Distinguished Law Students Program
Last year was my first year serving as Chair of the Distinguished Law Student Award Committee. Trish Redmond served in this role for many years and her shoes are tough to fill. My job was made much easier thanks to the very dedicated Committee members from the various Circuits. We also had a wonderful roster of candidates from the Circuits involved in the 2019-20 award year, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Committee members and the professors and judges that nominated many very worthy and deserving candidates.
While the selection process was rigorous and very competitive, it resulted in the awards being given to a group of extremely talented and hardworking law students who have all demonstrated the qualities that the College stands for including dedication to the practice of bankruptcy law and concern for those less fortunate than we. While we were unable to celebrate with them as we normally do at our annual induction meeting, most of them attended our last virtual meeting. I would like to introduce them in this article and I think you will agree this group of young lawyers have demonstrated a passion and dedication to both bankruptcy law and community service.
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Claudia Springer, Reed Smith LLP
Chair of the Distinguished Law Student Award Committee
Brittani Bushman (2nd Circuit)
Brittani is a superstar. She is currently in her final year of law school at Albany Law School. Aside from being a spectacular student and completing a full year externship at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for
the District of Utah in the summer of 2019, Brittani has participated in numerous pro bono projects including a pro bono bankruptcy clinic serving low income persons. Even prior to law school, she served as a personal financial counselor and housing educator at the AAA Fair Credit Foundation. Brittani authored an article
entitled Credit Reporting System is the New Abuser: A Look at Financial Abuse and the Role Bankruptcy Has on a Domestic Violence Victim’s Financial Freedom. She worked at the U.S. Trustee’s office in Albany. She also externed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah in the Spring and Summer of 2019. Brittani received numerous accolades from U.S. Bankruptcy Judges Kevin Anderson, William Thurman and Joel Marker as well as her bankruptcy professor Paula Barbaruolo, all of whom credited her for her hard work and commitment to the practice of bankruptcy law. A fun fact about Brittani is that when she was young, she dreamed of being a cashier. I think Brittani ultimately realized that being a lawyer was her real calling.