(Yep, there are lots of them right now!!)

Jennifer K. Cruseturner currently serves as a Chapter 13 Standing Trustee in the Western District of Tennessee, Western Division. After an extended retirement process for George Stevenson (he never could do anything in ‘normal’ fashion!), Jennifer was appointed as Stevenson’s successor on May 1, 2023.  

Jennifer graduated from Newcomb College of Tulane University in 2004 and earned her JD from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2009.

She started her legal career in south Louisiana as an Assistant Indigent Defender in the 22nd Judicial District working with juveniles. This position involved a significant amount of time in a courtroom. In 2012, she and her husband of, now,14 years decided to move to Colorado. In a turn of events she couldn’t have foreseen,once in Colorado she couldn’t find a position with a public defender’s office. This is where bankruptcy entered her life. She went to work at a law firm that handled, among other things, bankruptcy work for creditors. 

“Bankruptcy found me, as I never thought I’d end up in this field, although I’m very happy I landed here.  Because of my experience in a courtroom, the firm handed me the bankruptcy case load. I realized how interesting the work was and decided to stick with it,” stated Jennifer when asked about how she got into bankruptcy work. 

Immediately prior to her appointment as Trustee, Jennifer worked for five years as Staff Attorney for Adam M. Goodman, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming.  

When asked about hobbies, Jennifer had this to say: “Having spent the last 11 years in Colorado, I love to hike in the summer and ski in the winter and I practice yoga all year long. I love cooking, wine, modern art and travel. I’m looking forward to exploring the wilds of Tennessee…and also looking forward to sampling as much Memphis BBQ as possible!” 

Speaking of wine, Jennifer has a Level I (read: VERY basic/junior) sommelier certificate and hopes to advance those studies in the next few years. Among her other interests, her favorite genre of books and movies is Dystopian fiction with Margaret Atwood (A Handmaid’s Tale) being one of her favorite writers. Her favorite book is The Year of the Flood in the Maddaddam trilogy – check it out. 

Jennifer and her husband Grant are ‘dog’ people although they do not currently have a fur baby (having lost their precious lab Tahoe prior to their big move to Tennessee). Now that they are settled in Memphis, they look forward to adopting a dog . . . or two. 

The NACTT connected Jennifer with Beverly Burden, Chapter 13 Trustee in the Eastern District of Kentucky as her mentor. Jennifer stated: “She has been an excellent resource and has been so patient in answering all my questions on everything from payroll to budgeting to claim objections and beyond. I am also extremely fortunate to count Adam Goodman as a friend and mentor. Throughout my years working for him, he was very generous with his time and knowledge. During the application process for the trusteeship and through my appointment, he was supportive and encouraging. He has taught me more about bankruptcy than any other individual and still continues to support me in my current role. I hope one day I’ll be able to give back to other trustees a fraction of the help I’ve received from Adam and Beverly!”

Using lessons learned by being an employee, Jennifer feels the best way to set each of her staff members up for success is to make sure they know they are appreciated and that their work is important. “I want people to understand the ‘why’ behind the task they are assigned and to know how their efforts fit in with the efforts of those around them. I don’t want people to be afraid to speak up or to ask for help,” remarked Jennifer regarding her management style. 

When asked what her philosophy is regarding her role as a Chapter 13 Trustee, Jennifer thoughtfully stated: “Chapter 13 provides a very specific kind of relief and I always like to say it is not the solution to every problem. It will not solve the problems of constantly and thoughtlessly living beyond one’s means, and it will not create extra cash out of thin air. However, it will provide breathing room to achieve and maintain a comfortable standard of living for those that take the time to understand the process and adjust their behavior when needed.

“I’m not afraid to be the voice of reason, the pragmatic one, I don’t mind being the one who says the thing you don’t want to hear. But I also will fight fiercely for those who are postured for success to give them every possible opportunity to make their case work. “I am honored to serve as a trustee for individuals experiencing financial distress and I want to see those that I serve succeed in navigating the Chapter 13 system.”

Academy Circle Logo Final
Consumer Bankruptcy Education

The NACTT Academy offers a comprehensive community for bankruptcy professionals seeking to advance their education in consumer bankruptcy.

