Student Program

Do you want to help train the next generation of bankruptcy lawyers?

Access to Bankruptcy Court’s “Student Program” began in 2011 as a collaboration between ABC and Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School.  Professor Lauren Rousseau ran the Student Program from the Auburn Hills campus of Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School for approximately nine years, until the campus closed in 2020.  The Student Program is now operating in collaboration with Wayne State University Law School under the supervision of Professor Laura Bartell.

Under this program, participating Access to Bankruptcy Court attorneys are paired with law students to work on Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases assigned by ABC.  Prior to case assignment, the students receive preliminary training in bankruptcy law and procedure, including training on the utilization of a common bankruptcy software.  Our volunteer attorneys supervise the students in preparing the bankruptcy documents and conducting the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors. Volunteer attorneys are paid $400 per debtor’s case to compensate them for training and supervising the law students with whom they are paired.  

ABC’s Student Program has been a great success from the standpoint of both participating students and volunteer attorneys.  The program has provided students with the opportunity to learn about bankruptcy practice, to work with real clients and practicing attorneys, and to draft bankruptcy petitions and schedules.  Participating students have reported that their experience with the program has increased their interest in bankruptcy as an area of practice.  The program has occasionally led to post-program internship or employment opportunities for the students.  Our volunteer attorneys have enjoyed the opportunity to help students grow in their understanding of bankruptcy and law practice while providing much needed bankruptcy assistance to low-income individuals.

Get Involved!

If you are a participating Access to Bankruptcy Court attorney and are interested in participating in the ABC/WSU Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project, please contact Professor Laura Bartell at l.bartell@wayne.edu.

To become a Participating Panel Attorney, please download and complete the application form.

Panel Attorney Application PDF

Submit your application form to:

Access to Bankruptcy Court
c/o Schafer & Weiner PLLC
Attn: Kim K. Hillary
40950 Woodward Ave., Suite 100
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

ABC panel attorneys are invited to volunteer to provide legal services on a pro bono basis.

Comments from students and attorneys regarding the ABC Student Program.

  • “

    I finished the case with David [Miller]; he was wonderful, extremely kind and did everything he could to educate me and keep me in the loop. I was able to process the documents for him and see what happens in the meeting with the trustee. Great experience, learned a lot. Thank you for the opportunity.

    Aubrey B.
  • “

    I have enjoyed working with the clients referred to me through ABC. I particularly remember working with an elderly gentleman that had gotten caught up in pay-day loan advances and was being garnished on one of the loans. With the extraordinary fees and interest added to the loan, there was simply no way he could repay it. The case took some extra attention because the client had some difficulty getting through the debtor-education course, but we worked with him until he was able to successfully complete the course. This client was a real gentleman. I was almost as excited as he was when he received his discharge

    Tracy Clark, Steinberg Shapiro & Clark
  • “

    I think very highly of the Pro Bono Bankruptcy Program and feel like I have gained a lot from it. I not only have gained some great experience working on bankruptcy matters but have also benefited from the networking opportunities afforded to me through the Program. Thank you again for the opportunities.

    Mina Z.
  • “

    I participate in Access to Bankruptcy because I’m very thankful that the bankruptcy bar offers this service. When a person needs to file a bankruptcy, it can be a desperate and depressing situation. We should help people who need to file but can’t afford it. Access to Bankruptcy allows us to assist very needy clients when they need it the most. It’s a wonderful program.

    Ann M. Howard, Attorney