From federal clerkship to litigation to a transformative pivot into Medicaid and estate planning, Andy shares how recognizing a knowledge gap changed his career — and gave him back control of his life.

A thoughtful, grounded conversation about facing adversity, protecting families, mentoring the next generation, and why “always do the right thing” is more than just a slogan.

Today on The Pivot Playbook, Salene sits down with Andy Sykes — Certified Elder Law Attorney practicing in Pennsylvania, with offices in Pittsburgh (Mount Lebanon) and King of Prussia.

Andy focuses on:

• Customized estate planning

• Medicaid planning

• Asset protection

• Estate administration

• Special needs planning

• Strategic tax optimization

What makes his practice unique?

He began from the crisis side — Medicaid litigation — and saw firsthand how poorly drafted estate documents created devastating consequences for families.

“If people have good knowledge and good advice, they get a much better result than they do without it.”

That realization reshaped his entire career.

⭐ In this episode, we cover:

Andy began his career in litigation after clerking for a federal judge and working at a boutique litigation firm where he was handed real cases from day one.

But around the year 2000, a Medicaid case changed everything.

A client had improperly sold her mother’s house while her mother was on Medicaid — costing her over $100,000.

Andy discovered that with proper planning and understanding of Medicaid rules, the outcome could have been dramatically different.

That moment revealed:

• A massive knowledge gap

• An underserved population

• An opportunity to help families proactively

He pivoted fully from litigation to Medicaid and estate planning.

“People don’t understand these rules. If they have good advice, they get a much better result.”

The pivot wasn’t just professional — it was personal.

At the time, Andy’s children were young.

Litigation meant:

• Court-driven schedules

• Trial deadlines

• Stress that spilled into family life

Planning work meant:

• Greater control of his calendar

• More evenings at home

• A healthier work-life balance

“When your practice is planning-focused, you can control your calendar much more.”

Andy’s ideal clients are:

• Middle-class families

• Individuals approaching or in retirement

• Blended families

• Families with special needs children

• Clients open to proactive, innovative planning

His work emphasizes:

• Asset protection strategies

• Medicaid eligibility optimization

• IRA tax deferral strategies

• Multi-generational trust planning

“We optimize and customize estate plans far more than most firms do.”

An older couple found love later in life — but had concerns about:

• Protecting assets for their respective children

• Nursing home risks

• Blended family complications

Through a prenuptial agreement and asset protection trust planning, Andy helped them:

• Marry securely

• Preserve assets for their children

• Protect against Medicaid exposure

Years later, they’re still together.

“It’s great to make it possible for people to feel secure enough to build a life together.”

When Andy began, he sometimes felt imposter syndrome advising older clients.

Now, with grown children and personal estate planning experience — including special needs planning — he brings lived experience into client conversations.

“I can relate now in a way I couldn’t before.”

Midlife has shifted his focus from annual profitability to long-term legacy.

For Andy, success today means:

• Training the next generation

• Bringing on a summer associate

• Passing down a thriving practice

“It’s more about legacy now than just this calendar year.”

He emphasizes mentorship:

“You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Find a mentor.”

One of the most thoughtful parts of the conversation centered on adversity.

Andy’s perspective:

When facing professional or personal setbacks, don’t avoid them.

Turn toward them.

He referenced The Sixth Sense as metaphor — what terrifies us may be pointing toward something we need to confront and understand.

“If you can face adversity and learn from it, it becomes a moment of growth.”

In elder law, identifying the true client is critical.

Often an adult child brings in a parent — but the parent is the client.

This requires:

• Clear ethical boundaries

• Difficult conversations

• Protecting vulnerable individuals

• Courage to say “no” when capacity is lacking

“You always have to know who the real client is.”

Andy builds community through:

• Live educational seminars

• Local referrals

• Community visibility

• Church involvement

• Supporting local music

• Hosting estate planning workshops

He also shared an unexpected passion:

• Studying improv before the pandemic

Improv, he says, improved his listening skills and presence with clients.

“If people have good advice, they get a much better result.”

“When your practice is planning-focused, you can control your calendar.”

“You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Find a mentor.”

“If you can face adversity and learn from it, it becomes growth.”

