Consumer

Join us for an engaging and informative conversation on the current economic landscape and its impact on bankruptcy filings nationwide. This informal discussion covers recent trends in consumer and business bankruptcy, macroeconomic indicators influencing case volumes, and the broader implications for courts, practitioners and policymakers. With perspectives grounded in both judicial experience and economic research, this session provides a unique look at how data and real-world developments intersect in the bankruptcy system.

This panel will provide a general overview of dischargeability litigation under § 523 of the Bankruptcy Code, then delve into advanced litigation strategies derived from the panelists’ personal experiences in representing and adjudicating such matters. Understanding the far-reaching implications of the Supreme Court’s Bartenwerfer decision — allowing nondischargeable conduct to be imputed to debtors under applicable state law — will be the focal point of this panel’s discussion, which will highlight of a number of recent decisions applying Bartenwerfer to various dischargeability claims.

This high-impact opening plenary will move decisively past the theoretical debate surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and will focus entirely on its practical applications. The panelists will discuss how firms are applying generative AI today to increase efficiency, reduce administrative workload and deliver better client outcomes, and will provide immediate, actionable intelligence on how AI can be used for specialized legal research, document analysis, financial data modeling and workflow automation in restructuring and insolvency cases.

Hosted by the Real Estate Committee. This panel will discuss the financial and legal challenges that continue to confront the real estate market by asset class — including office, hospitality, retail and residential — as well as solutions, bright spots and predictions.

This panel discusses recent regulatory changes that are affecting consumers or consumer bankruptcy across a wide swath of financial concerns, including cryptocurrency, changes at and to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, discharge and repayment of student loans, and changes to mortgage modification practices.

This panel will break down last year’s Supreme Court bankruptcy cases, notable circuit court of appeals decisions, and growing circuit splits, and will discuss how developments in bankruptcy appellate law have impacted bankruptcy practice.

Join ABI Editor-at-Large Bill Rochelle for this fun and informative session as he and six judges address recent Second Circuit cases, and predict how the circuit will rule on tough questions on the way up. An attendee favorite!

This panel explains the Department of Education/Department of Justice Guidance and Attestation process, and discusses the Brunner test and the types of evidence that might be useful to support the statements in an Attestation.

This panel canvasses practical tax-related considerations for consumer attorneys to help you avoid common pitfalls, including the impact of tax issues on the timing of filing, dischargeability, asset administration and exemptions; a survey of trust fund taxes, what they are, how they differ across the states, and what they mean for individual liability; the responsibilities of chapter 13 debtors from a tax perspective; and negotiating with taxing authorities.