Lawyering

My Time at Faucher Law by Paris

Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy Aftermath, Business, Did You Know?, John's Favorites & Recommendations, Lawyering, Life Lessons

Before I started at Faucher Law, I was finishing up my MSA (master of science in accounting) at San Diego State University. When I used to tell people about my accounting background, they asked if I liked tax, and my answer was always NO! Now here I am, half a year later, switching my answer: I kind of love tax! Listed below are the most surprising things I have learned at my time at Faucher Law and how they have changed my perspective on tax and bankruptcy. Read more »
February 12, 2024

Why I’m “Only” Assertive and Not Antagonistic

Bankruptcy, Lawyering, Taxes

Here’s something I discuss on the landing page of my website, because I think it’s that important: I’m assertive but not antagonistic. Okay. So what? Some clients are so angry with the IRS they want to use me primarily for revenge, even if their case would have a better outcome if we approached the adversary calmly Read more »
October 13, 2021

Hard Truths for Debtors Who Procrastinate

Bankruptcy Procedure, Lawyering, Life Lessons, Pre-Bankruptcy Planning, Tax Collection Issues

Since the fall, I have seen a big uptick in desperate people calling me for tax or bankruptcy help. What kind of desperation? These people have been either on the IRS’s radar, or been having debt problems, for many years and then the crisis hits: the IRS puts a lien on a house, or a creditor gets a default judgment and the sheriff Read more »
September 23, 2021

Tax Issues in Divorce: Who Represents Who?

Bankruptcy Aftermath, Courts, IRS, Lawyering, Taxes

Katie Clunen is a sharp family law attorney in Westlake Village, CA. She recently asked me whether a couple with tax issues going through a divorce need separate attorneys to deal with the tax problem, or whether they can jointly hire a tax attorney. Watch this short Vlog for the answer. Read more >>
February 12, 2021

Why I Practice Tax Law

Lawyering, Life Lessons, Rule of Law, Taxes

My life left the path of “average” when my father, a research chemist, received a posting in his company’s sales division in Geneva, Switzerland. Read more >>
February 10, 2021

A Dream Job

Lawyering, Life Lessons, Tax Litigation, Taxes

I love what I do. Intervening on behalf of my clients in tax audits, or helping people shed crippling debt, allows me to (1) draw on prior professional experience at the IRS and elsewhere, Read more >>
May 2, 2017

Bankruptcy, Humility & Happiness

Lawyering, Life Lessons

I have a bankruptcy client who had been a high-earning executive with an ad agency. But he lost his job, savings and even retirement nest egg in the real estate crash. He now lives in a rental in the Valley Read more >>
April 24, 2013

Judge Riblet on the Absolute Priority Rule

BAPCPA, Courts, Lawyering

The Absolute Priority Rule is an arcane part of the Bankruptcy Code (see 11 USC § 1129(b)(2)(B)(ii)). It says that, in a Chapter 11 plan, lower classes of creditors cannot be paid anything unless higher classes have either been paid in full Read more >>
January 18, 2013

Why Hiding Information In Bankruptcy Isn’t Good Strategy

Bankruptcy, Lawyering, Trustee

Attorneys often try to hide a client’s information, disclosing as little as possible. This legal strategy sometimes has comical effects, as in this exchange I heard in a deposition:Read more >>
October 15, 2012