“You always have to know who the real client is.”

“Always do the right thing.”

Pivot he’s most proud of: Transitioning from litigation to elder law and Medicaid planning.

Practice that keeps him grounded: Exercise — training for a 10K (The Great Race in Pittsburgh).

Principle that guides him: “Always do the right thing.”

Person who changed his trajectory: (With humor and heart) Salene’s photography — which led him to meet his wife.

• Certified Elder Law Attorney

• Former federal judicial clerk

• Studied improv pre-pandemic

• Avid audiobook listener

• Favorite show: The Crown

• Favorite recent song: “Constant Companion” by Juliana Hatfield

• Favorite travel destination: Madrid

• Has a wild morning dove named Daisy who visits his deck

Learn more about estate planning and elder law services in Pennsylvania: [Insert Firm Website]

Attend a live estate planning seminar in Pittsburgh or King of Prussia.

If you have aging parents — don’t wait until crisis. Plan proactively.

A conversation about security, stewardship, facing hard truths, and building a life — and practice — designed around legacy rather than litigation.

From launching his own firm in 1991 with his spouse (and still practicing 30+ years later) to recording lawyer-only bands across state lines, teaching generations of law students, and serving in nearly every major bankruptcy organization, Scott shares what it means to stay curious, keep rowing, and never step off your path.

A thoughtful, funny, and deeply grounded conversation about professional reinvention, civic leadership, creativity, and defining success on your own terms.

Today on The Pivot Playbook, Salene sits down with J. Scott Bovitz — bankruptcy litigator, educator, organization builder, media spokesperson, and musician.

Scott practices in the Central District of California, representing creditors, landlords, trustees, and distressed businesses in complex bankruptcy litigation. He is Board-Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law (ABC), a Certified Specialist by the State Bar of California, a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, and a past president and chair of numerous professional organizations.

But behind the credentials is a renaissance professional:

• Founder of BankruptcyDog.com (a long-running bankruptcy community calendar)

• Adjunct professor at Loyola, UNLV, and other law schools

• Former member of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners

• Frequent media commentator (including national coverage of the Dodgers bankruptcy)

• Composer of 786 songs and member of two all-lawyer bands

• Photographer who has traveled to 82 countries

⭐ In this episode, we cover:

• Clerking for his bankruptcy professor before even getting bar results

• Being asked — on short notice — to teach bankruptcy at Loyola

• Realizing that teaching creates both mastery and opportunity

• Choosing a niche and digging deep

“Find a field and learn everything you possibly can. The law is infinite.”

Leaving a large firm in Century City in 1991 to launch a two-lawyer firm with his spouse.

• Negotiating his exit

• Managing overhead carefully

• Building a litigation-focused bankruptcy practice

• Choosing scope intentionally (knowing what not to take)

“When you’re on your own, you decide the scope of your practice.”

Thirty-plus years later, the firm still thrives.

Scott estimates that he spends roughly one-third of his time on non-billable leadership and educational work:

• Writing and lecturing (hundreds of programs delivered)

• Serving on the State Bar’s Legal Specialization Board

• Writing certification exams

• Serving on the Committee of Bar Examiners

• Leadership in ABC, ABI, local bankruptcy forums

His philosophy:

“Don’t just belong. Participate.”

From answering live call-in radio questions to appearing on CBS 14 times during the Dodgers bankruptcy, Scott shares how showing up publicly builds credibility — and how even his mother finally believed he was a “real lawyer” after seeing him on television.

He’s also fielded complex overnight reporter calls (including on 23andMe bankruptcy privacy issues) — often from airports.

It started in 8th grade — writing a song for a girl.

Years later, mid-career, he took UCLA extension classes in recording technology. That turned into:

• A home studio in Los Angeles

• Two all-lawyer bands

• Remote collaboration across cities

• Serving as recording engineer

• ABA licensing his music for podcast intros

He writes constantly — and rarely declares a song “done.”

“No song is ever finished.”

Music, he says, keeps him grounded and in flow.

Scott describes the bankruptcy community as surprisingly small — perhaps 300 regular national players.

Whether at ABI, ABC, NCBJ, or local forums, he values walking into a room knowing he has colleagues — and friends.

