Bankruptcy Training for Pro Bono Attorneys - 2-Part Series

Topics:
  • Bankruptcy

For working people who live paycheck to paycheck, a prolonged illness or a layoff can mean financial disaster, despite the most careful budgeting. Between 2006 and 2012, 75% more personal bankruptcy petitions were filed in the District of Columbia, a significant portion of which are filed pro se.

Two main types of relief are available to individual debtors under the federal Bankruptcy Code: (1) Chapter 7, where the debtor's nonexempt assets are sold to pay creditors while most of the debtor's debts are discharged; and (2) Chapter 13, where the debtor prepares a plan to pay off creditors. This course is designed to prepare attorney volunteers to provide much needed legal representation to Chapter 7 debtors through the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program Bankruptcy Clinic.

The Bankruptcy training will cover: Client Interview Procedures; Case Screening and Evaluation; Pre-Bankruptcy Remedies; Overview of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code; Automatic Stay; Completion of Schedules; Exemptions; Discharge Provisions and Conflicts of Interest.

PLEASE NOTE: This two-day training session is appropriate for attorneys and attorney/paralegal teams (paralegals must attend with an attorney). Training participants must agree to accept two pro bono referrals from the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program Bankruptcy Clinic.

No particular expertise is required to participate, but participants must attend BOTH sessions. Volunteers from firms that represent major banks, credit card companies, and other common creditors should contact the Pro Bono Program for more information before registering for this training. Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the highest court of any state and must be willing to file a certificate stating that the attorney is providing representation without compensation. Malpractice insurance is provided by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program to attorneys who volunteer with the Bankruptcy Clinic. Pro Bono Program training sessions are NOT MCLE accredited.

This two-day training session is $25.00 for attorneys; $15.00 for paralegals. To register, please click here.

All cancellation and refund requests for pro bono trainings conducted by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program must be received in writing seven (7) days before the training session date.

* Breakfast and lunch will NOT be served at either session. Refreshments will be provided by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program.

The Bankruptcy Training is presented by the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation, the American College of Bankruptcy, and the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program Bankruptcy Clinic; with support from the Catholic Charities Legal Network of the Archdiocese of Washington, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, and the D.C. Bar Antitrust & Consumer Law Section, Corporation, Finance & Securities Section, and Litigation Section.