When it comes to helping clients understand the process of bankruptcy, and making sure that their mind is at ease, Elizabeth Lamphier is an expert. Elizabeth’s mission is to fight for the underdog, for those who find themselves on the verge of financial ruin due to circumstances beyond their control. “I’m the type of person who fights for what is right, I just can’t sit by and watch good hardworking people suffer economic injustice.” Though Elizabeth is a relatively new attorney, her experience in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy have exposed her to more examples of foreclosures, garnishments, and creditor abuse than most attorneys see in their career.
“ … the idea of helping people appealed to me, it was then that I knew I wanted to be a bankruptcy attorney. My favorite part of working with clients is listening to their problems and working with them to find solutions. ”
Growing up the child of educators in South Haven Michigan, Elizabeth was always taught to treat everyone with respect no matter what their circumstances. “My parents stressed that everyone should be treated fairly, I took that lesson to heart and knew from an early age that I wanted to be a lawyer so that I could help people that can’t help themselves.” This desire led Elizabeth to Kalamazoo College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Spanish. During her time in Kalamazoo, Elizabeth studied abroad in Caceres Spain for a year. It was there that Elizabeth become fluent in Spanish. In fact, she is so proficient in Spanish that her 100 plus page thesis was written entirely in Spanish. From there, Elizabeth went on to law school in East Lansing at Michigan State University College of Law. To say that Elizabeth did well at law school is an understatement. While there, Elizabeth was the Senior Articles editor for the Michigan State Law Review, had several articles published in the Law Review, and received over a dozen Jurispridence Awards for receiving the highest grade of all students in her class. One of these Jurispridence awards was received for her Bankruptcy class. Her performance was so impressive that professor hired her as a research assistant. “It was working for Professor Lawton that I really got exposed to the world of bankruptcy. The issues fascinated me and the idea of helping people appealed to me, it was then that I knew I wanted to be a bankruptcy attorney.” Elizabeth graduated with the highest honors possible from law school, and was hired shortly thereafter by Mapes Law Offices. “I’m thrilled that I have been able to return home to west Michigan, help people through rough times, and do something I love. My favorite part of working with clients is listening to their problems and working with them to find solutions.” Whether it is helping clients file for bankruptcy, stopping foreclosures, or negotiating settlements with creditors, Elizabeth is in her element. “This job allows me to stick up for the ‘little guy’ and give them hope when they had none, to me that is a very gratifying feeling.” — Elizabeth Lamphier
