Suing the Government for Student Loan Relief feat. Francesca Chang
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Francesca Chang is a lawyer, former travel blogger, and entrepreneur who sued the U.S. Department of Education to discharge nearly $260,000 in student loan debt. In this episode, Francesca shares what it was like to declare bankruptcy, represent herself pro se, and fight for relief in a system with a historic 0.1 percent success rate.
About This Episode
Background
Francesca Chang attended the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she built lifelong friendships and earned her JD. But almost immediately after passing the bar, she realized traditional legal practice was not aligned with her.
“Three months after I passed the bar, I pivoted into multiple careers," shares Francesca Chang on You Are A Lawyer.
Instead of staying in practice, Francesca moved into business development and legal marketing, and later relocated to Taiwan, where she spent seven years building a travel blogging career. Even while living abroad and building new ventures, her law school debt continued accruing in the background.
Why Law School
Francesca entered law school with the same optimism many students carry, believing she would build a sustainable and meaningful career. But over time, both her personal circumstances and financial reality shifted. Nearly ten years out of law school, her student loan balance had grown to approximately $260,000 with compound interest.
“I don’t think I ever was optimistic that I could pay them back," explains Francesca Chang on Episode 233 of You Are a Lawyer.
When new federal guidance suggested a higher success rate for hardship discharges in bankruptcy, Francesca made a decision that required courage and vulnerability. She declared bankruptcy and sued the Department of Education to prove undue hardship, knowing the historical success rate was 0.1 percent.
What Can You Do with a Law Degree
Francesca did not return to traditional legal practice to solve her student loan crisis, but she did rely heavily on her legal training. Law school gave her confidence navigating complex systems, reading statutes, and understanding how procedure shapes outcomes. When she decided to pursue a hardship discharge, she was stepping into federal litigation against the Department of Education without prior courtroom experience.
“I had never litigated a case in my life," shares Francesca Chang on Episode 233 of You Are a Lawyer.
Even without formal litigation experience, she knew how to research precedent, organize evidence, and negotiate effectively. Her JD was not a ticket back into practice, but it was a toolkit. It allowed her to advocate for herself in one of the most consequential legal fights of her life and ultimately reclaim her financial freedom.
Lawyer Side Hustles
Before pursuing bankruptcy relief, Francesca built multiple careers outside traditional practice. From legal marketing to entrepreneurship to travel blogging in Taiwan, she consistently followed alignment over expectation.
“Don’t let the debt keep you strapped to something you don’t want to do,” Francesca Chang expresses in Episode 233 of You Are a Lawyer.
Her journey reflects the broader YAAL theme that a law degree is a tool, not a cage. Whether building businesses abroad or litigating pro se against the Department of Education, Francesca’s path demonstrates that lawyers can redefine success on their own terms.
About Francesca Chang
Francesca is licensed to practice in the State of California.