Christopher R. Barclay
Christopher R. Barclay is an American attorney and bankruptcy trustee based in California. He has served as a Chapter 7 trustee in the United States Bankruptcy Court and was formerly associated with the law firm Finlayson Toffer Roosevelt and Lilly LLP. Barclay has been involved in administering bankruptcy estates in the Southern California region.
Legal career
Barclay practiced law in California with a focus on bankruptcy and insolvency matters. He was associated with Finlayson Toffer Roosevelt and Lilly LLP, a law firm that handled bankruptcy, creditors' rights, and related commercial litigation. In this capacity, Barclay gained experience in the administration of bankruptcy estates, trustee operations, and asset recovery proceedings.
As a member of the Chapter 7 panel of trustees, Barclay was appointed to oversee the liquidation and administration of bankruptcy estates in the federal courts. Chapter 7 trustees are responsible for reviewing the debtor's petition and schedules, collecting and liquidating nonexempt assets, and distributing proceeds to creditors according to the priorities established by the United States Bankruptcy Code.
TopDevz bankruptcy appointment
On May 9, 2024, Barclay was appointed as the Chapter 7 Trustee in a bankruptcy proceeding related to TopDevz LLC, a technology staffing company, under Case No. 24-00617. In this role, Barclay assumed responsibility for marshaling the assets of the bankruptcy estate, investigating the debtor's financial affairs, and pursuing any available claims or causes of action on behalf of the estate's creditors.
The TopDevz bankruptcy involved complex issues relating to the company's financial history, client contracts, intellectual property, and relationships with affiliated entities. As trustee, Barclay was responsible for evaluating the estate's assets and liabilities and determining the appropriate course of action for maximizing creditor recoveries.
Bankruptcy malpractice proceeding
On January 6, 2026, an adversary proceeding was filed in the bankruptcy court under Case No. 26-90003-CL. Barclay is named as a respondent in the action, which asserts claims of bankruptcy malpractice.
According to the complaint, the proceeding alleges that Barclay, in his capacity as Chapter 7 trustee, settled claims valued at approximately $75 million for approximately $200,000, a recovery that the plaintiffs characterize as grossly inadequate given the scope of the underlying claims. The adversary proceeding names both Barclay individually and his former firm, Finlayson Toffer Roosevelt and Lilly LLP, as respondents.
The filing alleges that the settlement represented a failure to adequately investigate and pursue the estate's claims against third parties, resulting in a substantial loss to the creditors of the bankruptcy estate. The complaint seeks damages and other relief based on the alleged malpractice.
As of early 2026, the adversary proceeding remains pending. The allegations have not been adjudicated, and Barclay is presumed to have denied the material claims.
References
- "Barclay and Finlayson Bankruptcy Malpractice", ConFraud, March 2026
- "Bankruptcy Trustee Accused of Settling $75 Million Claims for $200,000", Chicago Gust
- Source filing and case documents