Practicing bankruptcy law used to be simple – grab a petition preparation software package, load it up onto the computer, and fill in the blanks. At least, that’s what I used to think when I started my practice. But with the 2005 changes to the bankruptcy laws and the attendant upheaval in the statute, the day-to-day practice of consumer bankruptcy law has become more difficult than ever.
To guide you, I am setting out the most critical tools you will need to make sure you know what you’re doing in this field.
Join NACBA: The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys is the largest national organization catering solely to the needs of the consumer bankruptcy lawyer. With well over 3,000 active members, this is the best place to begin your quest for knowledge.
Sign Up For The NACBA Listservs: These high-traffic email discussion lists are chock full of useful information, as well as hundreds of well-seasoned consumer bankruptcy lawyers who are always ready to answer your questions.
Buy – and Read – Consumer Bankruptcy Law And Practice: Published by the National Consumer Law Center, this is the bible of consumer bankruptcy law. It covers everything you’ll ever need to know about handling Chapter 7, 12 and 13 cases.
Read A Bunch Of Bankruptcy Blogs: Other practitioners are the best source of intelligence and insight into what’s happening now in the world of consumer bankruptcy law. I’m partial to Bankruptcy Law Network, but I’m just (slightly) biased.
With these four resources by your side, you’ll be on your way to practicing bankruptcy law more effectively than you ever thought possible.
Photo courtesy of A boy & his prime.
