Bankruptcy Project with Bankruptcy Law Section, State Bar of Texas

Students will assist Bankruptcy Section pro bono attorneys in preparing Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions for low-income debtors. Students will assist in client interviews and trustee meetings, help collect necessary financial information, and draft bankruptcy petitions. Students also may have the opportunity to accompany pro bono attorneys to court appearances.

Organization

Bankruptcy Law Section, State Bar of Texas

The Bankruptcy Law Section provides an opportunity for all practitioners of bankruptcy law licensed in Texas to meet and exchange information and ideas on a regular basis, including practitioners in both the consumer and business bankruptcy arenas, and those who represent creditors and debtors. The Section also provides an opportunity for lawyers newly practicing bankruptcy law to attain skills, experience, and relationships that will assist them to enhance the practice of bankruptcy law in the State of Texas. The Bankruptcy Project is being conducted in partnership with the Richard and Ginni Mithoff Pro Bono Program, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, and Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas.

Project Details

Project Start Date

September 2018

Approximate hours of work requested
Students should expect to spend between 20-40 hours total on the bankruptcy process, spanning between 2-8 months, depending on the case; after training, students will be assigned to cases on a rolling bases as referrals are received
Training
Friday, September 14, 1pm-3pm, in TNH 2.123
Skills used
Client interviewing/intake; litigation preparation; document preparation; courtroom exposure
Project location
Students will work off-site at location of their choice and/or at pro bono attorney’s office
Number of student volunteers requested
10
Class year preference
1L, 2L, 3L, LLM
Required skills
Students who have taken secured transactions or bankruptcy, or who have other bankruptcy experience, are preferred
To Apply
Submit email stating interest and any course or professional experience related to bankruptcy to Sarah Sedgwick at ssedgwick@law.utexas.edu; applications received by 3pm on Friday, September 7 will receive priority consideration