including at Altman & Carr and Altman & Collins, with a focus on bankruptcy and consumer litigation. His notable cases include In re Gose (BAP 9th Cir. 2004) and Achterberg v. Trade Associates, Inc. (2017), both of which resulted in significant victories for his clients. He has also lectured for the Stanislaus County Bar Association’s MCLE programs and contributed to legal publications.
Beyond his litigation success, Steve S. Altman has served on several professional and community committees, including the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Liaison Committee and the Modesto School Bond Advisory Committee. His leadership, integrity, and decades of service have solidified his reputation as one of Modesto’s most respected bankruptcy attorneys.
Law Office Affiliations
- Attorney, Borton Petrini LLP
- Member, Stanislaus County Bar Association
- Member, California Bar Association
- Member, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Liaison Committee
- Member, Modesto Bankruptcy Court Liaison Committee
- Member, Bankruptcy Court’s Dispute Resolution Panel
- Member, Local Rotary Community Service Organization
- Former Chairperson, Modesto School Bond Advisory Committee
- Former Judge Pro Tem, Stanislaus County Superior Court (Traffic and Small Claims Divisions)
Licensed State
- California
Education
- University of San Francisco
Juris Doctor (JD) - University of California
BA in Sociology
Awards & Badges


- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Credit Repair
- Creditor Debtor Rights
- Debt Collection
- Debt Settlement
- Administrative Law
- Business Litigation
- Landlord Or Tenant