He also finds connection in unexpected places:

• Ham radio (licensed since 1969)

• The Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic

• A lawyer movie club (“Monday Night Lawyer Movie Club — unless it’s on Tuesday”)

• BankruptcyDog.com, which he updates daily

“These people who are sometimes your adversaries are your friends.”

• Find a mentor you want to be like.

• Choose a field and master it.

• Go to programs year-round — not just to meet CLE requirements.

• Volunteer and say yes.

• Never stop sharpening your sword.

“You never master the law. It’s infinite.”

Clients often arrive scared, overly optimistic, or poorly informed.

Scott emphasizes:

• Listen first.

• Assess whether bankruptcy truly helps.

• Explain risks and costs clearly.

• Be honest when the answer is no.

“Bankruptcy isn’t magic.”

Scott recently turned 70 and has no plans to slow down.

For him, success means:

• Financial security

• A stable marriage (married since 1984)

• The freedom to create

• Being able to walk into a national conference and know people

• Continuing to grow

“You never get off your path.”

“Don’t just belong. Participate.”

“When you’re on your own, you decide the scope of your practice.”

“The law is infinite.”

“You never master it.”

“Bankruptcy isn’t magic.”

“You never stop rowing the canoe.”

“Golden rule and common sense — that guides my decisions.”

Pivot he’s most proud of: Launching Bovitz & Spitzer in 1991 and building it into a decades-long practice.

Practice that keeps him grounded: Writing and recording music.

Principle that guides him: The Golden Rule and common sense.

People who shaped his trajectory:

• Professor David Luna (first employer)

• Frank Riall (who asked him to teach)

• Michael Dempsey (litigation role model)

• Candice Carlyon (ABC leadership invitation)

Learn more about the American Board of Certification: https://abcworld.org

Explore BankruptcyDog.com (Southern California bankruptcy events calendar): http://bankruptcydog.com

Connect with the American College of Bankruptcy: https://www.americancollegeofbankruptcy.com

Learn more about the American Bankruptcy Institute: https://www.abi.org

A University of Maryland Carey School of Law graduate, former math teacher, adjunct professor, mentor, and — yes — former Baltimore Orioles mascot, Barry shares how the biggest shift in his life wasn’t about career advancement… it was about returning to education and service.

A wise, funny, and unexpectedly profound conversation about humility, aspiration, community, and why the answer is always no if you don’t ask.

Today on The Pivot Playbook, Salene sits down with Barry Gogel — complex business litigator, procurement attorney, adjunct professor, mentor, and community leader based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Barry practices with Rifkin Weiner Livingston, a mid-sized Maryland business law firm with a strong government relations presence. His work includes:

• Complex commercial litigation

• Government contracts and procurement bid protests

• Contract claims against state agencies

• Bankruptcy-related litigation and professional malpractice disputes

• High-profile regional disputes (including major sports and development matters)

He describes his practice simply:

“When the stakes are big, we step in.”

But behind the litigation victories is a teacher at heart.

⭐ In this episode, we cover:

Barry began his professional life as a mathematics major who always intended to teach.

• Inspired by high school math teachers

• Began his career in education

• Realized the cyclical nature of teaching left him restless

• Pivoted to law for intellectual challenge and financial stability

Yet decades later, he returned to teaching — this time at the University of Maryland School of Law.

Today he teaches:

• Negotiations

• Coaches the ADR team

• Sports and the Law

“My goal is to educate and entertain — not necessarily in that order.”

From 1990–1994, Barry served as a Baltimore Orioles mascot.

Yes — fully costumed.

“What makes a good mascot? The heart of a three-year-old.”

He describes it as:

“The most fun you can have fully dressed.”

The experience shaped his understanding of performance, energy, and connection — skills that translate directly to the courtroom and the classroom.

Barry’s legal niche includes state procurement disputes — a small bar of lawyers who challenge arbitrary or unlawful government contract decisions.

Ideal clients:

• Businesses with major state contracts

• Companies unfairly disfavored in competitive bidding

• Contractors willing to fight when the stakes justify it

He also handles litigation that emerges from bankruptcies — especially professional malpractice actions pursued by creditors’ committees.

