No CLE

Join us for a round of the “ABI Talks,” with speakers focusing on the ABI Consumer Commission, litigation finance in bankruptcy, transfers and more.

This year the conference opens with ABI Talks, one of our highest-rated programs ever! Based on the incredibly popular “TED Talks” format, ABI Talks address diverse and interesting bankruptcy topics. If you consider yourself a bankruptcy guru, or just want to be one, you will not want to miss this featured session! DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN IN COURT TODAY? Judge Carey will take a reminiscent trip through a typical day in court by recounting the successful presentations and skill sets employed by lawyers that work really well for him, as well as the ones that don’t — all in an entertaining and informative way. #METOO: WHERE I’VE BEEN, AND WHERE BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONALS ARE GOING Cathy Hershcopf graduated from law school in 1985 and entered into “big law” restructuring practice immediately — a world where women were rarely found. Her personal journey is one that will resonate, especially in today’s environment. Her impactful talk will also present, in an interactive format, several challenging fact scenarios from the legal workplace for the audience to consider. SOVEREIGN CITIZENS MOVEMENT (BEST MID-ATLANTIC BANKRUPTCY WORKSHOP PROGRAM) Tom Horan will introduce everyone to the beliefs of sovereign citizens — a loose collection of individuals who contend that the U.S. government is illegitimate and who seek to transform American society into one where government plays a minimal role. Find out what happens when their belief system collides with the Bankruptcy Code and the courts. A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE — OR IS IT? Is a deposit in a bank a transfer of the debtor’s assets? Ron Peterson will discuss this and more, as well as review appellate court decisions of the Fourth, Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Circuits. THE JAY ALIX/MCKINSEY DISPUTE: "SOUR GRAPES" TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT, OR THE NEW NORMAL? Tom Salerno will explore the dynamics of the extraordinary pending litigation involving retention disclosures between McKinsey & Co. and Jay Alix, and will discuss the potentially far-reaching legal, political and practical ramifications of that dispute for the restructuring community on all sides of the industry. Is this a tipping point for the bankruptcy world that will create a new industry order, or just a “sour grapes,” spurned advisor’s tempest in a teapot?

Hosted by the Young and New Members Committee This webinar will examine the impact the ASARCO decision has had on disputes regarding fee applications. The speakers will analyze bankruptcy court opinions that have applied ASARCO’s principles, and then discuss remaining open issues, trends, and practice points.

Hosted by the Technology & IP Committee The use of technology in courtrooms is developing at a rapid pace. This webinar will offer the insight into the many ways in which technology may be used in bankruptcy cases. In particular, the webinar will include discussions regarding the various requirements in differing jurisdictions (both domestic and international in both Ch. 11 and Ch. 15) and offer the perspective of Judge Drain regarding how practitioners may use technology to improve their presentation in the courtroom.

Tax debts are often viewed as unsurmountable obstacles to a financial future. Both businesses and individuals have options. One popular program is the “Offer in Compromise”, which allows taxpayers to wipe out their tax debts for less than is owed. Bankruptcy is also a powerful solution for certain types of tax liabilities. This webinar will explore which resolution option will be the most effective restructuring tool.

Hosted by the Unsecured Trade Creditors Committee The speakers for this webinar will discuss creative plan provisions, confirmation issues, and other tactics used to ‘stack the deck’. In addition, the panel will discuss gerrymandering, vote incentivization schemes, drop dead provisions and golden shares, and whether or not these schemes constitute creative lawyer or a contortion of the Code.

The panel will discuss the different types of cyber fraud threats facing bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy fiduciaries and the need for advance preparation, including consideration of types of insurance available. The panel will provide general insight on fiduciaries preparation for, dealing with, and recovering from, cyber threats, and the impact of insurance coverage on these steps. This webinar is hosted by the Commercial Fraud Committee.

Hosted by the Business Reorganization & Unsecured Trade Creditors Committees This webinar will discuss various issues and recent developments regarding releases of non-debtors under chapter 11 plans. Issues for discussion will include differences among the Circuits regarding the availability of and standards applicable to such releases, potential jurisdictional and constitutional considerations regarding such releases, possible differences between chapter 11 and chapter 9 regarding this issue, the permissibility of using an “opt-out” approach for plan releases, and potential implications of the ever-broader definitional provisions delineating the scope of such releases.

.video-container { position:relative; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:30px; height:0; overflow:hidden; } .video-container iframe { position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:99%; height:100%; } Courts wrestle with applying Husky to except from an individual’s discharge creditor claims involving fraud or fraudulent transfers. Some courts carve a narrow path, while others take the opinion at its fullest meaning, suggesting a broad new cause of action for nondischargeability. This is especially true for directors and officers who use their control of nondebtor entities to benefit from fraudulent activity, including actual and constructive fraudulent transfers. Such actions also give rise to related breach of fiduciary duty claims and aiding-and-abetting liability that likewise could prove to be nondischargeable. The panelists will debate claims and defenses based on the evolving case law, and share their views on what lies next.