A Bride-to-Be and an Advocate: Sierra Scott, Esq.
Every couple hopes for the perfect wedding. While wedding-planning usually involves guest lists, cake tastings, and flowers, few expect bankruptcy court to be part of the checklist.
In early June 2026, Stetson Dispute Resolution Board alumna Sierra Scott ’25 and her fiancé learned that their wedding venue, Red Mesa Cantina in St. Pete, had abruptly closed and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving couples wondering what would happen to the deposits they had paid to reserve their wedding venue.
At the June 4 hearing, the Bankruptcy Court determined that consumers were entitled to recover only $3,800 under the Bankruptcy Code, a figure far smaller than the deposits many couples had paid to reserve their wedding date. For couples with weddings only weeks or months away, the news was devastating. They now faced the challenge of finding a new venue while trying to recover the deposits they had already paid.
Recognizing the importance of the issue, the Court invited interested parties to submit legal authority addressing whether customers could recover more than the amount typically protected under the Bankruptcy Code.
Although Scott’s wedding was not until 2028, she did not hesitate.
“I felt that, as an attorney, I had both the ability and the responsibility to help where I could,” she said.
Scott volunteered to research the issue and prepare a memorandum of law for the court’s consideration. She was initially nervous about researching and writing in an unfamiliar area of law but quickly found herself relying on the same skills she developed as a member of the Dispute Resolution Board.
“One of the most valuable lessons I learned through the Board was how to advocate in situations where the answer is not entirely clear,” she said. “The issue before the court did not have a simple, directly controlling solution. Similar to the negotiation competitions I participated in, I had to evaluate competing arguments, identify the most persuasive authorities, and develop a coherent narrative that connected the facts to the legal principles.”
After considering her memorandum alongside the other filings before the court, the Bankruptcy Court ultimately authorized 100 percent refunds of the affected event deposits. The Court’s Final Order specifically references Scott’s memorandum among the materials considered in reaching its decision.
In open court, the Court also recognized the 2025 Stetson alumna’s efforts, stating:
“Ms. Scott, the other similarly situated brides- and grooms-to-be owe you a pat on the back.”
Reflecting on the experience, Scott encourages current Stetson students to embrace opportunities that take them outside their comfort zones and to remember that the skills they develop through advocacy have real-world applications.
“Those skills are valuable in every area of practice and can make a meaningful difference when people need an advocate most,” she said.
Post date: today
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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