�ǿմ�ý

Third-year law student Charles Pavelec was recently selected as the Sixth Circuit Distinguished Bankruptcy Law Student for 2025. The award was presented on March 20 at a reception in Washington, D.C. 

“The Bankruptcy Code is really complicated and can sometimes seem like fake words made up by lawyers, but it is really social policy,” he explains. “We used to just jail people who went bankrupt. So the work is really a balance of equities and making sure people can move forward with their lives.”

The award, which is vetted by committee members and respective Circuit Regents, is presented on the basis of academic excellence, professional accomplishments in bankruptcy or restructuring-related courses and other endeavors while enrolled in school that relate to insolvency issues. Other factors include a passion for, or intent to practice in, the restructuring and insolvency area, and commitment to public service and pro bono efforts.

Pavelec has been interning with Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter in Columbus since his first year of law school. He was also instrumental in relaunching the Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court team, which had lapsed in previous years. He’s now externing for a federal judge. 

“The judge that I work with explains bankruptcy can be  the worst day in someone's  life,” he said. “So when they have to go to court, we work to make sure it's as painless of an experience as possible and give them outlooks to get past it. I think that’s the most gratifying part of this work.”

After graduation in May, Pavelec will be clerking for a federal bankruptcy judge in Michigan. Looking back at his time at �ǿմ�ý, he specifically notes his bankruptcy professors as being instrumental in not only his interest in bankruptcy law, but also his experience at school. 

“Both Marvin Sicherman and Drew Parobeck are fantastic,” he said. “I had no idea this award even existed until I talked to them. They coached our moot court team and were key in helping me network within the bankruptcy law community. They’re willing to help students whenever we need it and there’s no chance I would have gotten this award without them.”