Fletchall, Shean D.

My favorite past time is exercising. As a child I was on a gymnastics team until the 8th grade. I began jogging and swimming more as a teen. I was on the high school cheerleading team three years of high school. I jog and swim today to stay in shape and for stress relief.

My family dog is Katy. She is my jogging partner. She is a beautiful Chihuahua -Boston Terrier mix, and she keeps me in great jogging shape.

Law School

I was born in Sandy, Oregon, and grew up in Sandy. My parents still live in Sandy. My parents are both teachers and they instilled the love of learning into me at an early age.

I began to develop an interest in the law as I finished high school. I decided that attending law school was my goal. I enjoyed the problem solving process that the law embraces.

I graduated summa cum laude from Oregon State University, in 1992, with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science.

I worked at the ASOSU Student Legal Advising office (campus law office for students) while at Oregon State. I learned that I loved helping people with legal issues. It was interesting, rewarding and challenging.

Audrey Bach was the director and lead attorney at the clinic. She is still managing the ASOSU Student Law office today. She encouraged me to attend law school (and the other students working at the clinic with me). Audrey Bach has been instrumental in assisting many students to continue their education by attending law school. I thank her for her support and encouragement of all of us. Over the years I am sure there are many more students, just like me, who continued their education thanks in part to Audrey Bach.

I graduated from the University of Oregon law school in 1998. I clerked at a personal injury law office while in law school. I enjoyed helping people injured in accidents. I felt like what I did made a difference in their lives.

Understanding Family Issues

While in law school I had my son. The experience of being a mother and a lawyer has led me to develop my own business and law office today. I have learned that many families face time constraint difficulties in balancing the demands of their job with the demands of their family life.

My approach to my business, is that I am flexible in scheduling appointments with families. I meet families for evening appointments and weekend appointments, in the Eugene area. This flexibility helps to meet the needs and time constraints of families that may have debt issues and need bankruptcy relief. I am able to meet people in the Albany and Roseburg areas also, but only offer the extended office hours in the Eugene office.
I offer a reasonable cost for my legal services. I understand that many families are struggling in our current economy. I assist families in filing for bankruptcy relief under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy code.

I know what it is like to be a single parent and pay for the medical costs of raising children. Many clients needing bankruptcy relief are single parents raising their children.

I know what it is like to have a high student loan payment each month. Many clients needing bankruptcy relief also have high student loan balances.

I have always enjoyed helping other people. I believe that being a lawyer gives me opportunities to help other people through legal problems. The goal I have as an attorney is to help alleviate as much stress as is possible, while explaining the legal proceedings for a client.

When Bankruptcy is a Necessity

I have seen financial stress take a toll on people's physical and mental health.

There is a time that a bankruptcy filing is a health benefit to the person filing. People can experience panic attacks, anxiety attacks, depression, muscle soreness, neck tension, increased blood pressure, risk of heart attack or stroke.

I hope that families and individuals seek guidance and information on legal options to help alleviate the debt stress, before they have some of the above adverse health consequences.

Bankruptcy is not as much a choice, as a necessity at certain times in people's lives. There is no need to be embarrassed or ashamed if a bankruptcy is needed. Bankruptcy is a federal law and a necessary step in some people's lives.

Certain factors can make a bankruptcy more likely. Most of these factors are beyond people's control.
These include:

• divorce or separation
• job loss; work injury
• medical bills
• being a single parent
• being owed back child support or spousal support
• being disabled; having no medical insurance
• having expensive medications
• and economic changes leading to the reduction or elimination of certain jobs in the economy.
  My goal is to educate families about the bankruptcy law and help them receive a "fresh start" discharging old debts, so they can move on towards a brighter future.