Lets do a little math (yeah I know EEW math, bear with me). He is 61 (in 2018) this means he was born in 1957. He goes to Law school in the 1990s so 33 to 42 years old in law school. Assuming he works to a retirement age of 66 he will have between 24 and 33 years to pay off his loan. At 24 working years the burden is similar to paying off a $55,000 home loan, doesn't seem that hard for lawyer. Apparently, as a lawyer, the mysteries of compound interest, contract law and the moral obligation to honor his word have escaped his grasp. I am sorry, I have zero sympathy for this loser.
BTW, I graduated in 1976 with a BS in Engineering, and no debt. I have paid off my house, and retired early. Not rich, but doing OK.