Tennessee Bankruptcy Law Education and Training

Get the right training to work with bankruptcy laws in TN
By Emmet McMahan Tennessee bankruptcy law education and training will teach you how to resolve your clients’ debts by dividing their assets among their creditors. This allows each creditor to achieve some measure of equality under the law. A filing under Chapter 7 is called liquidation and involves the sale of the debtor's non-exempt property. A bankruptcy proceeding under Chapters 11, 12 or 13 allows the debtor to use future earnings to pay off creditors.

The qualifications needed to work with TN bankruptcy laws are determined at the state level and also will be affected by the specific type of bankruptcy that the client requires. There are three general phases in obtaining an education in bankruptcy law:

1. Formal education. An attorney who works with state of Tennessee bankruptcy laws will need at least a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school in Tennessee. An advanced degree such as a Masters of Law (L.L.M) will further help distinguish you from your colleagues.
2. Membership in professional organizations. Practicing attorneys will want a membership in one of the associations dedicated to bankruptcy law in Tennessee.
3. Legal specialization. Bankruptcy attorneys in Tennessee can become designated specialists in bankruptcy law by meeting the state's specific requirements.
   

Attend a law school that specializes in educating TN bankruptcy lawyers

There are a variety of universities in Tennessee that provide a concentration in bankruptcy law. These schools are equipped to offer a solid education on the current bankruptcy laws in Tennessee.
Try:  University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law offers a course in 354 Problems in Bankruptcy for students pursuing a practice in bankruptcy law. The University of Tennessee offers a concentration in business law, which includes coursework in bankruptcy law.

Find professional forums for Tennessee bankruptcy lawyers

Professional online forums can provide a daily educational opportunity for bankruptcy attorneys in Tennessee. These include information on recent changes in bankruptcy law and advice on building a practice.
Try:  The Bankruptcy Forum discusses a variety of issues on bankruptcy, including those that specifically relate to Tennessee bankruptcy law. The Tennessee Bar Association host an annual bankruptcy forum to discuss recent bankruptcy cases in the Sixth Circuit.

Obtain a specialization in Tennessee business bankruptcy laws

Tennessee allows attorneys who practice certain areas of the law, such as bankruptcy, to be certified as specialists. A bankruptcy attorney in Tennessee will need to know Tennessee's specific requirements for a specialization in bankruptcy.
Try:  The Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization recognizes 14 different areas of legal specialization, including consumer and business bankruptcy. Tennessee uses the American Board of Certification to certify attorneys with a specialization in bankruptcy.

• Attorneys also will want to join professional organizations that are dedicated to the practice of Tennessee bankruptcy laws. These associations provide a number of resources essential for the practicing bankruptcy attorney, including contact information for important courts, assistance with Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements and links to bankruptcy laws.