I can’t imagine that there are many people in North Alabama who aren’t familiar with attorney Cliff Hill.  Cliff was a network news anchor for several years prior to attending law school and his law school journey was not an easy one. He would leave the news station immediately after the evening newscast and then go to law school in Birmingham five days per week. This went on for several years. Talk about dedication to the law!  Cliff is one of those people who studied virtually every aspect of the law and is very conversant on a broad spectrum of legal topics.  Now, though, he dedicates his law practice primarily to personal injury cases and social security disability.  The name of his law firm is Hill and Jordan. Cliff is very gregarious and one of those people who has never met a stranger. I hadn’t talked to him much since our oldest sons played high school football together a number of years ago. Cliff was, of course, the president of the high school football booster club.  It was great to catch up with him and learn more about his background and entry into the legal profession.    

In this episode of “Next Security Clearance Expert Up”*, I was fortunate to be able to discuss security clearance issues with Jeffrey W. Bennett who is very well respected in this field. In addition to having a combined 25 years of experience in the National Industrial Security Program, Jeff is a former Army officer with military intelligence experience and he also speaks three languages!

Jeff’s primary area of expertise is in the field of industrial security.  He has really mastered this area and eagerly shares his knowledge.  In fact, he is so prolific on this topic that he has his own publishing arm, a blog and a podcast!  

Also, since turnabout is fair play, I did this podcast with Jeff after he was kind enough to have me on his podcast discussing Security Clearance Problems and How to Solve Them.  I had never met Jeff in person prior to doing this podcast and it was great to get to know him.  He really is an important and integral contributor to our industrial security community.     

* I should note that this is the really the second episode of the “Next Security Clearance Expert Up.”  See Episode 31 for my podcast featuring Stan Miller. 

Nashville is now considered the “Bachelorette Capital” of the United States.  In that same vein, if there is a “national” hub of bankruptcy in our country, Nashville would have to be considered one of the front runners in this field as well. It also turns out that, with respect to bankruptcy filings, Tennessee usually leads the nation, year after year, in chapter 13 cases. At the center of this bankruptcy hub stands Henry E. “Hank” Hildebrand III.  Hank is the standing chapter 13 and chapter 12 trustee for the Middle District of Tennessee based in Nashville.  He is really the embodiment of someone who has mastered his craft and there really is not an issue with regard to consumer bankruptcy where Hank is not considered the preeminent expert on the topic.  In fact, his commentary and thoughts on various decisions that are issued throughout the country are always eagerly awaited by everyone in the field of bankruptcy law.  I have talked to Hank on occasion at various CLEs over the years so I was happy to be able to spend some one on one time getting to know about his life both in and outside the practice of law.  Interestingly, Hank thought early on in his legal career that he would end up practicing “beer law,” until that job offer took an unexpected turn!  In any event, I was recently at a hearing in Hank’s town so it was good to spend some time with him at his office in “Smashville.”  That last sentence is really meant for me since I just wanted to say the word I kept seeing while I was there in the city!