NABT MEMBER PROFILE Q & A
Member Name: Bruce A. Harwood
Email: bharwood@sheehan.com
What year did you join the panel?
2
What did you do before you became chapter 7 trustee?
Bankruptcy lawyer (still am) since 1981.
How many cases are you typically assigned each year?
400
How many people make up your staff?
3
What was your most memorable case in which you served?
There are too many to choose from, or I'm too new.
What is the most interesting case you are working on at present?
I'm currently representing the probate estate of a woman who was terrorized and ultimately murdered by her ex-husband (the debtor, a former lawyer now serving a life sentence without the possiblity of parole). Her estate holds a $7 million wrongful death judgment against him. He filed a pro se chapter 7 petition (from prison) 14 minutes before the scheduled execution sale of his remaining real estate. Her estate got emergency stay relief allowing the sheriff to conduct the sale, the proceeds of which will benefit his three children.
What was the most interesting asset you discovered and liquidated?
A stone carving that appears to be a fragment from the cornerpiece of an Afghan temple windowsill or threshhold.
What is the most difficult part of the chapter 7 job?
A tie: resisting the temptation to chase down every single interesting issue, and dealing with all of the "paperwork" (even if paperless).
What is the most enjoyable part of being a chapter 7 trustee?
Dealing with the honest and unfortunate individuals who comprise the overwhelming majority of chapter 7 debtors.
If you were to give one piece of advice to a new trustee what would that be?
Accept the notion that if you read a provision in a statute four or five times and it doesn't make sense, it's because it really doesn't make sense. BAPCPA makes this much easier to accept.
What other areas or businesses are you involved with?
I play all sides of the insolvency street: secured/unsecured/undersecured creditors; reorganizations; liquidations; restructurings; committee work; asset sales; insurance insolvencies (insurer and regulator), and the occasional mediation.
What are your hobbies?
Bicycling (mostly road); skiing; astronomy; listening to all kinds of music (live and recorded); playing as many musical instruments as I can, however poorly.
What book did you just finish reading?
"The Third Ear" by Joachim-Ernst Berendt. It's all about listening.
What is the one thing Trustees would be surprised to learn about me?
I think that the Pussycat Dolls' "Don'cha" is a seamlessly perfect icon of the contemporary American pop song. (Now just try and get that chorus out of your head).