Friday, May 5th
4:15 PM- 5:30 PM
Not all student loan debt is created equal. Enhance your practice by assisting new and past clients with student loan debt. In “Debunked: Dischargeability of Student Loans,” Bethany Lape and Austin Smith explore recent case law that challenges this well-known myth and common scenarios that you will encounter. You will learn how to simplify the process with a new tool in Best Case® Bankruptcy which can help identify next steps using built-in tools and documents. Plus, review the Jurisdictional Scorecard™ to learn the likelihood of discharging student loan debt in your area.
More About Our Presenters:
Bethany Lape
Bethany Lape is the Director of Products at CINgroup and has worked for over ten years to provide products and services for both bankruptcy attorneys and debtors. The problem of student loan debt has been of particular interest to her, and she has been passionate about developing a tool to help attorneys find solutions for their clients. Bethany believes bankruptcy attorneys will play an essential role in resolving the student loan debt epidemic.
Austin Smith
Austin Smith is a litigator who focuses on discharging private student loans in bankruptcy. Smith’s article, The Misinterpretation of 11 USC 523(a)(8), was foundational in articulating the proper scope and application of the student loan non-dischargeability provision of the Bankruptcy Code, and its arguments and reasoning have been adopted by bankruptcy courts all across the country. Smith’s work on behalf of debtors has been profiled by the Wall Street Journal, NPR, ABC News, Fox News, The Financial Times, the National Law Journal, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and more.
NACBA Now 