abiLIVE Webinars

This is the second of three webinars stemming from ABI's recently published book Fraud and Forensics: Piercing Through the Deception in a Commercial Fraud Case. Each webinar takes an in-depth look at areas of specialty, challenge and reward for forensic accountants and the professionals who work with them in commercial fraud cases. The third webinar will be: FRAUD AND FORENSICS: THE LAWYER AND FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT WORKING TOGETHER - JANUARY TBD This webinar will focus on the role of the forensic accountant as an expert in a commercial fraud case. Featuring two authors of the recently published book Fraud and Forensics: Piercing Through the Deception in a Commercial Fraud Case, the presentation will offer tips for both the forensic accountant and the lawyer for writing an effective expert report. Listen also to a retired bankruptcy judge explain what the trier of fact wants to hear in expert testimony and how to deliver persuasive testimony.

This is the first of three webinars stemming from ABI's recently published book Fraud and Forensics: Piercing Through the Deception in a Commercial Fraud Case. Each webinar takes an in-depth look at areas of specialty, challenge and reward for forensic accountants and the professionals who work with them in commercial fraud cases. The second and third webinars will be: FRAUD AND FORENSICS: THE EXPERT WITNESS IN A COMMERCIAL FRAUD CASE - DECEMBER 9, 2015, 1:30 - 2:45 PM ET FRAUD AND FORENSICS: THE LAWYER AND FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT WORKING TOGETHER - JANUARY TBD This webinar will highlight important aspects of the investigation phase of a commercial fraud case from the perspective of a forensic accountant. Featuring three authors of the recently published Fraud and Forensics: Piercing the Deception in a Commercial Fraud Case, the presentation will cover different types of commercial fraud and how to detect it, along with the investigative techniques necessary to leverage witness information and the cache of data available on social media outlets. The panelists will also discuss cash-flow analysis, data-collection techniques, and methodologies for creating a database.

“Most official bankruptcy forms will be replaced with substantially revised, reformatted and renumbered versions effective December 1, 2015.” – U.S. Courts These new forms are part of a forms modernization project that was begun by the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules in 2008. Among other things, the new forms introduce different versions of case opening forms for individual debtors and non-individual debtors. The new forms are easier for debtors to understand and complete and are designed to work with scheduled enhancements to the federal courts’ case opening and electronic case management system. Join members of the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules, as well as a software expert from Stratus BK, to learn about the new forms.

Any reform of current chapter 11 practice must account for the prevailing criticism that fees and costs are too high, and do it in a way that focuses on aligning incentives with case efficiency. This panel will discuss recommended reforms that provide for more effective oversight, as well as alternative fee structures consistent with professionals’ ethical obligations under the Code of Professional Responsibility.

It's become increasingly popular for businesses, developers and project sponsors to take advantage of specialized tax credit programs at the federal and state levels designed to incentivize investment in affordable housing, low-income communities and historic preservation. Bankruptcy and workout professionals should have a basic understanding of these tax credit programs and the unique issues that can arise in workouts and bankruptcies involving projects financed through the use of tax credits. This webinar will cover: 1)Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC); 2)New Market Tax Credit (NMTC); 3)Historic Tax Credit (HTC) programs; 4)And will explore some of the unique issues and challenges that arise in workouts and bankruptcies involving projects financed through such programs. ABI will seek 1.5 hours of general CLE credit in 60-minute-hour states and 1.75 hours of credit in 50-minute-hour states. CLE-Approved States: ABI’s live webinars and teleconferences ordinarily receive CLE credit in AL, CA, DE, GA, IL, MN, NE, NH, NJ, NY (approved jurisdiction policy), PA, TN and TX. ABI will obtain approval in additional states. ABI does not seek direct accreditation of live webinars in KS and OH. Credit hours granted are subject to approval from each state, which may not be determined prior to the program.

The ABI Commission Report proposes some significant changes to the Bankruptcy Code, and the preferential transfer statute in Section 547 is no exception. This webinar explores the rationale behind the recommendations, such as the good faith belief for filing a demand letter or preference complaint, the increase in the statutory minimum to bring a preference action, and more. Most importantly, the panel will assess the practical effects and foreseeable impact of implementing these recommendations. This webinar is a must-attend for attorneys who regularly represent creditors, liquidating trustees, and panel trustees in preference actions.

The Final Report of the Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11 is the culmination of more than two years of testimony, advisory reports and deliberations. In this 90-minute webinar, several members of the Commission and the official reporter will present the key findings as submitted to Congress. Written materials will be provided.

Hosted By: Legislation Committee Congress recently proposed legislation to repeal Title II of Dodd-Frank (the “Orderly Liquidation Authority,” or “OLA”) and replace it with chapter 14 of the Bankruptcy Code. This 75 minute webinar will provide a basic overview of the OLA, and will introduce participants to the current chapter 14 proposal providing for the reorganization or liquidation of large financial institutions. The discussion will explore the policies underlying chapter 14 and concerns surrounding the limits of chapter 11, as well as the potential effects that this proposed legislation would have on large financial institutions and bankruptcy practitioners. SPEAKERS Thomas Jackson University of Rochester Rochester, NY Stephen Lubben Seton Hall University South Orange, N.J. Reena Sahni Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP New York Dena Kessler, Moderator BakerHostetler Washington, D.C.

This webinar, presented by ABI's Bankruptcy Litigation Committee, will be a guide for non-Delaware-, non-New York-based attorneys and law firms (as well as junior attorneys practicing in Delaware and New York) to delivering more value to their clients by (a) anticipating SDNY and Delaware requirements, (b) knowing the black-letter rules and unwritten practices in Delaware and SDNY for appearing without local counsel, and (c) recognizing those situations where outside counsel should retain local counsel, even if is allowed to operate on their own under the applicable rules.

PRESENTED BY: Ethics & Professional Compensation Committee On Oct. 2, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari in Baker Botts LLP v. ASARCO LLC, No. 14-103. Baker Botts, which represented debtor-in-possession ASARCO LLC in one of the largest and most complex chapter 11 bankruptcy cases ever, obtained a fee award from the bankruptcy court of $113 million for fees and costs, $4.1 million as an enhancement, and $5 million for defending its fee application. On appeal, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the $5 million award for defense of the fee application. Citing In re Pro-Snax Distributors Inc., 157 F.3d 414 (5th Cir. 1998), and Bankruptcy Code § 330(a)(3), (4) and (6), the Fifth Circuit held that compensation for defending fee applications was not allowable where the services provided were not likely to benefit the debtor’s estate or necessary to the administration of the estate. The ruling deviates from prior Ninth Circuit rulings. Would a ruling barring professionals from being compensated for successfully defending against challenges to their fees give too much leverage to the fee examiners and other parties willing to use the adversary process? In this 75-minute webinar, two seasoned bankruptcy attorneys will debate this hotly contested issue, moderated by an experienced U.S. Bankruptcy Judge. The Supreme Court’s ruling on this matter could have a major impact on bankruptcy practitioners nationwide. SPEAKERS Thomas J. Salerno Gordon Silver Phoenix, AZ J. Maxwell Tucker Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP Dallas, TX Hon. Gregg W. Zive U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.) Reno, NV