[ Reinventing the Clerkship ] “As a fellow with the Wrongful Conviction Project, I feel as though I am working toward that objective every day,” she said. “Further, I feel proud knowing that the work I do may result in grave injustices being corrected and innocent people being returned to their lives and families.” The fellowship also allowed Feigenbaum to practice law immediately upon passage of the Ohio Bar Exam. She has gained invaluable experience interacting with other attorneys, the courts, clients, and witnesses. “These experiences have enhanced my competency and confidence as a new attorney immensely,” she said. Bankruptcy program created Melissa Baker Linville ’11 was drawn to public interest law and had experience working for the Legal Aid Society of Columbus prior to graduating from law school. After graduation, she worked part-time for the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office and conducted legal research for solo practitioners. When a member of the Career Services Office at Moritz shared information about a new United States Bankruptcy Court Pro Bono Project Fellowship, Linville wasn’t sure it would be an exact fit. “I hadn’t taken any bankruptcy courses before,” she said, “but I really liked the idea of implementing a pro bono program and working closely with legal aid and attorneys interested in volunteering their services.” The three-part pro bono program received support from bankruptcy court judges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. They saw an immense need for legal services in the wake of the economic recession and subsequent rise in joblessness. The program focuses on three areas: a Chapter 7 referral program for low-income clients; providing brief counsel to pro se debtors prior to their appearance at monthly hearings; and creating a training program for lawyers without bankruptcy experience to represent clients in adversary proceedings. With little experience in bankruptcy herself, Linville studied everything she could find on that area of law and attended proceedings with the Honorable John E. Hoffman Jr. “Judge Hoffman has been a great instructor in the ways of bankruptcy and has helped me to understand what bankruptcy procedure is all about,” Linville said. “I also shadowed different attorneys and trustees early on.” In its first six months, the Chapter 7 referral program recruited about 50 volunteer attorneys who began handling more than 100 client referrals from Southeastern Ohio Legal Services and the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. In August, Linville was thrilled to report that of the 20 cases filed already, 12 were discharged. She hoped to gain even more
“I really liked the idea of implementing a pro bono program and working closely with legal aid and attorneys interested in volunteering their services.” – Melissa Baker Linville ’11
ground in the fall, when students from Moritz and Capital University Law School would join the effort to guide clients in the process of collecting the overwhelming amount of documentation needed. “Hopefully it will save the attorney one meeting, and the students will gain experience with client interviewing,” Linville said. “In law school, I always liked any opportunity to do something real.” When her fellowship ends in February, Linville is confident that the experience will enable her to find work in more places. The new lawyer who lacked bankruptcy experience before is now more experienced in its nuances. “I definitely am interested in practicing bankruptcy law. I was only interested in public interest opportunities before and didn’t have experiences that translated to firms very well,” she said. “I’m excited to have a skill that I can relate to the public and private sectors.” AR
Moritz Corporate Fellowship Program expands What started as discussions with three general counsels of well-known companies has grown into a program with more than 20 corporate partners.
• Abercrombie & Fitch
• The Kroger Co.
• American Electric Power
• Medical Mutual of Ohio
• Angie’s List
• The National Retail Federation
• BroadStreet Capital Partners Inc.
• Nationwide
• Cardinal Health
• Procter & Gamble Co.
• DSW Inc.
• Progressive Insurance
• Dun & Bradstreet Inc. • Fifth Third Bancorp
• The Ohio State University Office of Legal Affairs
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
• The Scotts Company LLC
• Greif Inc.
• United Retirement Plan Consultants
• Huntington Bancshares Inc. • KeyBank
Moritz College of Law | W I N T E R 2 0 1 3
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