Opinion ID: 739131
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: 2 Jennifer Biggar, Donna Martinez and Martin Clark each retained Hessinger and Associates (Hessinger) to represent them in their respective liquidation proceedings. Hessinger and each debtor entered into a fee agreement which specified that payment for pre-petition services was to be made in monthly installments after the petition was filed. 3 The United States Trustee (the Trustee) moved for review of Hessinger's fees. In ruling on the Trustee's motion, the bankruptcy court first determined that the debts arising from Hessinger's pre-petition services constituted pre-petition claims. The court then held that these claims were discharged along with the debtors' other pre-petition debts. 4 Hessinger's appeal was heard by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The district court affirmed the decision of the bankruptcy court, concluding that the debts were discharged. Hessinger appealed to this court.