This session will reflect on who gets the benefit of the doubt in bankruptcy and who never does. The panelists will discuss how race, gender, class, geography, professional polish, familiarity with the court and judges, and whether a debtor is a repeat filer can impact case outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will explore how narratives and perceptions about "good" and "bad" debtors can influence decisionmaking and outcomes in bankruptcy proceedings.
- Attendees will examine how factors such as race, gender, class, geography, and familiarity with the court may shape credibility assessments and the exercise of discretion in bankruptcy cases.
- Attendees will consider strategies for recognizing and addressing implicit bias and power dynamics in courtroom advocacy and case administration.