Jim Gold and Norma Hammes have been leaders in the bankruptcy community for over 40 years. Some of their achievements include:
- Beginning in the 1980s, they helped develop consumer-oriented bankruptcy case law locally, in California, the western United States (9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals), and the U.S. Supreme Court including cases on lien valuations and avoidance, particularly limiting money car lenders can demand from Chapter 13 clients.
- Norma testified before Congress (1998).
- Both Jim and Norma testified before the National Bankruptcy Review Commission (1996-7).
- Both Jim and Norma were co-founders of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) in 1992.
- Norma served as President of NACBA (1997-2001), as a Director (1992-2009) and still serves on NACBA’s Legislative Committee.
- Jim and Norma have both served as Chair of the local Chapter 13 Committee several times since 1990.
- Both have received numerous awards for service to the bankruptcy community in Santa Clara County and nationwide.
- Both have served as legal education panelists and moderators at numerous events across the country, sponsored by organizations including NACBA, the National Association of Chapter 13 Attorneys, and the American Bankruptcy Institute.
Jim and Norma have been quoted in news articles and referenced in reports over many years.
2017: NACBA. 25 Years of Raising Hell, the Education, Advocacy & Litigation That Shaped NACBA.
2016: The Bankruptcy Soap Box. Little Guys, Big Banks, And The Quest For Change
2015: California Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary. Hearing on SB 585
2011: Center for Public Integrity. Obama’s new plan for underwater mortgages may be too little too late
2011: CreditSlips. Principal Pay Down in Chapter 13 as a Means of Foreclosure Prevention
2010: NACTT. Academy Webinar (HAMP in Bankruptcy) announced
2010: Bay Area News Group. The Housing Bubble – The Next Michigan?
2009: Mortgage Professional America. A Time for Good Judgment
2009: NACBA Convention Keynote Speaker and recipient of Extraordinary Service Award (Norma)
2006: University of Texas School of Law, Continuing Legal Education. Speaker at the 2006 Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Conference
2006: ABI. A Year After BAPCPA
2005: New York Times. Bracing for a bankruptcy rush
2003: Chicago Tribune. Equity borrowing begins to raise bankruptcy concerns
2001: San Francisco Chronicle. New bill to make bankruptcy filing harder than ever
2001: Businessweek. The bankruptcy business is booming
1998: Talk of the Nation (NPR). Bankruptcy bill update
1998: NACBA Praises Defeat of Credit Card Company-Sponsored Bankruptcy Bill
1998: U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. Testimony
1998: American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) – National Bankruptcy Review Commission
1998: New York Times. A bankruptcy rush, Just in case
1997: ABI Consumer Bankruptcy Reform Forum in Alexandria, VA.
1997: The Augusta Chronicle. Pay off debt weighed
1996: Businessweek. Best moves if you’re broke