Member price: $25

Non-member Price: $75

 

Description: Bankruptcy is unique area of practice. We operate on flat fees, hourly fees, blended fee agreements, and “no look” fees. Our fees must be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Some bankruptcy attorneys require full payment to retain, while others offer payment plans.  Some attorneys get paid electronically and others only accept cash or checks. Some attorneys only see clients in person while others run an all-virtual practice. However your firm operates, the fee agreement is one of the most important tools available to protect both the attorney and the client. This panel will address the various clauses bankruptcy attorneys should add to their fee agreements such as clauses addressing when a client no longer wishes to move forward with the case, or when a client’s circumstances have changed, and the attorney must rework the case. There are limited scope clauses to consider for post-petition services such as adversaries, negotiating with a trustee on equity buybacks, objecting to claims, handling random audits, redemptions, reaffirmation agreements, and appeals. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your retainer agreements.

NACBA is on the verge of a significant influx of potential client referrals for our members. We want to ensure you are ready to participate in this exceptional opportunity.

 

Earlier this year, in January, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and seven state attorneys general took legal action against the debt settlement firm Strategic Financial Solutions (SFS) and its affiliates. They alleged that SFS was involved in a $100 million consumer fraud scheme. According to the lawsuit, SFS collected fees from its customers and paid itself before providing any meaningful relief, often leaving its customers with even more debt than when they started, violating both state and federal laws. The plaintiffs successfully secured an injunction and appointed a receiver for the company.

 

Here's the good news: the CFPB and the receiver have reached out to NACBA for assistance in providing meaningful legal guidance to SFS's affected customers. We readily agreed to help, and the receiver has recently notified all SFS customers about the resources available to them, including NACBA.

 

In the coming weeks, thousands of SFS customers are expected to contact NACBA, utilizing our attorney finder feature and direct referrals to seek legal counsel. To be visible on the attorney finder and eligible to receive these referrals, your NACBA membership must be current. Ensure your membership is active, and renew if it has lapsed, so these potential clients can be directed to you.

 

As we prepare for this surge of potential clients, we extend an urgent invitation to those who are not yet members: join NACBA today and take advantage of the opportunity to connect with thousands of potential clients seeking legal assistance through our association. This is a unique chance to grow your practice and provide critical help to those in need—don’t miss out.

 

If you choose to participate, we ask that you provide a brief, free phone consultation to these referred clients. Beyond that, treat these referrals as you would any other client.