2026 Northeast Bankruptcy Conference & Consumer Forum

What is fueling the rise in consumer case filings? This session provides a comprehensive update on national and local trends involving defaults and collection actions across various types of consumer debt. The panelists also examine the growth of emerging fintech products and offer practical guidance for navigating the resulting issues in consumer bankruptcy practice.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify national and local trends in defaults and collection actions involving various types of consumer debt.Attendees will examine how the growth of emerging fintech products is affecting consumer debt and bankruptcy cases.Attendees will apply practical strategies for addressing default, collection and fintech-related issues in consumer bankruptcy practice.

This freewheeling, unscripted session, led by ABI’s Editor at Large Bill Rochelle, features three bankruptcy judges (one retired) and an experienced bankruptcy practitioner-turned-law-professor sharing their views on a variety of recent decisions covering a broad spectrum of hot topics in commercial and consumer bankruptcy law. Part of their discussion highlights five (or more) recently decided Supreme Court decisions that every bankruptcy lawyer needs to know about, including issues and questions that some of those decisions left undecided.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify and analyze recent developments, emerging trends, and significant decisions impacting bankruptcy law and practice.Attendees will evaluate the practical implications of current hot-button issues facing debtors, creditors, trustees, and other bankruptcy stakeholders.Attendees will apply insights from recent legal and industry developments to enhance strategic decision-making and client representation in bankruptcy matters.