Before I was accepted into law school, I worked in my father’s law office that dealt primarily with clients who needed to file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Through that internship, I grew a better understanding of bankruptcy, as it was associated with a negative connotation in my mind. I quickly learned the impression I had was flawed. Filing bankruptcy, for many clients, is the first step towards peace of mind. I cannot count how many times I observed clients let out a sigh of relief the minute they heard their attorney say, “I will get this [bankruptcy petition] filed right away.” Moments like those reminded me why I wanted to go to law school; being able to provide for myself by making a living as an attorney has always been a goal, but helping make people’s lives easier is what has kept me encouraged during my journey to becoming an attorney.

Throughout my first year of law school, I attended several sessions in which an advisor discussed the typical law intern hiring process. I knew before I applied to different intern positions that I wanted to work in a law office that provided bankruptcy services. As a second-generation law student, I have been blessed with resources most students do not have access to, thanks to my father. I began applying for a position in January of 2024. While searching and applying I informed my father of my worries of finding a summer internship. Knowing that I wanted to work in a bankruptcy law office, he introduced me to Cheryl James, a staff attorney for the Chapter 13 Trustee, Beverly Burden (Eastern District of Kentucky). Of course my father encouraged me to contact Ms. James so that I could inquire about possibly interning for Mrs. Burden. I somehow mustered the courage to speak with Ms. James, and she let me know the Chapter 13 Trustee’s office had never had an intern, but that they were interested in hiring one. By mid-February, I mailed my resume and cover letter to the Trustee’s office and about a month later I was selected as the first intern for the Chapter 13 Trustee in the Eastern District of Kentucky.

I am still extremely honored to have been hired as the first intern for the Chapter 13 Trustee. Although the process for applying for this position made me very anxious, it was well worth my anxiety. Often times minorities, especially Black women, are not given opportunities or included in spaces with opportunities such as an internship with the Trustee. Therefore, I am very grateful to have been given the amazing chance to increase my legal knowledge and experience during my internship.

Before I began working at the Trustee’s office, I knew what I wanted to gain from this experience. After working for a debtor’s attorney, I wanted to know what working for the “other side” was like. The Chapter 13 Trustee’s main goal was to facilitate the administration of funds from the debtor(s) estate to creditors. I quickly noticed the financial and overall well-being of debtors never took a backseat to the distribution of funds to creditors. Actions like withdrawing a motion to dismiss, negotiating with attorneys in order to avoid court hearings, and simply being understanding to a debtor’s nerves during a meeting of creditors reminded me that I could still be thoughtful of debtors while also helping creditors obtain money they are due.

During my internship I was tasked with writing and filing motions, writing docket notes for staff attorneys, and researching case law. I also had the privilege of attending court hearings. The first few motions I completed I received assistance as I had not written a motion on my own. I gained a deeper understanding of the terms of art frequently used in legal writing. The specific format of motions became easier each time I completed a document; it is almost second nature to me now. After losing my training wheels, I was able to write my first motion by myself. While the motion was not perfect by any means, the corrections Mrs. Burden gave me are notes that I will continue to use in my legal writing.

In order to mitigate the stress Mrs. Burden and her staff attorneys experience from such a taxing job, I would make edits to their docket notes. Short notes helped them quickly recall the subject matter of each case when they were in court. Out of all the tasks I completed, making notes to the docket list was the easiest; it was very straightforward especially after I became accustomed to the software used by the staff of the Trustee’s office.

In law school, I was constantly reading case law and sometimes it got overwhelming. Reading and researching case law in the Trustee’s office was a lot less overwhelming. I did not have the stress of trying to manage reading case law for other class subjects. I had the pleasure of attending a two-day seminar for attorneys continuing their legal education. Mrs. Burden and Ms. James both lectured at the seminar. In preparation for their lectures, I researched case law for them to incorporate into their presentations.

Paramount to the other tasks I completed, was attending court and observing the meetings of creditors. As a law student one learns theory, but one does not practice theory until you begin your career. That said, seeing the staff, debtor, and creditor attorneys in litigation was captivating. I was able to witness a few attorneys zealously advocate for their clients. I was so enthralled by the attorneys’ knowledge and ability to quickly recall case law without peaking at their notes. Those moments were very encouraging and motivating.

The night before I started my internship with the Trustee’s office, I was apprehensive and tense about what the next eight weeks would look like. New beginnings are always hard for me, or so I thought. From day one, I felt welcomed and my nerves quickly dissipated. I am very grateful for the warm and friendly environment my coworkers created. Ultimately, I had such a great experience during my internship. I am more confident in discussing topics related to bankruptcy such as post-petition appreciation, avoiding an untimely perfected lien, or a liquidation analysis. Thanks to my internship, I have been lucky enough to meet several essential individuals of the legal field. I became very familiar with bankruptcy court judges: Judge Lutz and Judge Schaaf, I was also able to meet the law clerks in bankruptcy court. Fostering those connections is mandatory to my success in the legal world, and I would not have been able to make them without the internship opportunity I was so graciously granted. I have had such an educational experience working in the Trustee’s office. I could not have asked for a better internship. This internship has helped me exercise my brain daily, while incorporating the material I learned during my first year of law school. I would recommend this internship to any student inquiring about practicing bankruptcy.