Related Articles

July 5, 2020
By Anthony J. Gomez, CPA, former extern to the Honorable John P. Gustafson, Northern District of Ohio at Toledo V. The Good Faith Requirement The hanging paragraph was enacted to protect creditors. It accomplishes this by prohibiting the bifurcation of certain secured debts that were acquired shortly before the time of filing. Despite a Chapter 13 debtor’s inability to bifurcate...
Members
Hayes Jury
July 7, 2024
Bailey v. Glover 1874 - When the trustee is required to bring an action to avoid a fraudulent conveyance within two years of the bankruptcy filing, does the active concealment of the transfer by the debtor and the transferees toll the running of the two-year statute of limitations to bring the action?
Members
September 25, 2022
Just prior to a confirmation docket in September of 2006, a local creditor attorney asked me if I would be interested in coming to work at his firm. The chapter 13 trustee was in the room and could not help but overhear. After the docket that trustee asked me if I was looking for a job. I wasn’t . ....
February 28, 2021
By Cathy Moran, Esq. (Redwood City, CA) When BAPCA gutted the ipso facto clause, reaffirmation was left as the only way a debtor could be assured of retaining his wheels. Car lenders took sides back then, then changed sides, on whether they would automatically repossess a vehicle when the debt was not reaffirmed. Some wanted the in terrorem effect of...
Members
October 24, 2021
By Henry E. Hildebrand, III, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee (Nashville, TN) Chapter 13 debtor cannot submit missed payments to the trustee after the 60-month term of the plan has ended in an effort to cure defaults in the plan. (Bacharach) Kinney v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A., 5 F.4th 1136 (10th Cir. July 23, 2021) Case Summary Margaret Kinney filed a...
Members
moran_cathy
December 19, 2021
Bankruptcy lawyers regularly evaluate the dischargeability of taxes when deciding when to file a client’s bankruptcy case. At base, the 3 year rule, the 2 year rule, and the 240 day rule routinely drive timing of a bankruptcy. But as we approach the end of the tax year, a client’s current year tax situation becomes another moving part in the...
Members
February 3, 2019
As people prepare to file their taxes, there are things to consider. They will want to determine if they need to file and the best way to do so. For tax year 2018, all individual taxpayers will file using the new Form 1040. Forms 1040A and 1040EZ are no longer available. Taxpayers who previously filed these forms will now file...
April 18, 2021
Bankruptcy Courts Grapple with the “COVID-19 Discharge” APPENDIX A 11 U.S.C. § 1328 Discharge (Text added by CAA, effective: December 27, 2020 and subject to one-year sunset, appears in italics.) (Mandatory and precatory directions to the court, critical to the statutory analysis in In re Ritter, appears in bold.) (a) Subject to subsection (d), as soon as practicable after completion...
Members
January 12, 2020
By Herbert L. Beskin, Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Virginia (Charlottesville) The Seventh Circuit thought that it had finished dealing with the intersection of cars, fines, Chapter 13, and the City of Chicago when it rendered its decision earlier in 2019 in “Steenes I.” In re Steenes, 918 F.3d 554 . Alas, it was not to be,...
Members
October 11, 2020
By James J. Robinson, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge, Northern District of Alabama What are the statutory duties of the standing chapter 13 trustee? Bankruptcy Code §§ 1302 and 704 provide the statutory framework for the trustee’s duties, and provide as follows: 11 U.S.C. § 1302. Trustee (a) If the United States trustee appoints an individual under section 586(b) of...
Members

Looking to Become a Member?

ConsiderChapter13.org offers a forum to advance continuing education of consumer bankruptcy via access to insightful articles, informative webinars, and the latest industry news. Join now to benefit from expert resources and stay informed.

Webinars

These informative sessions are led by industry experts and cover a range of consumer bankruptcy topics.

Member Articles

Written by industry experts, these articles provide in-depth analysis and practical guidance on consumer bankruptcy topics.

Industry News

The Academy is the go-to source for the latest news and analysis in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy industry.

To get started, please let us know which of these best fits your current position: