Customer Showcase

Todd P Trierweiler—Pro Bono Bankruptcy Clinic

Best Case Bankruptcy Customer since 2000

“The most critical component is compassion,” says Todd Trierweiler, cofounder of the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section Legal Aid Bankruptcy Clinic, which opened its doors to the local community more than 14 years ago. It’s a true collaboration between judges, Legal Aid, the Federal District Court, the Lewis and Clark Law School, the Debtor-Creditor Section of the Oregon State Bar, and numerous local attorneys to offer pro bono bankruptcy services for residents in need of a fresh start.

Held monthly, these one-hour seminars provide information on consumer bankruptcy law, filing a Chapter 7 and dealing with creditors and collection agencies. “Filing bankruptcy is usually about circumstances which are out of your control,” explains Trierweiler. The clinics offer a supportive environment as well as an ideal opportunity for prescreened, qualified clients to get representation.

Shift in Economy

When the recession hit, bankruptcies started to significantly climb. “About six months ago, the list of applicants started getting much higher than we could handle and found we were backlogged four-five months,” says Trierweiler. True to form, Trierweiler and his colleagues decided they needed to find a way to help the community. So on Saturday, November 14, 2009 the largest pro bono bankruptcy clinic took place.

Hosting a Mass Pro Bono Clinic

A lot of preparation and resources were required to successfully host an event of this size. They needed to recruit an additional 50-60 attorneys (a feat in itself), provide the necessary bankruptcy training, and deliver the required infrastructure and assistance necessary for all the participants.

In addition, a bankruptcy software solution was needed. Many of these attorneys were not practicing bankruptcy attorneys so they didn’t have the tools in place to provide service to these clients. “Best Case was happy to donate a complimentary 90-day license for these new attorneys,” says Bethany Lape, Best Case Customer Service and Sales Manager. “It’s a win-win situation,” says Trierweiler. “We provide representation to clients who need it and we train new attorneys so they are able to provide bankruptcy relief to clients.”

Results

In one day, they were able to significantly reduce the backlog and provide representation to 29 clients. “Prior to the last two years, we were seeing a lot of indigent individuals and now we are seeing middle and upper class families. Bankruptcy no longer discriminates by class. Especially in the pacific northwest where high-tech companies such as Intel have experienced an increase in layoffs,” says Trierweiler.