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Deborah A. Stencel
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Deborah A. Stencel
Legal Helpers, the Law Offices of Macey & Aleman
108 N Main St.
Suite 625
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: 877 245-2098 | Fax: (574) 233-3556
http://www.legalhelpers.com
Aggressive & Passionate - Consumer Rights & Bankruptcy
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I take Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 consumer clients who are willing to be honest with me and the court. We will work to get the best result we can under the law.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Credit Repair
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
Bar Admissions
IN, Nov 2001
Bar Number: 23159 49
Other Court Admissions
Northern District of Indiana
Southern District of Indiana
Southern District of Texas
Association Memberships
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
American Bar Association
American Bankruptcy Institute
Continuing Education
I take as many bankruptcy classes as I can!
Example Cases
My clients are generally well meaning, honest people who have found that circumstances (like job loss or divorce) have caused a drastic change in the type of life they were living - causing the bills to spiral out of control. Occasionally, it may be the case that a certain financial choice turned out to be a bad one and it tipped the client over the edge. In any case, I use the bankruptcy code to reorganize their financial lives and help them start over.
About 5% of my practice is devoted to stopping creditor violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. This law stops third party collections from unconscionable actions in collecting debts. It is a very exciting and rewarding part of what I do.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
North Carolina State University
City:
Raleigh
State:
NC
Year:
1997
Focus and Accomplishments:
Political Science major; active in theater, environmental causes, and campus choir.
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of North Carolina
City:
Chapel Hill
State:
NC
Year:
2001
Honors:
Pro Bono Award; Dean's list
Focus and Accomplishments:
Moot Court membership; Negotiation Team
Number of Attorneys
75
State Licensed In
Indiana
Firm Focus and History
Our firm started in 1997 in Chicago, Illinois. When I joined the firm we had offices in 7 states and about 30 lawyers. Since then, we have almost tripled in size. We have a large and diverse staff comprising many ethnicities, backgrounds and life experiences.
Over the years we have grown to be one of the largest consumer bankruptcy firms in the US. We are currently redoubling our efforts to provide complete bankruptcy services to the consumer, including using cutting edge technologies, developing novel and innovative legal strategies and theories, and utilizing our vast resources. We work to make the bankruptcy process smooth and efficient so the client is ready for his or her "fresh start."
Previous Employment Summary
Before law school, I worked as an organizational consultant, in retail customer service, and as a comedian. Each of these mini-careers prepared me for the work I do now in ways too numerous to list!
During law school, I clerked for Raymond Mason Taylor, an elder law attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina. I learned about the dignity of the lawyer and what an honor it is to represent people.
I also spent time interning with Hurricane Floyd survivors in Greenville, North Carolina with Pamlico Sound Legal Services. It was here that I first I met clients who had been to the edge of true disaster.
After my admission to the bar, I spent about one year at Indiana Legal Services providing free legal services to the poor. In this job I tried to take all the lessons of previous work experiences and develop the skills I would need in the years ahead.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
There is no question that it is important for every one to be educated on financial and legal issues to the best of their ability. I often encourage prospective clients to head to the library or internet to seek reliable sources of information about bankruptcy and debt management.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
This question doesn't come up very much. In the past, the pro bono or legal services setting that I have worked in, we were forced by the programs' financial constraints to encourage a lot of people to try to file their own court documents, so I have some experience in this area. Currently, I would prefer to do this after pre-qualification through legal aid, legal services or pro bono programs designed to provide free legal aid to the needy.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I have recently volunteered and have done this in the past for clientèle who qualify for free legal services under government or private pro bono programs. I prefer to do this in that setting.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
As corny as it sounds, I wanted to help people. I grew up witnessing the inequities and injustice in the world that the more vulnerable sections of our society have to endure.
Americans are entirely too susceptible to being in financial trouble, to not having the resources to make the best financial decisions, to not having the financial cushion to sustain a family through job loss, illness or accident, to being forced to make bad credit deals, and/or to lack the financial sophistication to understand the long term consequences of certain financial acts. I believe this is due to a number of factors: education, the way credit is created and provided, the fact that the consumer has very little bargaining power, the fact that creditors refuse to see the incentive in working things out, and the recent development of the entire credit state as we know it.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I'm glad that I had some years in the workforce before law school. The perspective of having lived in the "real world" between all those years of school shaped my understanding of the way the world works and the importance of each pay check to my clients. It also made me appreciate my education all the more and want to make the most of it.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
No one wants to file bankruptcy, but because it can completely alter the lives of my clients for the better in a relatively short time, I find what I do to be very positive and exciting.
What do you like best about your career?
Results. My father (not a lawyer) asked me the other day how many cases I have won. I told him, "all of them." Then I explained, bankruptcy isn't how one traditionally thinks of law where there is a winner and a loser or a guilty or not guilty verdict at the end of a trial. Instead, I evaluate whether a client qualifies for relief from debt and if so, to what extent. I help the client propose to the court that he or she get the result that he or she qualifies for. As long as the client obeys court orders, tells the truth, and cooperates in the process, he or she generally gets the relief she asked for!
Tell us about your law firm:
In my South Bend, Merrillvile and Fort Wayne Offices, I have a small group of dedicated and serious attorneys who have worked well together for several years: Dan Matern and Joanne Baitup Kagler. We're also excited to have added a small group of young professionals to the practice recently who will help us grow and provide even more service to our clients. We also have dedicated and helpful support staff who each have their own unique talents: Cheryl, Mark, and Kat.
What are your strengths and style?
Strengths: attention to detail, enthusiasm, energy and I really like what I do and the people I do it for.
Style: I am blunt when needed; I like to joke with my clients when I can, and like to make them comfortable.
Personal Interests:
Music (pop, rock, modern folk, alternative), comedy (stand up and improvisational), theater (any), video games (really, but no shooting games), word games and puzzles, reading, sightseeing, and languages (I studied French, German, and Russian, but am no where near fluent in any).
Office Manager/Assistant
Cheryl and Kat
Fax
(574) 233-3556
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
We also have 24 hour messaging - please visit our website for more information.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
None
Additional Offices
Indianapolis, IN
136 E. Market Street
Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(877) 245-2098
Fort Wayne, IN
4241 Flagstaff Cove
Fort Wayne, IN 46815
(877) 245-2098
Merrillville, IN
7520 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
(877) 245-2098
Anderson, IN
3310 S. Main Street
Suite D-2
Anderson, IN 46013
(877) 245-2098
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Bankruptcies are flat fee arrangements (the fee is determined for the case as a whole at the beginning, not an hourly billing situation). I propose a fair fee for the entire case when I first meet with a client. If the client agrees to the fee, there are generally no further fees charged - except in special and rare circumstances that I explain to the clients before they ever pay me a dime.
When I work on collection harassment cases, I take a percentage of the potential settlement. If there is no settlement, the client is not responsible for legal fees.
Hourly Rates
Not applicable.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes. There is no time limit, but initial consultations range from 30-60 minutes.
Typical Retainer
Once a client has agreed to my fee, I ask him or her to make an initial payment of at least $100 and then we work out a payment plan for the balance of the fee.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
