Allison R. Day, AV-rated partner at Genovese Joblove & Battista (GJB), initially held no interest in becoming an attorney and following in her mother’s footsteps. While Day admired her mother’s occupation, she just couldn’t picture herself in the field. She didn’t reconsider her options until her junior year in college when she decided that pursuing a law degree was exactly what she wanted to do. Today, Day’s practice encompasses all areas of insolvency-related issues from receiverships to assignment for the benefit of creditors to all aspects of bankruptcy, including representing debtors, creditors, creditor committees and trustees.
Day’s first foray into bankruptcy law was in 1987 when a family business she was involved in decided to file Chapter 11. Day assisted the company’s bankruptcy lawyer with the filing, got “bit by the bankruptcy practice bug” and ultimately went to work at his firm.
While Day credits her first employer in the world of bankruptcy with mentoring her and helping to set the foundation for her bankruptcy practice, she is also grateful to her husband for expanding her horizons nationally and considers her peers at GJB mentors as well. “I am so fortunate to be able to practice law with my best friends, many of whom have mentored me and helped me develop my practice,” noted Day. “The work ethic at the firm is of the highest caliber and we take pride in our work as lawyers and the results we achieve on behalf of our clients.”
With bankruptcy as her primary focus, Day notes that the ever-changing financial climate provides a challenging work environment. “The type of work that flourished several years ago does not exist much anymore, forcing me to be flexible in offering solutions for my clients,” explained Day. “Chapter 11 work and restructuring as a whole has declined and will most likely continue on the downward trend in the short term. Not every company is a candidate for Chapter 11 in any event; we need to explore the possibility of workouts, receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors.” Day’s practice involving assignments for the benefit of creditors began in the 1990s and she has enjoyed great success with ABCs throughout the years.
Very early in her practice, Day became heavily involved in pro bono work. In fact, she received the 2007 Put Something Back Pro Bono Bankruptcy Award for providing outstanding pro bono legal services to the needy population of Miami-Dade County. “Pro bono work is extremely satisfying and rewarding,” said Day. “Helping people who could otherwise not afford legal assistance is a wonderful feeling. Their sincere gratitude is like nothing else you can experience as a lawyer.”
Outside of work, Day continues her dedication to her practice area, educating a new crop of attorneys in the intricacies of bankruptcy law. For approximately 10 years, she has been an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, where she co-teaches the Eleanor R. and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Assistance Clinic. Prior to teaching at the University of Miami, Day was an adjunct professor teaching bankruptcy law to undergraduate students at Barry University. “I love to interact with the students and to see the excitement on their faces while learning,” noted Day. “It’s refreshing.”
While Day’s practice, pro bono work and teaching responsibilities carve out a large part of her day, she still takes time to unwind. She enjoys traveling, reading, taking photos and participating in an array of outdoor activities including crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing and hiking.
