Mckiever, Jacoway Face Court

Two female lawyers from Fayetteville are expected to get their day in front of the U.S. Supreme Court this December. Colli McKiever, a partner in the McKiever Law Firm, is representing local bankruptcy lawyer Jill Jacoway, who served as attorney and trustee in the 2001 bankruptcy of Richard and Betty Jo Rousey of Harrison.

The Rouseys claimed their IRAs were exempt from the bankruptcy estate. Jacoway filed an objection, and so far the courts have agreed with the trustee. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments about what retirement accounts should be protected from bankruptcies.

The Rousey case only involves a $40,000 estate, but the decision could have national repercussions. Retired U.S. Judge Robert Fussell of Fayetteville originally decided in favor of Jacoway.