ATTENDING MY FIRST NACBA CONVENTION
bankruptcy lectures, interspersed with
meeting more and more bankruptcy
practitioners. Saturday capped off with
a featured lecture by Billy Corben about
his documentary, “Broke (ESPN 30 for
30).” Corben covered the grim subject
of athlete insolvency in an engaging
and entertaining way.
On Sunday, the convention wound
to a close as vendors disassembled
their booths. The closing plenary, “25
Years of Raising Hell, the Education,
Advocacy & Litigation That Shaped
NACBA,” was a treat. Veteran NACBA
leaders gathered on stage and
swapped stories of NACBA’s origins. It
was a great insight into how a “band” of
determined lawyers could enact large
scale and systemic change.
The NACBA convention was everything
I had hoped it would be and more. I
have already put many of the insights
I gained into my bankruptcy practice,
and I am still in contact with several of
the new friends I made. I know that my
time at the conference will be a great
benefit to my work, and I am so grateful
I had the opportunity to attend.
I am thankful for the fact that NACBA
has stepped up to support legal
services by creating this scholarship.
Now more than ever, support for legal
aid is crucial. The important work we
do helps keep the system functioning
for everyone by cutting down on the
number of unrepresented parties and
by breaking down barriers to accessing
justice.
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Summer 2017
Furthermore, the relationship between
the private consumer bankruptcy bar
and legal aid attorneys is crucial. The
consumer bankruptcy bar has long
been a vital source of knowledge,
mentorship, and pro bono assistance
to legal services, in addition to being
a crucial referral destination. Working
together, we can ensure no one is left
out of the promise of a “fresh start.” I
look forward attending my next NACBA
convention.
CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY JOURNAL
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