Free Sessions (no CLE)

This panel of chapter 13 trustees will provide an in-depth analysis of the necessary steps to reach confirmation of your chapter 13 plan, including the necessary steps and analysis that are required to secure their recommendation. The panel judge will give his perspective of the mega dockets and volume of issues that are typically brought before the court.

The Final Report of the Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11 is the culmination of nearly three years of testimony, advisory reports and deliberations. This panel, consisting of several members of the Commission, will present key findings as submitted to Congress.

This panel will compare and contrast actions under §§ 707 and 727, with input from debtor’s counsel, the U.S. Trustee, the court and the chapter 7 trustee. The panel will discuss other current issues affecting parties in consumer bankruptcies, such as effects on the system caused by pro se debtors and how the system is handling those debtors, and how the new forms are affecting the effectiveness of the system.

This panel will discuss the recent filings in the oil, gas and energy sectors and provide an overview of what practitioners and professionals should know and understand about this changing and developing sector.

Knowing who your client is and what duties you have is a problem in cases ranging from the mega Caesars bankruptcy case to actions involving a distressed small family business that is jointly owned by several relatives. This presentation will address several attorney/client ethical issues, both in and out of bankruptcy, when jointly representing clients, including practical considerations when representing a group of closely related businesses, attorney/client privileges between multiple clients, and state and federal law ethical issues related to “who is your client.”

Judges will respond to questions submitted from attendees in advance of the event.

Great Debates Timothy J. Hurley, Moderator Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; Cincinnati Resolved: Impairment is a good thing and should be encouraged. Pro: Hon. Kevin J. Carey U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington Con: Hon. John E. Hoffman U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Ohio); Columbus, Ohio Resolved: If you get caught hiding assets from the piper, you should pay the piper — with exempt assets. Pro: Hon.Eugene R. Wedoff (ret.) U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Ill.); Chicago Con: Hon.James M. Carr U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Ind.); Indianapolis Resolved: You should not be permitted to assert your claim against me. I'm new Jim.Go see Old Jim. Pro: Hon. Robert E. Gerber (ret.) U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D.N.Y.); New York Con: Bill Brandt Development Specialists, Inc.; New York

This panel will present an examination of ethical and legal issues arising in the practice of bankruptcy law, with an emphasis on privacy, confidentiality and professionalism in the use of social media and networking.

Our expert faculty will pull back the curtain on representing creditors and will examine current issues facing mortgage and automobile creditors. Topics will include updates on the mortgage and automobile loan servicing industry, new proofs-of-claim rules and forms, servicing standards, statutes of limitations, and compliance issues.

Although a creditors’ committee represents the interests of all general unsecured creditors, committee members often have competing interests. This panel discussion will explore the types of conflicts and intercreditor issues that can arise, the impact of those issues on the ability of the committee to perform its duties, and how disputes among committee members are resolved.