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Bankruptcy filing inspires Miller to go to law school

Bankruptcy filing inspires Miller to go to law school

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Jamie Miller (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)
Jamie Miller (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)

What could have been a low point – a family business going through bankruptcy – became the impetus for Jamie Miller’s legal career.

During bankruptcy proceedings for the Ohio family business Miller worked at after earning his undergraduate degree, he said he “befriended the bankruptcy judge and really learned a lot about the process,” which inspired Miller to go to law school.

After his graduation from the University of Miami Law School, Miller and his wife, who is an attorney and a Wisconsin native, decided to move to Milwaukee.

Miller now handles bankruptcy cases at Miller & Miller LLC, Milwaukee.

“Bankruptcy law is great,” he said. “People come to you at their lowest point in life and you’re able to help them. It’s amazing to see them come in the door and be so down, but then you give them their options and possible solutions and they leave with hope.”

Miller said he also appreciates how quickly bankruptcy cases move.

“It’s usually about 90 days for Chapter 7. It’s rare that cases move that quickly in the law,” he said. “I’m not saying bankruptcy is easy, but people come through it and feel like they have a new beginning of sorts, and there’s less stress since they aren’t being called by creditors.”

Miller said he appreciates the congenial nature of eastern Wisconsin’s bankruptcy bar, which is fairly small.

“An attorney from a mortgage company may come to me and talk about different ways to save a house, if that’s involved,” he said. “There are also just four bankruptcy judges who handle the Eastern Wisconsin District and they do a great job. They respect attorneys’ time and try to get things done as efficiently as possible.”

Though bankruptcy filings are dropping back to pre-2008 levels, Miller said he’s always busy because “people are always having money problems.”

Talking to people about their money woes isn’t always easy, though.

“I really focus on making people comfortable,” he said. “I look for ways to slip in a chuckle or a joke, but it’s never easy. I really help them focus on the end result and getting them a new start.”

Wisconsin Law Journal: What was your favorite class in law school?
Jamie Miller: Constitutional law was my favorite. It helps you understand the changing laws over time, and how those laws can change in response to cultural and political currents. Many issues we study deal with moral political issues and those types of issues are always thought provoking.

WLJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Miller: If I could change something, it would be that I would be able to relax more and not worry so much about things that are not in my control.

WLJ: What activity outside of work could you spend hours doing?
Miller: I enjoy playing basketball. I have been playing basketball with the some of the same people for at least 20 years. I find it to be a great stress reliever.

WLJ: What person would you like to have drinks with?
Miller: I know it sounds trite, but Michael Jordan. He is a very dedicated, competitive individual, and I think his focus on the basketball court is something that can be learned from in order to help people be successful with whatever they do.

WLJ: What was the first concert you attended?
Miller: Styx at the Cleveland Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. It was the Grand Illusion tour. I still enjoy seeing the lead singer Dennis DeYoung today.

WLJ: What was your favorite toy as a child?
Miller: NFL Strategy. It was the vibrating game that moved your toy players up and down the metal field.

WLJ: If you could vacation anywhere, where you pick?
Miller: Aspen, Colo. The natural beauty, outdoor sports and great restaurants are just wonderful.

WLJ: What is your favorite activity to do in Wisconsin?
Miller: Travel to Door County with my family

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