Friday, September 25, 2009

Automatic Stay Refresher Course

I had a defendant file bankruptcy last week to prevent an eviction. He filed bankruptcy two days before the eviction was scheduled to occur. His hand-written petition listed my client, the landlord, as his only creditor.

What this defendant did not know, however, was that the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ("BAPCPA") amended Section 362 of the code so that the automatic stay does not apply to "any eviction, unlawful detainer action, or similar proceeding by a lessor against a debtor involving residential property in which the debtor resides as a tenant under a lease or rental agreement and with respect to which the lessor has obtained before the date of filing of the bankruptcy petition, a judgment for possession of such property against the debtor."

In other words, you can't file bankruptcy to prevent an eviction when your landlord has already obtained an order of possession. He was evicted on Monday.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Job Hunting: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

In this economy, finding a decent paying legal job is not an easy journey. Finding a dream job is even more nightmarish. Luckily, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) has stepped up to the plate to present,

"Job Hunting Strategies for a Lousy Economy: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly".

This practical seminar will take place this Thursday, September 24, 2009 at the ISBA's Chicago office and provide effective job-hunting tips that will help you avoid the traps that add stress to an already stressful situation.

For more information visit: http://www.isba.org/lawed/2009/09jobhunting/

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Man gets DUI for driving his motorized wheelchair...on the interstate.

What else can I say?

Full article here.

I think he pushed him.

UPDATE:
I received a call from attorney Mark Brennan who was upset by the label that I applied to him in the previous title to this post. He also claims that he didn't push opposing counsel during the hearing. So I changed the title to the post.

ORIGINAL POST:
Colorado attorney Mark Brennan was recently cited for contempt of court TWICE during his own DISCIPLINARY HEARING relating to allegations of past misconduct!

Then he pushed his opposing counsel!! And it is on video!!! The presiding judge actually had to admonish the lawyers that it wasn't "trial by combat"!!!!

You have to check out this link, courtesy of Lowering the Bar. Here is another article about the shoving incident.