Professor C. Scott Pryor is professor of law at the Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where among other courses he teaches bankruptcy law and has organized a bankruptcy practicum where law students gain academic credit while working with a local firm or bankruptcy trustee. He was the ABI’s spring 2013 resident scholar. He has written or co-authored numerous articles including many on various aspects of bankruptcy law and the intersection of law and religion. Before joining the Regent faculty in 1998, Professor Pryor practiced law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Orlando Florida. He has also served as a Fulbright Scholar at the National Law University in Jodhpur, India and has been a visiting professor at the Campbell University Law School in Raleigh, North Carolina. Professor Pryor received his bachelor’s degree from Dordt College and his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
Resident Scholar Letter
My opportunity to serve as the 22nd ABI Robert M. Zinman Scholar in Residence for the Spring 2013 semester began in the cold, dark days of January. The hospitality of the entire ABI staff quickly warmed my stay in Alexandria where I hit the ground running.
From the outset my most important assignment was to reorganize the all-day Nuts and Bolts CLE program for new lawyers that would be presented at April's ABI Annual Spring Meeting. With the help of my fellow panelists, I reorganized the program and over the course of three months rewrote all the materials distributed to those who attended. I expect that these materials will stand future "Nuts and Bolts" programs in good stead.
Later in January I moderated a call-in media briefing on current Chapter 9 cases and what lies ahead in municipal financial distress in 2013. The conference participants included Judge Christopher M. Klein who is overseeing the bankruptcy case of Stockton, California and Professor Juliet M. Moringiello, a previous ABI Resident Scholar.
One of the most enjoyable parts of my experience in this position were the frequent opportunities to record podcasts that were posted on the ABI website. An interesting article or book would be published and the ABI staff would contact the author and arrange a time for me to ask questions. You can find seven of my podcasts (along with many others) here. Together with many phone calls from members of the media about trends in bankruptcy filings or significant cases, I kept current with all the latest developments in the world of bankruptcy.
My time as Resident Scholar also included participating in panel presentations at the Annual Spring Meeting as well as the Bankruptcy Fundamental Program as part of the 15th Annual New York City Bankruptcy Conference. Both conferences were great opportunities to teach young lawyers and share time with leading bankruptcy judges and professionals.
My final major project was to organize and draft materials for an on-demand CLE program addressing the intersection between the bankruptcy concept of property of the estate and the common law doctrines relating to equitable interests in property. I recruited Andrew Kull, the reporter for the American Law Institute’s new Restatement (Third) Restitution and Unjust Enrichment, and together we recorded a 90-minute in-depth CLE program that should be a great benefit to the bankruptcy community.
This past semester has been an enriching personal and professional experience. I greatly enjoyed being part of an organization that has such a dedicated and loyal membership and leadership. I wish to thank Executive Director Sam Gerdano for his foresight and insight. It was an honor to contribute to ABI's mission and I am grateful to have been granted this opportunity.
Finally, I offer a warm welcome the next Resident Scholar, Professor Kara Bruce of the University of Toledo Law School.
C. Scott Pryor
Professor of Law
Regent University School of Law