Can I Have Those Words Back, Please?

April 21, 2012

I just had to share these words of wisdom from

There are so many times in our careers when our mouths start moving before our brains engage. As Cathy says, “…take a deep breath, with your mouth closed, and then ask for time.”

Can I Have Those Words Back, Please?

It was one of those occasions when in retrospect, you’re certain there is no neural path between your brain and your mouth.

And it happened in public, in a courtroom, with my client present.

My creditor client filed an objection to confirmation of a Chapter 13 in pro per.  Opposing counsel filed a response.  The response tracked each of the wordy and ill focused complaints my client had voiced.

In preparation for the hearing, I had formulated our objections in my head, tracking the code and those issues I thought essential to Chapter 13 confirmation.

At the prehearing, the judge turned to me and asked me which of the numbered paragraphs in the eight page debtor’s response were still in play.

Certainly before thinking, I blurted out “You expect me to speak to their pleading?” (more…)

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It’s almost official … adding J.S.M. to my signature block

April 10, 2012

In late 2010, I decided it was time to go back to school. I applied to the Master of Paralegal Studies program at George Washington University and was summarily rejected … All things happen for a reason, right? With the help of my dear friend and business partner, Michael Misenheimer, I found a relatively new program at Thomas Jefferson School of Law – a Master of Science of Law. It is basically an LL.M. program for non-attorneys. In fact, about 80% of my classmates are attorneys …

I started classes on January 10, 2011 – not one to do anything the easy way, I opted for a double concentration in Bankruptcy & Restructuring AND E-commerce – 3 consecutive 10-week quarters/12 hours of credit (plus a non-credit Legal Research & Writing Class that was stretched out over the first 2 quarters). Okay, yes, I took time off – my brain was just a bit strained after the 3rd quarter – but I was back again in January 2012 for my thesis seminar.

Well, it’s almost official – just wrapping up my thesis for submission and commencement in May! My cap & gown and announcements just arrived! (click image to enlarge) (more…)

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