Having confidence that you’re going to get paid eventually is one thing, but there is no denying that paying for the costs of discovery in advance can be a real burden for consumer bankruptcy lawyers. This session will focus on learning how to distinguish between what discovery expenses are absolutely necessary. It will also address acceptable shortcuts / alternative means of evidence gathering that can go a long way in making the difference between the dream of adding the excitement and income from litigation to your consumer bankruptcy practice and making it a reality.

Meet Your Presenters

Thad Bartholow

Thad Bartholow is a partner with the Dallas, Texas law firm of Armstrong Kellett Bartholow P.C.  In addition to consumer bankruptcy, Mr. Bartholow’s practice focuses on individual and class-action litigation on behalf of consumer debtors in state, federal, and bankruptcy courts.  He has spoken at local, regional and national conferences regarding issues related to consumer bankruptcy and consumer litigation, and Mr. Bartholow has obtained several favorable written opinions on issues related to objections to proofs of claims and creditors’ standing / status as a real party in interest with authority to participate in bankruptcy proceedings.  Mr. Bartholow is a member of NACBA, NACA, and a graduate of Max Gardner’s Bankruptcy Boot Camp.

Philip Zuzolo

Since 2007 Philip Zuzolo has been practicing consumer law in Northeast Ohio, concentrating on litigation involving the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act in both the state and federal courts.  Attorney Zuzolo has also focused a great deal of his practice on litigating cases against creditors in the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Attorney Zuzolo received a Bachelor of Arts from John Carroll University and his juris doctorate from The University of Akron School of Law.  Prior to law school, Attorney Zuzolo served in the United States Army and attained the rank of Captain.  He is admitted to the Ohio Supreme Court, the United States District Court for Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He is a member of the Trumbull County Bar Association, National Association of Consumer Lawyers, the Board of Directors for ETI Technical College, and is a member and Secretary for the Nathaniel R. Jones American Inn of Court.  Attorney Zuzolo is a 2008 graduate of Max Gardner’s boot camp.  In 2016, Attorney Zuzolo was awarded with the Trumbull County Volunteer Lawyer of the Year award, as well as the Special Recognition Award from the Trumbull County Bar Association for his volunteer work.

Moderator 

Rachel Foley

Rachel Foley began her bankruptcy career with the United Auto Workers representing GM and Ford employees in Chapter 13 and 7’s. Rachel was the only bankruptcy attorney for the Missouri auto workers and it was not unusual for her to manage 3 – 4 times the regular attorney caseload at any given time. This provided a vast array of case scenarios, experience and knowledge that Rachel continues to pull from today. Where ever the client was located, the Union ensured the auto worker would have representation, including but not limited to being incarcerated in Leavenworth Federal Prison. Where ever that client was located, Rachel made sure they received the very best level of bankruptcy representation.

In addition to her training through the UAW, Rachel’s background as a Risk Manager for Clarkson Regional Health Center and 20 years’ experience in the emergency room as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, makes her uniquely qualified to argue a variety of cases. Rachel has been recognized for her constant commitment to the representation of debtors. Rachel is the inaugural winner of the K. Colleen Nunnelly Award by the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and recognized by her peers as being the Best of the Kansas City Bar in the area of bankruptcy. These recognitions are in addition to being named to the Pro Bono Wall of Fame by the Missouri Bar Association.