Unmanageable student debt is a growing social problem in
the commonwealth. For many low-income borrowers, student debt prevents
them from taking care of themselves and their families. The
Bankruptcy Code, in turn, provides for the discharge of student debt – but only
upon a showing of “undue hardship” on the student borrower and his/her
dependents.
Recognizing that the student borrowers most likely to be eligible for an
“undue hardship” discharge in bankruptcy will not have the resources to hire a
trial lawyer, the Massachusetts Bar Association has established a panel of pro
bono attorneys and law firms willing to represent student borrowers in adversary
proceedings seeking to discharge student debt in their bankruptcy cases.
On Oct. 23, the MBA will provide training and mentoring for volunteer lawyers
willing to represent student borrowers on a pro bono basis. Attendees will
receive a comprehensive training manual, developed by the National Consumer Law
Center, for representing debtors in student loan discharge cases
Faculty:
Francis C. Morrissey, Esq., Program Co-chair
Morrissey, Wilson & Zafiropoulos LLP, Braintree
Michael Fencer, Esq., Program Co-chair
Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston
Kerime S. Akoglu, Esq., Panelist
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., New York
Mark Polebaum, Esq., Panelist
Office of the Attorney General, Boston
John Rao, Esq., Panelist
National Consumer Law Center, Boston
Michael K. Sugar, Esq., Panelist
Office of the Attorney General, Boston