“There’s no problem so big we can’t handle — so long as you’re not kicked out of court.”

Two weeks into practice, Barry took on a pro bono civil rights case through the ACLU involving racial discrimination at a jewelry store.

• Investigated discriminatory appointment practices

• Litigated aggressively

• Settled after key motions

It consumed half of his first year’s billable time — and cemented his identity as an advocate.

The biggest pivot in Barry’s life wasn’t professional — it was personal.

A lunch with former law school dean Don Gifford changed everything.

Barry realized he had drifted too far from education — the space that originally inspired him.

He volunteered to coach the law school’s negotiations team. It didn’t pay. It required enormous time.

He said yes.

That decision grew into:

• A formal academic negotiations course

• A thriving ADR community

• A mentorship network of former students

• A long-term legacy of training young lawyers

“It’s great to be happy. It’s even better if someone else is happy because of you.”

Barry’s involvement with Maryland Youth in the Law (MYLAW) became another defining chapter.

The program:

• Places Baltimore City students in paid legal internships

• Closes opportunity gaps

• Changes career trajectories

He describes asking students to reflect on a moment they were truly selfless — expecting nothing in return.

“You should be selfish in seeking out those selfless moments. That’s the best medicine you can give yourself.”

One of Barry’s most memorable frameworks:

“The key to happiness is low expectations. The key to success is high aspirations. The key to life is understanding the difference.”

He teaches clients — and students — to:

• Pursue boldly

• Accept outcomes

• Not let failure define them

“The answer is no if you don’t ask.”

• Don’t be your own lawyer.

• Seek outside judgment early.

• Don’t wait until it’s too late.

• Temper expectations in litigation.

“Call me before it’s too late.”

For Barry, leadership means:

• Empathy without absorption

• Listening without ego

• Telling hard truths clearly

• Separating your client’s problem from your identity

“You can’t be afraid of the hard truth.”

“The heart of a three-year-old.”

“The answer is no if you don’t ask.”

“Be selfish in your selflessness.”

“The key to happiness is low expectations. The key to success is high aspirations. The key to life is understanding the difference.”

“Don’t be your own lawyer.”

“There’s no problem so big we can’t handle — so long as you’re not kicked out of court.”

Pivot he’s most proud of: Volunteering for Maryland Youth in the Law and building a legacy in mentorship and access.

Practice that keeps him grounded: Morning ritual: Wordle, Spelling Bee, Duolingo (Spanish & chess), Boggle with a 15-year Australian friend.

Principle that guides him: “The answer is no if you don’t ask.”

People who changed his trajectory:

• High school math teachers

• Don Gifford (law school dean)

• John Murphy (mentor)

• Arnold Wiener (father-in-law and legal inspiration)

• His wife, Debra

• His children

• Former Baltimore Orioles mascot

• Mathematics major

• Adjunct professor of negotiations & sports law

• Owns a Hobie Cat sailboat

• Favorite show: Ted Lasso

• Favorite music: Jimmy Buffett, Jim Croce, John Denver

• Favorite podcast: Lost Ballparks

• Two “crazy” chihuahuas named Rice and Beans

Learn more about Maryland Youth in the Law (MYLAW): https://www.my-law.org

Explore Rifkin Weiner Livingston: https://www.rwllaw.com

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law: https://www.law.umaryland.edu

From being bullied in a tiny Oregon town to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in bankruptcy education (including the wildly popular “Bad Boys of Bankruptcy” podcast), Judge Gunn shares candidly about her journey: leaving BigLaw, taking a pay cut for purpose, balancing motherhood with the bench, and finding her voice as a leader.

A powerful, warm, and deeply human conversation about resilience, reinvention, and why the scariest decisions are sometimes the truest.

Today on The Pivot Playbook, Salene sits down with Hon. Elizabeth A. Gunn, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Columbia, marathon runner, mother of two, scholar, podcast creator, and the 2025 recipient of the ABA Business Bankruptcy Committee’s Kathryn R. Heidt Memorial Award.

Judge Gunn is known for her intellect, her service, and her creativity — including launching the ABA’s hit series “The Bad Boys of Bankruptcy,” now the most-listened-to podcast in the entire Business Law Section.

