A bankruptcy attorney deciding whether to trust you with a client's petition has one question: can this person do the work accurately? A resume doesn't answer it. A bankruptcy petition portfolio does. It lets an attorney see your work, your process, and your professionalism in a few minutes, and it is one of the most effective tools for marketing to bankruptcy attorneys as a new virtual bankruptcy assistant (VBA).
This guide shows exactly what to put in the portfolio, how to present it, and how to follow up so it turns into conversations and paid work.
Why a portfolio works
Attorneys are busy and cautious. They have been burned by missed deadlines and sloppy work, and they can't afford to test an unknown assistant on a real client. A portfolio removes the risk by showing the result before they commit. It also separates you from competitors who only send a generic email saying they “do bankruptcy petitions.” If you are still working out how attorneys think about outsourcing, read 7 Reasons Attorneys Outsource Bankruptcy Petition Prep and 29 Advantages for an Attorney to Hire a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant.
What goes in a bankruptcy petition portfolio
- A one-page service sheet. Lead with what the attorney gains: time saved, accuracy, more cases handled. List your turnaround time, the software and file formats you use, the services you offer, how you handle confidentiality, and how to reach you. Keep it to one page. Avoid the word “legal” and don't describe your work as giving advice (see Unauthorized Practice of Law).
- A sample petition with fictitious data. Prepare a complete Chapter 7 (and ideally a Chapter 13) petition with an invented debtor. Never use a real client's information. Show the schedules, the means test, and the statements, so the attorney sees you can produce a finished product.
- A blank intake form and document checklist. This shows you have a process for collecting information. Our free intake forms and checklists are a good start; the Bankruptcy Petition Specialist Toolkit goes further.
- A sample research and due-diligence package. Include examples of the property valuations, vehicle pricing printouts, and public-records searches you attach to a petition. Attorneys notice a VBA who documents values. See How to Value Property on a Bankruptcy Petition for what belongs here.
- An “issues for the attorney” sample. A short cover memo that lists flagged questions (prior filings, recent transfers, missing documents) shows you protect the attorney's interests. It is a powerful differentiator. More in How VBAs Can Help Protect Their Attorneys.
- Proof you can be trusted. Your training or certification, any testimonials or references (with permission), and your confidentiality practices. A signed confidentiality agreement template is a good addition.
Do not include: any real debtor's name, Social Security number, or case details; fee quotes that are unrealistically low (see What Is a VBA's Going Rate?); or claims you can't back up.
Make the sample petition look professional
- Proofread it twice. A single typo in a sample petition costs you the account. Attorneys read samples with a critical eye.
- Use a realistic but fictional debtor with a typical, believable situation: employment income, a vehicle loan, credit cards, medical bills.
- Make the numbers consistent across every schedule and form. Consistency is what impresses a careful attorney.
- Show the Chapter 13 plan calculations if you offer Chapter 13.
The fastest way to build one is to practice on real-world scenarios while you train. Our 130+ Bankruptcy Petition Training Collection gives you filed petitions to study as models for how a finished petition should look.
How to deliver it
You can use both digital and print, and the combination often works best because far fewer people send physical mail than they used to.
- Email first. Send a short, personal message with a link to a secure download (or the one-page service sheet attached) and offer to send the full portfolio. Keep attachments small.
- Follow with a printed packet. A folder with the service sheet, sample petition, and checklist stands out on a desk in a way an email can't.
- Have a simple web page or PDF the attorney can open quickly, with your contact details on every page.
Write the cover message around what the attorney gains
Subject: Faster, more accurate petitions for your firm
Hello [Attorney name],
I help bankruptcy firms in [your area] take on more cases without adding staff. I draft Chapter 7 and 13 petitions from your intake, with the property research attached and a note of any issues for your review. You review, sign, and file.
I have attached a short portfolio, including a sample petition on a fictitious debtor. May I send a free test draft on one of your next files, or answer questions on a quick call?
Thank you,
[Your name]
Notice what the message does: it states the benefit first, explains the process in one sentence, and ends with a small, low-risk ask.
Follow up, because persistence is the whole game
The biggest mistake is sending a portfolio once and waiting. Attorneys need time, and a no this month can be a yes next month. Plan a follow-up sequence: a message a week after sending, a phone call two weeks later, and a short note with a useful tip a month after that. Our marketing posts go deeper on tips for marketing to attorneys and marketing on a zero budget.
Need a list of attorneys to send your portfolio to? The Bankruptcy Attorney Marketing List includes more than 2,400 attorneys, and the Business Plan and Marketing Materials bonus gives you templates to build your packet. Both come with the Chapter 7 & 13 training and certification system.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a real petition as a sample?
Only if every identifying detail has been removed or replaced with fictitious information, and you have the right to use it. When in doubt, build one from scratch.
Do I need to be certified before sending a portfolio?
No, but training you can mention gives attorneys confidence. See Is Bankruptcy Petition Certification Worth It?
How many attorneys should I contact?
Quality and follow-up matter more than volume. A smaller, well-targeted list that you follow up with beats a mass mailing.
This article is general education, not legal advice. Check your state's rules on advertising and on working with attorneys. Questions about 713 Training? See the FAQ.