While researching SCOTUS Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for my MLS 512 class digital archive assignment, I was inspired to look up the SCOTUS ruling on United Student Aid Funds, Inc. v Espinosa. Today is the 14th anniversary of when the March 23, 2010 decision was issued.
United Student Aid Funds, Inc. v Espinosa landed with SCOTUS in part due to Dan’s legal briefs and record on appeal. The student loan company had repeatedly violated Dan’s client Espinosa’s bankruptcy discharge and those violations were tied to the lender trying to collect interest on the loan after the Chapter 13 case had been confirmed and later closed.
This case was argued before SCOTUS on Dec. 1, 2009. Dan and I flew to D.C. and while it was an amazing trip, he was anxious the whole time. He was terrified that, with the ideological split of the court, they would lose the case and his client would owe both attorney’s fees and interest on the loan.
In this photo, Dan is feeling that weight on his shoulders.
After the hearing, as we descended the steps, NPR’s Supreme Court reporter Nina Totenberg approached Dan to talk about the case. He wasn’t into it, but she gave him some hope and told him she thought they would rule in favor of his client.
Ultimately, SCOTUS – even as the split court it was – ruled 9-0 in favor of Espinosa on this day in 2010.
Read the decision.
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