1. Alumni Spotlight: Hector Quesada ’21L

Hector Quesada '21L was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2014, majoring in political science, cum laude, with a minor in philosophy. Before attending W&L Law, he worked for several years as a litigation paralegal for a creditors' rights law firm in Baltimore. In law school, Hector interned at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Supreme Court of Virginia. He also served as an editor on the Washington and Lee Law Review and was Treasurer of the Latin American Law Students Association. Hector currently works as an associate at Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Outside of work, Hector enjoys watching sports, cooking, going to concerts, and exploring the Tar Heel State.

Discuss your career path and how it led you to working at Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey.

When I started law school, I really wanted to do M&A work. But in my 2L spring semester, I took the bankruptcy survey course as well as the Bankruptcy Practicum, in which students work on all aspects of a fictional Chapter 11 case. Taking those classes made me fall in love with bankruptcy and its collaborative nature. After graduating from W&L Law, I clerked for Chief Judge Lena James at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. That experience further solidified my interest in bankruptcy law and gave me invaluable skills in both consumer and business bankruptcy. My wife and I really enjoyed living in Winston-Salem and what is known as the North Carolina "Piedmont Triad" (Winston, Greensboro, and High Point), so I mostly sought out post-clerkship job opportunities in this area. After a couple of years working for The Law Offices of John T. Orcutt focused on consumer bankruptcy, I transitioned to a practice focused on business bankruptcy and joined the team at Waldrep Wall.

What sort of legal issues do you handle on a day-to-day basis?

I handle a wide array of commercial bankruptcy and insolvency matters. I counsel and represent businesses in all areas of corporate restructuring, workouts, bankruptcy proceedings, and receiverships. I also assist the firm's Chapter 7 and 11 trustees. I am fortunate that even as an associate, I have had the opportunity to regularly engage in high-level negotiations with creditors and opposing counsel, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees, and various Bankruptcy Administrators. Fun fact: North Carolina and Alabama are the only two states where the administration of bankruptcy cases is overseen by local Bankruptcy Administrators in each federal district, and they operate under the federal judicial branch. In all other states, bankruptcy cases are overseen by a regional United States Trustee who works within the U.S. Department of Justice.

What do you like about your current job?

I find great satisfaction in helping small and midsize business owners navigate complex financial challenges and work toward successful restructuring solutions. What I particularly appreciate about Waldrep Wall is its collaborative and multidisciplinary approach. The firm offers sophisticated work within a collegial, team-oriented environment without the bureaucracy often found at larger firms. In my previous role with the Law Offices of John Orcutt, it was very rewarding to make a tangible difference in people's lives by helping them regain financial stability and peace of mind. The vast majority of my clients found themselves in unfortunate economic situations through no fault of their own. In recognition of my work with individual debtors, I received the inaugural Outstanding Young Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Award from the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys in April 2025, which was a meaningful affirmation of the advocacy I strive to provide.

What are some practices you have in your daily life as an attorney to maintain wellness?

Being a bankruptcy attorney is both demanding and emotionally intense. Business owners and individuals come to you during challenging periods in their lives, and the work requires significant attention to detail and quick decision-making. Law school doesn't teach you how to deal with the heartbreaking situations inherent in bankruptcy. After several years in this field, I have learned it is necessary to set healthy boundaries with work to minimize stress. That includes, to the extent possible, avoiding internalizing the emotions and pressures your clients are feeling. I also try to get decent sleep every night (which is hard because I have always been a night owl) and work out 2-3 times per week. Most importantly, I always stay connected with friends and family and do fun activities whenever I can.

Which W&L classes and/or experiences do you think were most helpful in preparing you for this job?

Civil procedure really helped me start thinking like a lawyer as soon as I started law school. The late great Professor Joan Shaughnessy taught my class and used the Socratic Method extensively, which was great preparation for the quick thinking that partners expect from their associates in the real world. I also gained extensive research and drafting skills as a judicial intern at SDNY, which was a full-time externship through W&L during my 3L fall semester. That experience really helped me hit the ground running at my bankruptcy clerkship and now at Waldrep Wall. And last but certainly not least, the two bankruptcy courses in law school gave me a solid foundation for my clerkship and subsequent law firm jobs.

What advice do you have for prospective law students?

Be open to where your interests may lead you. I entered law school with one vision for my career (M&A) and left with another (bankruptcy), almost through pure coincidence. Additionally, I always wanted to work in New York City, but ended up settling down in a relatively quiet part of North Carolina (as compared to ever-expanding Charlotte and Raleigh). Flexibility and adaptability are strengths in the legal profession, and in life generally. Also, take advantage of every opportunity to build relationships with classmates, professors, and alumni. Your social life and career will thank you later. Lastly, thorough preparation is a powerful weapon, sometimes even stronger than cleverness or creativity. As a lawyer, you can never be over-prepared.

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Outside of Work

Hobby

Playing softball

Book/Podcast Recommendation

Pro Football Talk. With a background as a former labor attorney, podcast host Mike Florio brings an insightful legal perspective to his NFL commentary.

Favorite Travel Location

Lake Tahoe, California

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