Practicing Bankruptcy Law: “Isn’t it Depressing?”

I frequently get asked why I decided to go in to bankruptcy law. Most of the time, the person asking the question does so with a perplexed facial expression and concerned body language.

“Isn’t it depressing?” they ask.

The truth about why I got into bankruptcy law is actually quite simple. To be completely honest, when I first graduated from law school, I worked on the other side of the equation for a debt collection law firm. Not to say that lenders and creditors don’t need and deserve quality representation, but it just wasn’t for me. I saw the debtors who were struggling and I felt drawn to wanting to help them. I knew that I could help them, but I needed to figure out the best way to do that.

In 2010, I took the leap and opened Veitengruber Law. We started out as a very small solo practitioner firm, but I knew from the very beginning that we would do great things for many people. I put together the very best team to work with me: a bankruptcy specialist paralegal, a foreclosure specialist paralegal, a marketing specialist, and the most qualified legal assistant I could find.

Since the year of our inception, we have not looked back. I knew instantly that making the move to own my own firm was the right decision. Every year the firm grows exponentially. I have put no less than my entire heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into moulding Veitengruber Law into the kind of bankruptcy law practice that has a reputation for helping people.

To circle back to the original question that was posed at the opening of this post: “Isn’t bankruptcy law depressing?” The general consensus is that I must be crazy to want to spend all day every day with those less fortunate, or those who have made some poor financial choices.

The answer to that question is quite simple, actually. My “job” as a NJ bankruptcy attorney is hands-down the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. You’ll often find me still working at 9pm – and happy about it! The bottom line: I’ve discovered that helping people is what I was destined to do, and I don’t say that boastfully. Showing my clients (who quickly become friends) that there is a light at the end of what they thought was a never-ending tunnel of debt makes all of my efforts worthwhile.

Upon first meeting me, my clients are almost always in emotional distress. They are almost never happy about filing for bankruptcy, and many of them have a very negative attitude:

“I don’t want to be here.”

“I can’t believe I’m really doing this.”

As we begin to talk and I make them aware of what bankruptcy can actually do for them, every single person visibly relaxes. It’s as if I have physically removed a 25 pound weight from around their shoulders. Smiles start to peek out, they begin to make more eye contact with me, and sighs of relief abound. Sometimes, tears spring from their eyes, taking them by surprise – simply because they are tears of joy.

Tell me, what could be more fulfilling than that?