Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist

My practice is focused on handling only Consumer bankruptcy cases, rendering me an exceptional resource and ally in these matters. As a Board Certified Specialist in consumer bankruptcy from the American Board of Certification, I have attained a level of expertise in Bankruptcy law that only a handful of Michigan attorneys possess. This expertise always results in savings that vastly outweigh the amount of money spent on legal fees and filings in a bankruptcy case.

Educational Achievements:

• High School Diploma, Milford High School, Milford MI., June 1981
• Bachelor of Science, Criminalistics and Forensic Science, Michigan State University, June 1987
• Juris Doctor, University of Detroit School of Law, 3.7 GPA, Class Rank: 1st in Class, December1991

Educational Awards:

• Michigan Higher Education Award for Academic Excellence.
• Michigan Jurisprudence Award (Book awards-Torts, Civil Procedure, Insurance Law).
• Dean's List all terms of attendance in Law School.
• Dean's Scholarship for Academic Excellence, University of Detroit School of Law.

Professional Memberships and Associations:

• State of Michigan Bar Association.
• US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan Federal Bar
• Consumer Bankruptcy Association
• National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
• American Bankruptcy Institute

Continuing Legal Education:

• ABI Fourth Annual Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, Traverse City MI., June 1997-12 Hrs.
• Bankruptcy Practice 1998 Seminar, PESI Inc., Novi MI, May 1998-7 Hrs.
• ABI 5th Annual Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, Traverse City, MI- June 1998-12 Hrs.
• New Local Bankruptcy Rules Seminar, Oakland County Bar Association, Birmingham MI, September, 1998-3.5 Hrs.
• Bankruptcy Practice 1999 Seminar, PESI Inc., Novi MI, April 1999-7 Hrs.
• ABI 6th Annual Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, Traverse City, MI- June 1999-12 Hrs.
• Chapter 13 Seminar, Consumer Bankruptcy Association and Office of the Chapter 13 Standing Trustee-Detroit, Troy MI- September 1999-7 Hrs.
• ABI Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, Traverse City, MI-June 2000-8.75 Hrs.
• National Business Institute Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Issues in Michigan, Southfield, MI.-October, 2000-7 Hrs.
• National Business Institute Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Issues in Michigan, Southfield, MI.-October, 2001-7 Hrs.
• Local Bankruptcy Seminar, Consumer Bankruptcy Association 2002 Seminar, Troy MI- March 2002-5.7 Hrs.
• NACBA-National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Tenth Annual Convention/Seminar, April 26-28, 2002, Las Vegas NV.-11 CLE Hrs.
• ABI 2002 Central States Bankruptcy Workshop, Traverse City, MI-June 2002-8.75 Hrs
• Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association-CBA, Michigan Public Act 123, November 13,2002-2 Hrs.
• LAW 314 SEC. 75-Winter Semester January 2003 to May 2003: Course Title DEBTOR-CREDITOR (Creditors Rights and Debtors Remedies, Instructor Timothy Fusco, 3 Semester Credit Hours, University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law (evening section). 45 Hours. total.
• FAMILY LAW ISSUES IN CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY SEMINAR: April 23, 2003. 1.5 hours.
• ABI 2003 Central States 10th Bankruptcy Workshop, Traverse City, MI-June 2003-8.25 CLE Hrs
• Oakland Mediation Centers CONFLICT MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP, Jan. Feb. 2004. 8 Hrs. (Non CLE)
• Bankruptcy Mortgage Financing/Refinance Out of Chapter 13-Vision Mortgage Workshop, 4-30-04m 2 Hrs
• ABI 2004 Central States 10th Bankruptcy Workshop, Traverse City, MI-June 2004-8.25 CLE Hrs
• Consumer Bar Association: Ultimate Introductory Bankruptcy Seminar, June 11, 2004-4.25 Hrs
• Raising The Bar On USBC Professionalism. Oakland Mediation Center, July 30th, 2004-4 Hrs
• New Bankruptcy Code Seminar, Cobo Center Detroit, MI June 3, 2005, 1:00pm to 4:00pm -4 Hrs
• ABI American Bankruptcy Institute 2005 Central States 12th Annual Bankruptcy Workshop, Traverse City, MI-June 16-19th 2004-8.5 CLE Credit Hrs.
• Understanding the Radical Bankruptcy Code Changes: Consumer Bankruptcy Under the New Code: Commercial Law League of America and its Bankruptcy Section Fund (Telephonically recorded), June 23, 2005-2 Hrs
• Understanding the New Bankruptcy Reform Act: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know-ICLE (Institute for Continuing Legal Education), MSU Management Education Center, Troy MI, July 26th, 2005-5.25 Hrs
• Best Case Bankruptcy Reform Update-Chicago Marriott, Chicago IL, July 28th, 2005, 1 Hr
• National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA), Fighting Back: Helping Debtors Survive the New Bankruptcy Law, A Bankruptcy Practice Workshop, July 29th 30th, 2005, Chicago Marriott Hotel Downtown Magnificent Mile, Chicago IL.-13.5 Hrs
• New Code Consumer Bankruptcy Association Meeting: Are you a Debt Relief Agency? Chief Judge Steven W. Rhodes, August 25th, 2005, 215 S. Washington, Royal Oak MI 48067. 1.5 Hrs
• New Code Consumer Bankruptcy Association Meeting: NACTT National Association of Chapter Thirteen Trustees Video Presentation: BAPCPA, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, September 20th, 2005, 215 S. Washington, Royal Oak MI 48067. 1.5 Hrs
• New Code Consumer Bankruptcy Association Meeting: Group Presentations: Domestic Support Obligations Group, Automatic Stay Group, Chapter 13 Issues/Plan Modifications/Model Plan Group: Adequate Protection Group, Local Rules/Case Law Monitoring: BAPCPA, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, September 27th, 2005, 215 S. Washington, Royal Oak MI 48067. 2.5 Hrs
• New Code Consumer Bankruptcy Association Meeting: Group Presentations: Valuations and Exemptions Group, Credit Counseling, Documentation and Reporting Group, Pre-Petition Credit Counseling Group: Discharge and Dismissal Group, Reaffirmation Issues Group: Co-Presenter Means Test Group: BAPCPA, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, October 11th, 2005, 215 S. Washington, Royal Oak MI 48067. 3.0 Hrs

Compassion, empathy, and understanding.

I understand the fear, shame, anger, and anxiety associated with going through a financial crisis. Bill collectors call and send letters to create those feelings in hopes that you will pay them. Sometimes, however, you simply cannot pay them back due to a divorce, injury, illness, or job loss. I treat my clients with the respect and dignity they deserve and help them to find a course of action that will stop the harassment and abuse of creditors who seek to tear them down.

Together, we can devise a plan that will get you out of debt and give you a fresh new start. Whether it be bankruptcy or an alternative, I help my clients find the light at the end of the tunnel. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact me, Detroit debt relief attorney Walter Metzen.