After years of working on the creditor side — first at King & Spalding LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP, then as managing attorney at firms representing banks and financial institutions in foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings — Phillip Mahony switched to representing debtors, bringing with him an inside understanding of exactly how the opposing side builds its cases.
Overview
MahonyLaw PLLC is a Queens, New York bankruptcy and foreclosure defense practice operated by principal attorney Phillip (Phill) Mahony from his office on Steinway Street in Astoria. Mahony was born and raised in Astoria as the son of Irish immigrants, attended New York Law School (graduating with honors, serving as articles editor on law review, and receiving two scholarships), and then built his legal career first on the creditor side before shifting to debtor representation.
That career arc is central to how the firm positions its work. Having spent years structuring cases and arguments on behalf of banks and creditors in foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings, Mahony understands the tactics, pressure points, and documentation patterns that creditors rely on. When he represents debtors, that knowledge of how the other side operates informs his approach.
Since January 1, 2018, the firm has represented 419 bankruptcy clients, helping erase millions of dollars in debt. In 2025, approximately 24% of the firm’s clients spoke only Spanish — a number that reflects both the demographics of Astoria and Queens generally and the firm’s deliberate effort to serve that community through bilingual capability.
The firm is accessible: consultations are free, and Mahony emphasizes prompt responsiveness to calls, texts, and emails.
Practice Areas
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Chapter 7 is the liquidation form of personal bankruptcy, in which non-exempt assets are used to pay creditors and most remaining unsecured debts are discharged. For clients with limited assets and overwhelming debt, Chapter 7 can provide a clean slate relatively quickly. Mahony handles the qualification analysis, petition preparation, and representation through the process.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Chapter 13 allows individuals with regular income to restructure and repay debts over a three-to-five-year plan. It is particularly useful for clients who are behind on mortgage payments and wish to save their home, as Chapter 13 enables repayment of mortgage arrears through the plan. Mahony handles plan development, filing, and representation through confirmation and completion.
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. For clients whose financial situation requires the more complex reorganization framework of Chapter 11, whether individual or business, the firm has experience in this area given Mahony’s prior work in the finance and bankruptcy groups at King & Spalding and Kirkland & Ellis.
Foreclosure Defense. For homeowners facing foreclosure in New York, the firm provides legal defense and loan modification assistance. New York’s judicial foreclosure process involves court proceedings in which lenders must prove their right to foreclose, and Mahony’s background representing lenders gives him a specific understanding of how those cases are built and where they can be challenged.
Loan Modification. As an alternative or complement to bankruptcy, loan modification negotiations with mortgage servicers can sometimes produce adjusted payment terms that allow clients to retain their homes. The firm assists clients in pursuing these modifications.
Attorney Profiles
Phillip (Phill) Mahony is the principal attorney and founder of MahonyLaw PLLC. He earned his J.D. from New York Law School, where he graduated with honors, served as articles editor on the law review, and received two scholarships. After law school, he worked in the finance and bankruptcy practice groups at King & Spalding LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP — two of the most prominent law firms in the United States. He then served as managing attorney at law firms representing banks and creditors in foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings. He subsequently founded MahonyLaw PLLC and shifted his practice to representing debtors. He is a lifelong resident of Astoria, Queens, the son of Irish immigrants, and is admitted to practice in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York (based on hundreds of reported court appearances). He is admitted to the New York bar.
Location and Service Area
21-83 Steinway St, Astoria (Queens), NY 11105. Phone: 917-414-6795. Website: www.mahonylaw.com/
Free consultations are available by calling 917-414-6795. Mahony emphasizes prompt response to calls, texts, and emails.
The firm serves clients in Queens and New York City, with court appearances in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Client Focus
MahonyLaw PLLC serves individuals and families in Queens and New York City who are facing debt they cannot manage, foreclosure on their homes, or both. The client base is largely working-class, reflecting both the Astoria neighborhood context and the economic profile of people who are candidates for personal bankruptcy or foreclosure defense. In 2025, approximately one in four clients spoke only Spanish, reflecting the firm’s active service of New York’s Spanish-speaking community.
The firm’s bilingual capability in English and Spanish, combined with the free consultation and Mahony’s stated emphasis on responsiveness, creates an accessible entry point for clients who may feel intimidated by the legal process or uncertain whether bankruptcy is an option for them.
Mahony’s prior experience on the creditor side is particularly relevant to foreclosure defense clients: he knows how banks document their cases and what legal standards they must meet, which informs the defenses he raises on behalf of homeowners.
Languages: English, Spanish.
FAQ
Why does it matter that the attorney previously worked for banks and creditors?
Mahony spent years as a managing attorney at firms representing banks and creditors in foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings, following his time at King & Spalding and Kirkland & Ellis. When he now represents debtors, he brings a practitioner’s knowledge of how creditors build their cases, what documentation they rely on, and where their positions can be challenged. That background is a direct tactical asset in foreclosure defense particularly.
How many clients has the firm represented in bankruptcy since 2018?
Since January 1, 2018, the firm has represented 419 bankruptcy clients and helped erase millions of dollars in debt, per the firm’s own reporting.
Is the consultation free?
Yes. Free consultations are available by calling 917-414-6795.
Does the firm handle both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Yes, as well as Chapter 11. The appropriate chapter depends on the client’s income, assets, debt profile, and goals — particularly whether they are trying to save a home or discharge unsecured debt as quickly as possible.
Can the firm assist Spanish-speaking clients?
Yes. Approximately 24% of the firm’s clients in 2025 spoke only Spanish, reflecting an established bilingual practice. Services are available in English and Spanish.
Closing
A lifelong Astoria attorney who crossed from the creditor side to the debtor side carries a professional perspective that most bankruptcy attorneys simply do not have — and that experience, combined with deep community roots on Steinway Street, defines what MahonyLaw PLLC brings to clients in financial distress.