But behind the accolades is a story of courage, reinvention, and authenticity.

• Growing up as the academically gifted “outsider”

• Being bullied and persevering

• Discovering bankruptcy law through Professor Ingrid Hillinger

• Working BigLaw → regional firm → Virginia AG’s office → federal judge

Leaving private practice, taking a massive pay cut, and betting on purpose over prestige — a scary leap that ultimately led to national recognition and her judgeship.

How running keeps her sane, what she listens to, and why Berlin and Sydney marathons mark chapters in her personal story.

• How it started

• The wildest stories (Seattle jewel-smuggling fugitives, Dunkin’ Donuts Ponzi schemes, hidden jewelry walls!)

• How storytelling makes bankruptcy accessible and engaging

• Authenticity vs. “playing the role”

• The “mom finger” for mansplainers

• Being the only woman in the courtroom

• Raising confident kids while doing demanding work

• Distressed business owners: “Do NOT wait until it’s an 8, 9, or 10 crisis. Come in at a 4 or 5—before it’s too late.”

• Creditors: “Open your mail. Participate. The squeaky wheel often gets the grease.”

• Pivot she’s most proud of: Leaving private practice + applying for the bench

• Practice that keeps her grounded: Being a mom

• Principle that guides her: Treat people the way you want to be treated

• Person who changed her trajectory: Her mentor, Roy Terry — and her mother

• “Sometimes the best decision is the scariest decision. Be brave.”

• “I wasn’t successful until I stopped trying to be who I thought a lawyer should be — and just became myself.”

• “If they walked in six months earlier, we could have saved it.”

• “The bankruptcy code protects the people who show up.”

• “Treat others the way you want to be treated — it’s not complicated.”

• “This is probably my last job ever, and I love it.”

• Learn more about the ABA Business Bankruptcy Committee: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/about/committees/business-bankruptcy/subcommittees/

• Listen to Bad Boys of Bankruptcy podcast: 

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/to-the-extent-that/id1498999428?i=1000737283314

• Connect with Judge Gunn’s work through NCBJ, ABC, ABI, and the Federal Bar Association

• Learn more about becoming Board-Certified in bankruptcy:  https://abcworld.org

A business bankruptcy attorney, former U.S. Trustee, and board-certified specialist, David shares his remarkable journey from Los Angeles litigator to Kansas farm bankruptcy expert — and how faith, humility, and perspective guide every pivot.

They discuss the power of gratitude, the beauty of second chances, and why “it’s only money” might be the most freeing mantra of all.

Guest: David Prelle Eron Firm: ç (Wichita, KS) Prelle Eron and Bailey, P.A. https://www.eronlaw.net/team-members/david-prelle-eron/   Role: Founder and Managing Partner — Business Bankruptcy, Farm Reorganization (Chapter 12), Chapter 11, and Commercial Litigation Jurisdictions: Kansas (Active), California (Inactive) Certification: Board Certified, Business Bankruptcy — American Board of Certification (ABC) Education: University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., 2002)

• Founding his Kansas law firm after leaving the U.S. Trustee’s Office — and the courage to create a practice that reflects his values

• How Chapter 12 “farm bankruptcies” became his specialty — representing over 50% of all Chapter 12 debtors in Kansas

• Why bankruptcy is the most compassionate area of law, helping people rebuild dignity and stability

• His mentor’s timeless advice: “Debtors are debtors for a reason.”

• Serving on the ABC Board of Directors and launching the Membership Committee to connect certified specialists nationwide

• Why running a law firm means mastering both law and business — “Running a firm is not practicing law.”

• His personal pivots: from government to entrepreneurship, from lawyer to leader, and from parent to grandparent

• Perspective is everything. “99 times out of 100, whatever you’re dealing with isn’t the end of the universe.”

• Bankruptcy is grace in action. It’s a safety net that lets families and businesses begin again.

• Leadership means service. Whether through board work or community faith projects, success is about contribution.

• Running a business is its own profession. Master your craft — but also learn to manage, lead, and plan.

• Faith and gratitude fuel longevity. Ground yourself in purpose beyond profits.

