April N. Kersten

April Kersten joined Dickerson Law Firm, P.A. in 2008 and serves as Staff Attorney for the Pine Bluff office. She received her law degree from the University of Arkansas Leflar School of Law in Fayetteville where she graduated cum laude. She is licensed to practice in all state courts of Arkansas including the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts. She is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA).

Why did you choose to practice bankruptcy? 
In law school you take a lot of classes that involve a lot of reading and debating the fine details of laws. However, I never felt like I took a class that dealt directly with individual people and how the law can directly help and change them until I took the Federal Clinic at the University my final year of law school. It was in that clinic, that I filed my first bankruptcy, pro bono, for a young family. It was a marvelous experience getting to know them and their young children while discussing the struggles they faced. I felt pride and satisfaction in aiding them in getting a fresh start on their lives and removing the overwhelming burden of medical debts and creditors. It was that experience that made me feel like a true lawyer and was more important than all the good grades and tests in other courses.

What do you like best about our firm, clients, Arkansas, etc?
My favorite aspect of Dickerson Law Firm has to be all the clients. Our clients become a bit like family over time as you get to know them. I have been able to have so many joyful moments with clients, for instance in Pine Bluff I was able to personally hand one of our clients the deed to his home which we had struggled and worked so hard to get for him throughout his bankruptcy. He was full of tears of joy, which is a memory I will never forget. My clients bring such courage and humor to their everyday lives that it is great being able to work with them in the face of creditor and debt challenges. My favorite thing about Arkansas is that I am here with my family so I can enjoy activities and celebrations with them and of course, the Hogs.