The saying often goes “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” but in the legal profession, an attorney’s knowledge and network are both extremely important. In
March of 2018 during my final semester of law school, Professors Dean Pawlowic and Sally Henry nominated me to receive the American College of Bankruptcy Distinguished Law Student for the Fifth Circuit Award. To my delight, the College’s Distinguished Law Student Committee selected me out of the nominations to receive this award. The award included a paid trip to the College’s annual conference and induction ceremony in Washington, D.C. I felt excited to accept the award and meet judges and attorneys from across the nation. Little did I know that weekend would change my life.
Upon arrival, I went to dinner with the recipients from the other circuits and some of the College fellows. Jan Hayden, partner at Baker Donaldson, served as the College’s student escort for the Fifth Circuit, and she made sure I felt welcome by introducing me to everyone she knew. At the time, I knew I was interested in practicing bankruptcy law and had recently accepted a judicial clerkship for the Honorable Ronald B. King, Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Texas. Everyone I came across that weekend raved about Judge King (which is no surprise now that I know what an exceptional jurist he is). The positive words spoken by the College fellows that weekend encouraged me. While I was happy about my clerkship decision, I had a lot of uncertainties about picking up and moving to San Antonio, a city hundreds of miles from my friends and family. My conversations with the College fellows left me feeling confident in my decisions to accept the clerkship and commit to the practice of bankruptcy law.
The conference was filled with exceptional CLE panels and networking events, but one evening in particular will always stand out to me. Following the induction of the new College fellows, the circuits split off for an eloquent dinner. When I arrived at the Fifth Circuit dinner, I took a seat next to a man I had not met yet. I introduced myself and we began to chat, which is when I learned his name is Charlie Beckham and he is a partner at Haynes and Boone. He also introduced me to his lovely wife, Jennie, and longtime friend, Becky Roof, a Managing Director at AlixPartners. We all drank red wine, laughed, and had a great time talking about the practice, our families and our interests.
David Shemano, Shemano Law
Jordan Chavez
Distinguished Law Students:
Where are they now?
We asked some former Distinguished Law Students to write about their experience and the benefits of being honored by the College. Two recent recipients contributed articles – both are pursuing a career in bankruptcy law following clerkships with bankruptcy judges.
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