“It’s only money. You can rebuild that. What matters is your health, your faith, and your family.” “Debtors are debtors for a reason — and we’re here to help them anyway.” “Running a law firm isn’t the same as practicing law — it’s a second full-time job.” “I am only here for a short time. Eternity is a very long time.” “Faith, family, and perspective — that’s my definition of success.”

• Law School: University of Iowa

• Undergrad: Iowa State University

• Favorite Show: Seinfeld

• Bucket List Trip: Italy — Rome, Florence & Venice with his wife

• Best Gift: A heartfelt two-page text from his daughter on his birthday

• Recent Trip: Ireland, for the Iowa State vs. Kansas State football game 🇮🇪

• Favorite Quote: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

• Hidden Talent: Scuba certified — last dove Beaver Lake, Arkansas

• Faith & Service: Active in his Catholic parish; performs in annual church musicals raising $150,000+ for charity

• Family: 7 children, 5 grandkids (“grandies”), and 2 cats 🐈‍⬛

➡️ The Pivot Playbook with Salene Mazur Kraemer Fresh starts. Turnarounds. Real-life resilience. 🌐 www.MazurKraemer.com

#ThePivotPlaybook #MazurKraemer #Podcast #BankruptcyLaw #FaithAndBusiness #Leadership #Resilience #FreshStarts #Entrepreneurship #LawyersOfLinkedIn #BoardCertified #FarmBankruptcy #PivotStories

• Career evolution from paralegal to partner, discovering a passion for restructuring law

• Leadership in IWIRC New Jersey and the impact of women supporting women

• Winning the IWIRC Rising Star Award and mentoring other young professionals

• Experience in complex Chapter 11 cases — including Rite Aid, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Mercedes-Benz

• How bankruptcy can be a path to renewal, not failure

• The bold personal pivot of leaving a toxic friendship group and choosing peace

• Sari’s fitness and mindset transformation, building confidence through discipline

• Pivoting isn’t failure — it’s freedom. Sometimes leaving what no longer serves you opens new doors.

• Act early. In both business and personal life, clarity comes through decisive action.

• Strength is contagious. When you show up strong, others do too.

• Relationships matter. Nurture the ones that support your growth and peace.

“You should fill the cups that fill your cup.” “When I feel strong physically, I feel like I can take on whatever the day serves me.” “Be a good person — it’s really that simple.” “You can’t always control the storm, but you can pivot your direction.”

• Law School: Rutgers Law

• Undergrad: Rutgers University (New Brunswick — Communications & Sociology)

• Favorite Shows: The Morning Show (Apple TV), Love Is Blind (Netflix)

• Vacation: Greece with family

• Best Gift: Whitney Houston memorabilia (and her parents’ unwavering support)

• Music: Currently on a Taylor Swift kick 🎶

• Workout Routine: HIIT and Warrior Sculpt Yoga

• Favorite City: Chicago

• Fun Fact: Has a twin brother, Scott, in sports marketing

• Pet: None (but grew up with a family dog)

➡️ The Pivot Playbook with Salene Mazur Kraemer Fresh starts. Turnarounds. Real-life resilience. 🌐 www.MazurKraemer.com

#ThePivotPlaybook #MazurKraemer #Podcast #IWIRC #WomenInLaw #Resilience #Leadership #FreshStarts #Reinvention #TurnaroundStories #LawyersOfLinkedIn

From tomato contracts in California to his great-uncle’s mysterious Bermuda Triangle disappearance, this conversation blends insight, history, and humanity — reminding us that even in law and finance, stories connect us all.

Guest: Sam Wisotzkey Firm: Kohner, Mann & Kailas, S.C. (Milwaukee, WI) Role: Shareholder; Chair of Business & Financial Services Practice Group Specialty: Creditors’ Rights, Business Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation Certification: Board Certified – Business Bankruptcy Law (American Board of Certification)

• Sam’s career path from Phoenix to Milwaukee, and how geography shaped his practice

• His 21-year tenure with the firm and leadership in business bankruptcy and creditors’ rights

• The story behind a national client and a tomato supply chain — and how quick thinking in a Chapter 11 saved operations nationwide

• Board service on the American Board of Certification, including work on the Faculty Committee grading exams and developing new content

• The importance of acting early in distressed situations — and how “strike while the iron is hot” applies in collections and bankruptcy

• His deep ties to Pittsburgh, where he grew up in the North Hills before heading west

• A fascinating family mystery: his great-uncle’s disappearance on the USS Cyclops in the Bermuda Triangle

• Reflections on hiking, family, and storytelling as balancing forces in a demanding practice

• For Creditors: Engage experienced counsel early — delays reduce leverage and recovery.

