Bankruptcy and the Paralegal's Roles

Name:     Angela Glenn of Atlanta, GA
Title:     Trustee administrator for a Chapter 7 and 11 trustee
Sample responsibility:     Preparing the agenda for a § 341 meeting

"Every day is different," says Angela Glenn of her position at Macey, Wilensky, Cohen, Wittner & Kessler, L.L.P., where she has ten years of experience - first as a traditional bankruptcy paralegal and, since 1995, as administrator for a trustee. She was recruited for her present position when her supervising attorney was appointed as a bankruptcy trustee by the U.S. Trustee for the Northern District of Georgia. He also conducts a bankruptcy practice, assisted by five other paralegals.

Glenn's duties include preparing semi-annual reports to the U.S. Trustee, working with approved banks to account for deposited funds, and drafting demand letters to cause attorneys to file required petitions and plans. Due to her expertise, she often receives associate-level assignments. She uses databases and other research sources to search for suspected hidden assets. Glenn's journalism degree stands her in good stead in noting a filing's peculiarities or discrepancies and investigating them. She also holds a paralegal certificate from the National Center for Paralegal Training in Atlanta.

In bankruptcy-speak, a calendar is made up of matters to come before a single § 341 meeting. Glenn manages 30 to 45 cases per calendar. Each demands strict accounting. Glenn, her supervising attorney, and their secretary work within a strict system of checks and balances designed to prevent impropriety. The attorney prefers to keep a manual record of funds, while Glenn and her secretary each use a computer. For the semi-annual report, the records of all three must agree to the penny.

Glenn, a member of the Georgia Association of Paralegals, is a federal legislative coordinator for NFPA's Legislative Committee.

Name:     Denise B. Saucier of Claremont, NH
Title:     Paralegal for a three-attorney firm
Sample responsibility:     Intake interviews

Denise Saucier received her primary bankruptcy training in the Law Offices of Wm. Howard Dunn, which handled all chapters. When she went to the firm of Leahy & Denault in 1994, she found that firm did very little bankruptcy. Saucier persuaded her new employers to purchase the bankruptcy software she had previously used and helped the firm develop a sizeable Chapter 7 practice.

Six years later, Saucier has helped guide a large number of debtors through the bankruptcy process. "We process a lot of very personal information," says Saucier. She admits she is "rather protective" of the firm's bankruptcy clients. "We sort of bond," she explains. "Around town, I still wave and speak to bankruptcy clients from years ago." Saucier recognizes that often bankruptcy clients are a little down on themselves. "They appreciate being treated with the respect I give them, respect I think they deserve."

When someone calls the firm to inquire about filing bankruptcy, that call is directed to Saucier. She reviews the process and time line. She explains that once the person decides to retain the firm, she will immediately begin to handle all calls from creditors. "Often the client has had to deal with tough collection agents or even court action," says Saucier. "When I tell them I'll handle those calls, sometimes I can actually hear the relief in the person's voice."

Saucier records details and arranges an appointment for the client with her supervising attorney. After the client's initial meeting with the attorney, until he or she is ready to execute the petition for filing, the client deals only with Saucier, who assembles the data the client provides. Once the petition is in final form, the client meets again with the attorney.

Each of the four paralegals at Leahy & Denault has her area of specialty and cross-trains to cover emergencies. Saucier works in other practice areas but finds particular satisfaction in her role in the firm's bankruptcy practice. "I would never work without attorney supervision," she says, "but the client senses my confidence and in turn feels confident using this firm."

Saucier is a long-time member of the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire and has served on its scholarship committee and newsletter. She is a graduate of the paralegal studies program at the University of New Hampshire.