Consumer

In consumer bankruptcy cases, the ability to craft clear, concise and well-structured motions is critical to achieving favorable outcomes for clients. This panel provides practical insights into effective motion practice in bankruptcy court, focusing on strategies that enhance clarity, improve efficiency, and ensure that motions stand out for their quality and precision. Whether you are new to bankruptcy law or looking to refine your motion practice, the panelists provide you with practical takeaways to elevate your filings and effectively advocate for your clients in the bankruptcy court.

Navigating the intersection of ethics and practice management is critical for consumer bankruptcy attorneys. This session will explore the ethical obligations that arise in everyday practice, including client communication, case oversight, fee disclosures and managing high-volume dockets. The panelists will address common pitfalls and real-world scenarios that challenge compliance with the ABA Model Rules and local court requirements. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for maintaining ethical integrity while operating an efficient and sustainable consumer bankruptcy practice.

ABI’s Vice President-Research Grants will interview Prof. Emeritus Lois Lupica about the structure, progress and preliminary findings of her ABI Endowment-funded Financial Distress Research Project, which examined the tools and other forms of assistance consumer debtors have been using to improve their financial well-being, and determined which ones have proven to be the most successful.

Join us for a special session honoring our retiring regional judges as they reflect on their careers, share insights into the evolution of bankruptcy law, and offer valuable perspectives gained from years on the bench. This candid conversation celebrates their service and provides attendees with a unique opportunity to learn from their experiences and legacy.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of professional development and plays a critical role in shaping the future of the bankruptcy bar. This conversational panel will explore how intentional, well-structured mentorships can foster talent, promote inclusion, and build a strong foundation for the next generation of bankruptcy professionals. The panelists will share practical strategies for cultivating meaningful mentor/mentee relationships in both formal and informal settings, including within law firms and financial institutions. Special attention will be paid to the unique opportunities judicial clerkships provide in mentoring early-career attorneys, and how experienced professionals can actively guide aspiring lawyers toward careers in bankruptcy law. The discussion also will highlight the benefits of reverse mentorship, wherein junior professionals offer fresh perspectives and insights that help senior professionals and leaders adapt to emerging trends, technologies and cultural shifts. Attendees can expect an engaging, experience-driven conversation with actionable takeaways.

From managing the damage from scams on the elderly to filing for infant or incompetent debtors, this panel reviews issues that arise in these types of cases, and provides practical suggestions for how to best assist these vulnerable populations.

This panel will update practitioners on recent bankruptcy case law developments through engaging discussions and participant comments.

Join Judge Michelle Harner as she leads Professor Bob Lawless through a discussion of Debt's Grip, a recent book co-authored by Prof. Lawless, Pamela Foohey, and Deborah Thorne. In this interview, Judge Harner and Professor Lawless will examine the realities of financial struggle in the United States through the experiences of people who have filed for bankruptcy. The book uses data from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project combined with personal narratives to argue that most bankruptcies result from crises like job loss or medical emergencies, rather than irresponsibility.

This lively panel of bankruptcy judges will debate the most pressing and controversial issues shaping bankruptcy law today. Gain unique insights from the bench on evolving case law, procedural challenges and emerging trends affecting practitioners across the bankruptcy spectrum.

This panel discusses the role of the subchapter V trustee, the parallels with mediation, and the meaning of "facilitating the development of a consensual plan."