• For Professionals: Certification adds credibility and connects you to a national network of experts.

• For Everyone: Approach challenges with curiosity and calm — “hindsight makes even chaos meaningful.”

“Things don’t get better with time. Strike while the iron is hot.” “The Bermuda Triangle may be unsolved — but there’s nothing mysterious about the value of acting early.” “Relationships, integrity, and timing: that’s the real formula for a successful bankruptcy practice.”

• Law School: University of Michigan (Go Blue!)

• Favorite Show: The Bear (Hulu)

• Movie: The Shawshank Redemption

• Vacations: Grand Canyon hike to Phantom Ranch; Glacier National Park

• Dessert: Chocolate mousse or any chocolate cake

• Best Gift: His two daughters

• Music: 80s & 90s playlists

• Podcast: Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! (NPR)

• Favorite City: Amsterdam (and, of course, Milwaukee!)

➡️ The Pivot Playbook hosted by Salene Mazur Kraemer Fresh starts. Turnarounds. Reinvention in business and life. 📍 www.MazurKraemer.com #ThePivotPlaybook #MazurKraemer #Podcast #BusinessLaw #BankruptcyLaw #CreditorsRights #Leadership #Resilience #TurnaroundStories #IWIRC #ABCBoardCertified

Guest: Ed Boltz Location: Durham, North Carolina (statewide practice) Role: Consumer bankruptcy attorney (debtors in Ch. 7 & 13); large NC consumer firm (~12 lawyers, ~70 staff) Credentials & Service:

• Board Certified bankruptcy specialist since 2004 (legacy; transitioned to ABC in 2007)

• ABC Board member; Standards/Recertification committee experience

• Student-loan expertise: Contributed to DOJ/Dept. of Education adversary-proceeding guidelines (2022); alt. member, DOE negotiating rulemaking committee

• Active with NACBA and related consumer practice groups

What we cover

• Ed’s path from Michigan → North Carolina and into consumer bankruptcy (no classes in law school—learned by doing!)

• Running a high-volume consumer practice: why paralegal ops matter and how the work is equal parts law + social work

• Student loans in/around bankruptcy: how the 2022 DOJ/DOE guidance opened doors, and coordinating non-BK and BK options

• Boundaries & burnout: being compassionate without carrying every client’s entire life home

• The stigma of bankruptcy and why clients should talk to counsel earlier (before making avoidable mistakes)

• A favorite moment: a car-wash selfie with a young man whose family kept their home through a Chapter 13—the “why” behind the work

• Storytelling, community, and purpose: Ed’s local storytelling nonprofit (The Monti) and why narrative skills make better lawyers

Key takeaways

• Don’t wait. Most consumers would be better off meeting a bankruptcy lawyer sooner, not after doing “fixes” that cause clawbacks/delays.

• Student-loan relief is evolving. With the 2022 DOJ/DOE framework, undue hardship cases are more navigable—if you know the playbook.

• Compassion + boundaries = sustainable advocacy. Hold empathy, set limits, serve the next client well.

• Consumer practice is retail law: systems, staffing, and consistent communication are everything.

Notable quotes

“Most people would have been better off if they came to see a bankruptcy attorney sooner.” “Our clients can drain the emotional well—compassion needs boundaries so we can help the next person.” “I love finding a Chapter 11 idea and translating it to Chapter 13—if it’s good for the goose, it’s good for the gander.” “Bankruptcy law can feel like a magic wand when used well—homes and futures get saved.”

