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John T. Orcutt

John T. Orcutt

The Law Offices of John T. Orcutt
6616-203 Six Forks Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27615

Phone: (919) 847-9750  |  Fax: (919) 847-3439
http://www.billsbills.com

Contact John T. Orcutt

Helping Good People Through Tough Times

Legal Topic

Bankruptcy

Preferred New Clients

I prefer to work with candidates for Bankruptcy, both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Sub-Categories

Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13
  • Collections & Repossessions
  • Debt Relief
  • Garnishments
  • Business Bankruptcy
  • Credit Repair
  • Creditor Harassment
  • Personal Bankruptcy
  • Foreclosures

Bar Admissions

NC, Jan 1982
Bar Number: 10212

Specialty Certifications

Ed Boltz is a Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist.

Other Court Admissions

• North Carolina State Courts
• Federal District Courts for Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina
• Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Association Memberships

National Association of Consumer Debtor Bankruptcy Attorneys.

Continuing Education

I both attend and teach at continuing legal education seminars focused on consumer bankruptcy law and practice.

I have taught the following courses:

• National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Fall Workshop; Topic: "Coping with An Expanding Bankruptcy Practice: Managing Time, People, Documents and Money"; 2008
• National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Fall Workshop Annual Seminar; Topic: "Office Management and Technology" (HotDocs program presentation); 2008
• National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Fall Workshop; Topic: "Managing Your Practice: Meeting the Challenges..."; 2007
• Middle District Bankruptcy; Topic: "Chapter 13 Issues"; 1999
• Eastern Bankruptcy Institute; Topic: "A Misnomer: How to Succeed in Chapter 13 Without Really Trying"; 1997

Papers and Publications

I wrote an initial draft of Local Rules for Compensation of Attorney in Chapter 13 Case for the EDNC; 1999.

Example Cases

We provide successful bankruptcy law assistance to over 200 families per month, covering the full range of facts and circumstances related to cases filed under Chapter 7 and 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. We are now, and have also been, heavily involved in the bankruptcy appeals process.

Education

Degree:

Juris Doctor

School:

Albany Law School

City:

Albany

State:

NY

Year:

1975

Focus and Accomplishments:

General practice focus.

 

Degree:

Bachelor of Science in Physics

School:

University of Rochester

City:

Rochester

State:

NY

Year:

1972

Focus and Accomplishments:

Study of physics.

Number of Attorneys

5

State Licensed In

North Carolina

Firm Focus and History

Established in 1985, we are now the largest law firm in North Carolina providing bankruptcy law assistance to the public, offering services in 28 counties of North Carolina, from Goldsboro west to Burlington.

Using the bankruptcy law, we help good, honest, hard-working families get out of debt and back on their feet.

Previous Employment Summary

Previously, we were a general practice law firm, offering services related to bankruptcy, real estate, wills, car accidents, and worker's compensation. In 1997, we limited our practice to bankruptcy law.

Activities and Awards

Named Champion of the Order of Protectors of Consumer Debtors by NACBA (National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys): 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I have no problem with a person representing themselves. However, bankruptcy law is so complex that it is virtually impossible for a person to represent themselves competently, especially under the new bankruptcy law.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I am not willing to review client-prepared documents. We have found that doing so tends to cause more problems than it solves. Due to the complexity of the bankruptcy law, it is virtually impossible for a person to competently prepare documents on their own, and likely malpractice on our part to help them without completely taking over their legal representation.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I am not willing coach clients in self-representation. The law of bankruptcy is simply too complex. Not even an attorney with 2 years of full-time practice devoted solely to bankruptcy law can be sure to avoid mistakes. If such an attorney cannot practice with complete competence, it stands to reason that a member of the public, with no experience or training in bankruptcy law, who chooses to represent him or herself, without benefit of counsel, is sure to fail.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

There were many other lawyers in my family, and I was impressed by the role lawyers play in helping the public deal with and negotiate our legal system.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

We have a ton of experience in consumer bankruptcy law. We have filed bankruptcy for over 30,000 families. We have focused exclusively on bankruptcy law since 1997.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I enjoy getting families unshackled from the burden of debt, so that they can get back on their feet and on with their lives.

What do you like best about your career?

I like helping people devastated by life and the burden of debt. It is my greatest joy to put a smile back on the face of a person wracked by the stress of debt and failing in the struggle to take care of his or her family.

Tell us about your law firm:

We are a law firm of five great attorneys and some 60 great, people-oriented paralegals and support staff. We are very specialized in our respective functions, and are thereby able to provide the very best quality service possible for the relatively small flat-fees charged.

What are your strengths and style?

We recognize that the interests of our clients must always come first. We recognize the stress that our clients are and have been suffering under and understand that preparing the "paperwork" is only a small part of the supportive role that we need to fulfill to properly represent the people who are kind enough to come to us for help.

Personal Interests:

My main interest is the care and support of my family and all of the other individuals who work for me. Second only to that, my main interest is the proper and efficient running of my law practice, so that we can maintain a strong reputation for really taking care of our clients, emotionally as well as legally.

Fax

(919) 847-3439

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

No

Additional Offices

Durham, NC
1738 Hillandale Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-1695

Wilson, NC
2860-D Ward Blvd.
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 234-9194

Fayetteville, NC
934 Cambridge Street
Fayetteville, NC 28303
(910) 323-2972

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

We provide virtually all of our services on a flat-fee basis. The fees range depending upon the Chapter of bankruptcy involved and, in turn, upon the breadth of the issues that need to be addressed. We charge more where more services are required, and less where less are required.

Hourly Rates

Mostly, we work on a flat fee basis. When hourly work is performed we charge as follows:

• $250 per hour for attorney time
• $75 per hour for paralegal time

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, we offer a totally free and confidential initial consultation, which generally runs between one and two hours.

Typical Retainer

Our typical retainer is $75.

Understanding Fees

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.