Bret R. Rossi, Senior Counsel

An AV Preeminent rated attorney, Bret has more than 38 years of experience in a variety of areas, including Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) which encompasses mediation, arbitration, and pre-trial settlements. As a trial lawyer for most of his career, Bret also has significant expertise in business litigation, bankruptcy, commercial collection, real property, construction defect, and American Disability Act (ADA) disputes. Bret served for a number of years as a pro tem settlement conference judge, working diligently to help resolve more than 90 percent of the cases he was assigned.  While a litigator, more than 97 percent of his cases were successfully resolved without resorting to trial. When trial was required and a judgment obtained, Bret also had the expertise to locate assets and recover funds for his clients.

Legal Experience

Bret’s other areas of experience include both creditors’ and debtors’ rights and bankruptcy, representing clients in a wide range of matters, including contract disputes, partnership, corporate, real estate and construction disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation in both state and federal courts.

Bret is one of only 6 Sacramento attorneys that are currently certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Bankruptcy Law. He has served as lead trial attorney in numerous court and jury trials in state and federal court. In addition to representing both creditors and debtors in bankruptcy matters, he also assisted businesses and individuals doing their Commercial Collections and Business Litigation. Bret assists a variety of both large and small businesses in the collection of their commercial accounts. He also assisted numerous clients in a wide variety of litigation matters.

Prior to joining Kronick, Bret practiced law in Sacramento since 1984, with a clientele ranging from individuals, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to privately held and public corporations. Some of his clients have included Bank of the West, the Kohler Company, The Pape Group of companies, Industrial Finishes & Systems, Inc., GCR Truck Tire Center, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as well a number of individuals and small businesses.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated Attorney
  • Best Lawyers® 2024 Litigation – Bankruptcy “Lawyer of the Year” in Sacramento
  • Best Lawyers® 2021 Litigation – Bankruptcy “Lawyer of the Year” in Sacramento
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy (2018-2024)
  • Northern California Super Lawyer (2010-2012, 2019-2023)
  • Top Lawyers, Sacramento Magazine (2016-2023)
  • Recipient, Joe Ramsey Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service, Voluntary Dispute Resolution Program (VDRP), 2022
  • Member, California Lawyers Association, ADR Section
  • Member, Sacramento County Bar Association, ADR section
  • Member, American Arbitration Association
  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member, Sacramento Valley Bankruptcy Forum
  • California State Bar #114569

Volunteer Experience

  • California State Bar Association Fee Arbitration Panel
  • Sacramento County Bar Association Fee Arbitration Panel
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of California VDRP Panel – ADA Mediations
  • Judge Pro Tem, Sacramento County Superior Court
  • Judge Pro Tem, Carol Miller Justice Center

Admitted to Practice

  • All California State Courts
  • United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit.
  • United States District Courts, Eastern, Northern, and Central Districts of California

Academic Background

Mediation Executive Training – 40 Hours, McGeorge School of Law, 2010

J.D. with Distinction, Order of the Coif, McGeorge School of Law, 1984

B.A. University of California, Berkeley, 1981