From the Chair continued from page 3
Now , I ’ m taking you to Cedar Rapids , Iowa and the story of Eric Lam :
“ The Clinical Professor at law school recommended that I seek a judicial clerkship for the summer of 1981 after my second year in law school . She said it was late in the process and the only vacant position was with the Bankruptcy Court . I had not taken a bankruptcy class and I did not know how to spell the word ‘ Bankruptcy .’ In any event , I presented myself at the Chambers of Judge William W . Thinnes of the Northern District of Iowa ( he was President of NCBJ at the time ). He was extremely gracious , helpful , and kind , and hired me for the summer . West had just begun the Bankruptcy Reporter and Volume 7 came out in the summer of 1981 . After graduation and clerking for the Iowa Supreme Court , I returned to work as a law clerk for Judge Thinnes . While clerking for Judge Thinnes , through pure fortuity , a local meat packing plant filed Chapter 11 . I was blessed with the opportunity to witness knowledgeable practitioners , like Ron Peterson , come to town to showcase their talent and work . From there , I have practiced bankruptcy law ever since .”
I also want to take you to the story of Jim Lodoen in Minneapolis .
“ I grew up on a ranch in North Dakota . I graduated from North Dakota State University with an agricultural economics and animal science degree in 1982 . I intended to be a rancher and a farmer . As I wrapped up my degree in 1982 , it was the beginning of the farm crisis so I decided I should go to law school and bide my time until things improved on the ranch . In law school I took a bankruptcy class and did role playing as a debtor ’ s counsel in a farm case . I felt I was finally able to put my animal science degree to work . My third year I interviewed with Judge Hill , the bankruptcy judge in North Dakota . He offered me the job as law clerk . Judge Hill was handling mostly farm cases and he thought my agricultural background would help . It was a busy two years as the absolute priority rule took hold , land values dropped a percent a month , and we needed to figure out 1111 ( b ). Ahlers provided hope until the Supreme Court reversed the Eighth Circuit , and finally Chapter 12 arrived . After my clerkship I decided not to return to the farm and I interviewed with firms in Kansas City and Minneapolis . They wanted me to do farm creditor work . I said no---I did not want to be adverse to farmers and I wanted a debtor practice . I found one in Lindquist & Vennum .”
And finally , I ’ m taking you down to Birmingham , Alabama and the story of Richard Carmody who has served the College in many roles and now facilitates the collection of these remarkable stories .
“ I decided to go to law school after eight years in the Army Field Artillery . During my second year in law school , I landed a summer clerkship with Akerman in Orlando in 1974 . It was the height of the Arab Oil Embargo . Disney World had opened two years before and Akerman represented the Disney land company which held the ground lease on all the adjacent hotels . About one hotel per month was filing for bankruptcy when I arrived . From that summer I noticed that most traditional law firms at the time did not have experienced bankruptcy lawyers . I saw bankruptcy law as a way I could be my own boss sooner . I became the first lawyer at a traditional Birmingham firm appearing in bankruptcy court .”
Each of our senior fellows who have contributed stories had a unique path to
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