by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
LeeAnn Bennett was planning to get her master’s degree when she decided to take a job in the local bankruptcy court near Wilson, N.C. She liked it so much she forgot about the master’s, got her paralegal degree and has been involved in bankruptcy court ever since.
Today, Bennett is the new Clerk of Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida that encompasses Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. As such, she and her staff of 164 work for nine judges. Her $9 million budget and heavy caseload make the Middle District the country’s fifth-largest bankruptcy court.
“I handle the administrative duties of the court,” said Bennett, who was in town last week for the Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association meeting where she was officially introduced by Mike Shadburn, deputy in charge of the Jacksonville division of Bankruptcy Court.
Bennett handles the office’s budget, facilities issues, human resources and case administration.
“You can compare what I do to running any other organization,” said Bennett, who will be in Jacksonville twice a month.
Bennett is amazed she’s made a career of the legal profession.
“I had no idea I would achieve what I’ve achieved,” said Bennett, who started out as a case manager. “It is a great place to work and I love the atmosphere and the people. It’s a large court, but we are very much like family. I can’t think of doing anything else.”