Rapid-fire highlights

• Law school: George Washington (GW Law)

• Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis

• Streaming: Ozark; currently Hightown

• Movies: The Lord of the Rings (also loves classic comedy Blazing Saddles)

• Recent trip: A week in Barcelona with his daughters

• Dessert: Anything chocolate + peanut butter; signature strawberry-rhubarb pie

• Best gift: Great-grandfather’s pocket watch (family heirloom)

• Last song: “I’m Broke” — Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears

• Podcast pick: Swindled

• Pet: “Nessie,” a sweet Carolina dog

• Favorite city visited: Istanbul

Guest links

• The Monti (storytelling nonprofit): https://www.themonti.org/storytellers/ed-boltz 

• Ed’s professional profile/firm: https://www.billsbills.com/attorneys/edward-c-boltz 

Host: Salene Mazur Kraemer Podcast: The Pivot Playbook — Fresh starts, turnarounds, and real-life resilience. CTA: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Share this episode with a friend who’s navigating debt or a big life pivot.

Ella shares her inspiring journey from private practice in Seattle to her “dream job” writing and maintaining national bankruptcy and restructuring content. She opens up about her passion for mentorship, her leadership in launching the BBC Match Portal—a first-of-its-kind platform connecting lawyers to writing and speaking opportunities—and her mission to make the bankruptcy bar more welcoming to new practitioners.

From municipal healthcare restructurings to balancing work and motherhood in Minneapolis, Ella reminds us that bankruptcy practice is about more than numbers — it’s about people, community, and service.

Ella Vincent Senior Specialist Legal Editor, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practical Law | Thomson Reuters Based in: Minneapolis, Minnesota

• American Bar Association – Business Bankruptcy Committee (BBC)

  • Chair, Young and New Lawyer Subcommittee

  • Coordinator, BBC Match Portal Initiative

• Transitioning from private practice to legal publishing

• Developing bankruptcy and restructuring content for Thomson Reuters Practical Law

• The launch and purpose of the ABA BBC’s Match Portal

• Mentorship, connection, and growth for young attorneys

• The real-life impact of restructuring work — from hospitals to communities

• Work-life balance, motherhood, and rediscovering creative hobbies like baking and sewing

• “Bankruptcy is not a theoretical practice — it has real-life implications for people and communities.”

• “Getting involved early gives clients more options — and better outcomes.”

• “Mentorship opens doors and makes our profession stronger.”

• First job: fishmonger — “It taught me customer service, preparation, and knowing your product.”

• Favorite dessert: anything chocolate — from cookies to flourless torts.

• Favorite vacation: snorkeling with sea turtles in Kona, Hawaii.

• Annual tradition: the Minnesota State Fair with her husband and young son.

LinkedIn – Ella Vincent Thomson Reuters Practical Law ABA Business Bankruptcy Committee

Salene Mazur Kraemer, Esq. The Pivot Playbook — Rescuing Business, Redesigning Midlife www.MazurKraemer.com

They discuss her journey from Spanish major to bankruptcy attorney, her deep ties to IWIRC’s Carolinas Network, and how she balances professional purpose with her roles as a mom of three and an adoption advocate. Jennifer shares wisdom on why clients should “never wait too long” to seek help, and the profound satisfaction that comes from saving not just a business — but a community.

Guest: Jennifer Lyday Firm: Waldrip, Wall, Babcock & Bailey, Winston-Salem, NC Website: https://www.waldrepwall.com/ Professional Affiliations: International Women’s Insolvency and Reorganization Confederation (Vice Director of Member Services, 2024 Board of Directors; Board Member and Former Communications Chair of the Carolinas Network)

Topics Covered:

• Jennifer’s path from Wake Forest to William & Mary Law, and how a mentor sparked her passion for bankruptcy law.

• The power of female representation in federal practice areas and the supportive network of IWIRC.

• Her love for Chapter 12 farming clients and rural hospitals, where legal work truly transforms lives.

• Insights for business owners in distress — and what not to do when facing financial trouble.

• Adoption and motherhood: building family through love, faith, and openness.

• Her favorite things — from hiking the Camino de Santiago to Christian metal playlists.

Key Takeaways:

• “You can’t come to an insolvency practitioner too soon.”

• “Integrity and gratitude make the best clients.”

• “When you stabilize a hospital, you stabilize a community.”

Connect with Jennifer:

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lyday-5509251b/

Host: Salene Mazur Kraemer Podcast: The Pivot Playbook — Rescuing Business, Redesigning Midlife