2026 Annual Spring Meeting

This plenary will feature federal bankruptcy judges debating three timely topics:Topic 1: Financial Distress and Good Faith: Judge Goldblatt vs. Judge HageTopic 2: Administrative Claim Plan Treatment (Consent vs. Nonconsent): Judge Barash vs. Judge GlennTopic 3: Subchapter V (Silent Creditor Voting Class or Dischargeability): Judge Isicoff vs. Judge Sigler

Hosted by the Consumer Bankruptcy and Ethics & Professional Compensation Committees This panel will explore the unique professional ethics issues that arise in subchapter V cases, where expedited timelines and overlapping roles can blur traditional ethical boundaries. The panelists will examine common dilemmas involving client identity, conflicts of interest, disclosure obligations, and counsel’s duties to the court and other stakeholders.

Hosted by the Business Reorganization and Unsecured Trade Creditors CommitteesThis panel features a broad range of debtor and creditor advisors who will discuss issues and anticipated trends for debtors facing potential administrative insolvency, referencing such cases as Sears, Steward Health, Rite Aid II, Southern Foods and Verity Health.

This panel will move beyond the basics of § 365 to discuss nuanced, hot topic assumption and rejection issues — including post-confirmation assumption and rejection, rights retained under § 365(h), compelling performance before assumption/rejection (the “twilight zone”), performance obligations under § 365(d)(3) and (d)(5), and related administrative expense rights.

Hosted by the Emerging Industries & Technology and Mediation Committees What is the proper role of artificial intelligence (AI) in mediation, and who is using it? This session will explore the AI tools being used for processing voluminous financial records or case backgrounds, as well as using AI to model settlement ranges and outcomes/valuations, and confidentiality and privilege issues. 

Hosted by the Commercial Fraud and Commercial & Regulatory Law CommitteesThis session will provide an overview of recent fraud trends in bankruptcy cases, including crypto‑related misconduct and Ponzi scheme and other financial fraud cases. The panelists will address key red flags, investigative and litigation tools used by fiduciaries, and the regulatory triggers that lead to enforcement actions by state and federal regulators. The panel will conclude with a focused discussion of how fraud recoveries are being pursued and treated by fiduciaries, regulators and the courts.

The question of whether and to what extent a chapter 13 debtor’s acquisition of post-confirmation assets compels plan modification remains a particularly active and evolving area of the law that has seen further development over the past year. This panel will explore where courts and trustees may draw the line regarding “how much” post-confirmation value triggers action, the scope of trustee discretion in deciding whether to seek modification, and the fundamental (and often difficult) questions surrounding disclosure of post-confirmation assets, including how debtors’ counsel should be advising clients in these circumstances.

Hosted by the Legislation and Secured Credit CommitteesAs distressed companies and their stakeholders look for faster, lower-cost and more tailored solutions than a federal bankruptcy filing, state law and out-of-court restructuring tools are getting renewed attention — especially Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors (ABCs). This session will survey the “bankruptcy alternatives” toolkit (workouts, Article 9/foreclosure sales, receiverships, ABCs and hybrid strategies), then take a deeper dive into the Uniform Law Commission’s newly proposed/approved Uniform Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors Act (UABCA). 

Ron Insana — named one of the "Top 100 Business News Journalists of the 20th Century" and nominated for a news and documentary Emmy Award for his role in NBC's coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attack — will give his take on domestic and global economics, financial markets and economic policy issues. A highly regarded speaker, Insana has written for Money magazine and USA Today, and authored four best-selling books on investing and reading the financial market. He also hosts "The Market Score Board Report," and he is CEO of iFi AI, an AI-powered stock research platform, and CEO and founder of The Insana Entertainment Group.