Danielle Scimeca, a third-year student at Drake University Law School, has been selected as a 2016 Distinguished Law Student for the Eighth Circuit by the American College of Bankruptcy.
Formed in 1989, the American College of Bankruptcy is an honorary professional and educational association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals.
Each year, the College selects Distinguished Law Students from law schools in half the federal circuits. This year, the College awarded students from the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits. Students from the remaining Circuits will be honored in 2017.
Students undergo a rigorous nomination process, beginning with a recommendation from a College Fellow, professor, or dean. According to a press release by the American College of Bankruptcy, nominated students must demonstrate “outstanding academic credentials and an interest in bankruptcy law.”
All nominated students are then considered by the counsel of their respective Circuits. Scimeca was selected as the Eighth Circuit Distinguished Law Student out of nominees from law schools in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
“Being selected as the Eighth Circuit Distinguished Law Student for the American College of Bankruptcy is an incredible honor,” Scimeca said.
While in law school, Scimeca has focused on business and commercial related law, and she has taken many related courses including business associations, secured transactions, federal income tax, debtor-creditor, and business planning.
She has also served as a student attorney for Drake’s Transactional Business/Non-Profits Clinic as well as a judicial intern for Chief Bankruptcy Judge Anita Shodeen for the Southern District of Iowa.
“My interest in bankruptcy law began in Professor Doré’s debtor-creditor course,” Scimeca said. “My judicial internship with Chief Judge Shodeen solidified this interest and gave me the confidence to be open to practicing bankruptcy in the future. I am truly thankful for both of them.”
The honorees were awarded an all-expense paid trip to the American College of Bankruptcy’s annual spring meeting in Washington, D.C., on March 18-19.
The Distinguished Law Students induction ceremony was held at the Smithsonian Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture Museum and was presided over by Michael L. Cook, chair of the College.
During the trip, Scimeca also had the opportunity to meet distinguished bankruptcy practitioners and judges from across the country. She attended the Eighth Circuit lunch and spoke with many of the Eighth Circuit Fellows, in addition to spending time with her fellow Distinguished Law Student honorees from the other Circuits.
“Attending the American College of Bankruptcy annual meeting in D.C. was an amazing experience,” Scimeca said. “It was interesting to discuss current bankruptcy and commercial law related issues with others and share my law school experiences.”
Learn more about the American College of Bankruptcy Distinguished Law Students.