In law school, Rory Vohwinkel envisioned a future of high-stakes real estate attorney, negotiating contracts and closing deals. But before long, he realized that he preferred making a difference in people’s lives and helping them get back on their feet when they were down.
And so, he became a bankruptcy attorney.
“I think bankruptcy remains very misunderstood by the public,” he says. “People think of the game ‘Monopoly’ when they think of bankruptcy — filing for bankruptcy means you lose all of your money, all of your property, and the game is over.
“In reality, bankruptcy is a fresh start and in most cases, lets people keep their assets intact. It can provide beneficial options to deal with specific financial issues, such as dealing with IRS debt or saving a home from foreclosure. And bankruptcy certainly doesn’t mean a life of bad credit. In fact, in most cases, bankruptcy actually helps credit scores in the long term. There’s a very negative stigma alongside bankruptcy and it’s my goal to educate and inform people that it is just another tool to help get through tough times.”
Vohwinkel is the founder and managing attorney for the boutique firm Vohwinkel Law.
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?
When I was a kid and was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I always answered with lawyer. Sometimes an astronaut, but I was too tall to be a pilot so that dream wasn’t going to work out.
How has the pandemic affected your practice?
Of course, we are doing our part to maintain social distancing by working completely remote, which has its challenges and benefits. I personally enjoy the remote hearings. There are often times where we’re required to be in court for a five-minute hearing. The remote hearings are more efficient and free up additional time to focus on clients. It’s absolutely something the courts should consider keeping in place, even after the pandemic has ended. Of course, the downside of working remotely is not getting to meet clients face-to-face, which is an aspect of the job that I thoroughly enjoy. There are also the technological difficulties for clients who sometimes have trouble with the virtual meetings, which can be frustrating for all parties.
From a filings standpoint, the CARES Act, along with the eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, have kept the bankruptcies low during the pandemic, which is great. However, as the pandemic ends, unemployment runs out and the moratoriums expire, there will likely be a higher amount of people facing financial adversities.
Do you think there will be many bankruptcies locally due to COVID-19 and the resulting high unemployment rate?
Yes, absolutely. However, we don’t anticipate seeing the big bankruptcy numbers until after the new year, due to the stimulus checks, additional unemployment money and moratoriums on foreclosures and evictions, which was just extended. We hope people are planning ahead, but the unfortunate fact is that most will not.
What kind of lawsuits are being filed as a result of the pandemic?
The courts were closed for much of the pandemic, so there were actually very few lawsuits being filed. We’re just now seeing the courts reopen, which is resulting in creditors suing for credit card debt and landlords moving forward with certain types of evictions.
How many are on your team and what is your management style?
We are definitely more like a family with four of us, including myself, which allows me to really have a day-to-day involvement with our clients. I have a very hands-on management style, in that I like to be involved in everything that happens in the office. The most common complaint from people in need of a law firm is that the lawyer never calls them back. I make it a point to make myself available to all my clients, whether it’s a phone call or a simple email.
What’s the biggest case you’re handling right now?
I recently resolved a case that dealt with a bankruptcy and an impending divorce. Prior to filing for bankruptcy, the client officially separated and moved out of the house she owned with her husband. Because of this, she was not allowed to use a Homestead Exemption to protect her equity in the house. Had she lived in the house, her equity would have been protected up to $605,000, but because she had moved out at the time of bankruptcy filing, she was going to lose out on the equity. Luckily, we were able to negotiate with the trustee, which allowed her and her husband to jointly keep the house, which they will be able to either sell or refinance and recoup the equity, helping her get the fresh start she deserves.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve received?
On your death bed you’ll never wish you’d spent more time at the office. I take my work very seriously, but when I look back, I hope I can say I spent time with the people who mattered most to me and did the things I am most passionate about.
What is the best part about being a lawyer in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is still very much a small town in a lot of ways. Sure, we now have 40 judges at the District Court level, up from 12 when I first started, but you still see a lot of the same people at the courthouse you went to high school with, which is unique and keeps it interesting.
How do you wind down after a busy week?
Sports are a great outlet for me after a busy week. Now, more than ever, it’s important to keep your mind and body healthy, so on the weekends, you can typically find me playing or coaching volleyball, soccer, cycling, hiking or tennis. I love anything that can provide some exercise and get the competitive juices flowing. And when I’m not actually participating in a sport, you can find me watching one. I’m a Las Vegas native, so I’m of course a huge Vegas Golden Knights fan.
What is at the top of your bucket list?
Traveling the world. I’ve only recently started traveling abroad and prior to the pandemic, I had the opportunity to travel to some really incredible places, like Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Munich, Paris, Mallorca, Barcelona, Rome and Marseilles. When the pandemic ends and traveling restrictions are eliminated, my wife and I will be planning our next trip. We’ll probably start in the Virgin Islands for a warm-weather vacation first and then would love to experience Japan.