No CLE

This session will discuss the recent changes with the Department of Justice’s new Student Loan Discharge program. The panelists will explore the scope and limitations of the program, as well as best practices, including the importance of a client's present financial circumstances, expenses and repayment ability.

Hosted by IWIRC New England Companies are not the only ones fighting with creditors these days; creditors are fighting amongst themselves, relying on increasingly nuanced interpretations of debt-issuance documents and intercreditor agreements. What has changed in the debt-finance landscape that is bringing these disputes to a head? What are the document provisions and transaction structures that have been in dispute? What are the litigation strategies and considerations at play, and how have courts reacted to these kinds of disputes? This session will address these questions and more.

This panel will discuss the emerging and ever-changing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the administration of consumer debt, and the effects on bankruptcy cases. The panelists will discuss how the technology has been used in both account-servicing and court filings, where it may be going, and potential pitfalls to be mindful of as AI/ML becomes more common.

This panel will discuss the ethical duties and obligations of debtor’s counsel when unbundling legal services in chapter 7 cases. From the marketing of no money/low money down to adequate disclosures, the nuances of fee bifurcation sometimes create a fine ethical line on which to walk. The panelists will provide practical advice on how to comply with ethical concerns, and will discuss how different districts across the country have addressed the issue.

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) failed on March 10 following a run on its deposits, representing the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history behind the 2008 failure of Washington Mutual. Prior to its collapse, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based SVB was the 16th-largest bank in the U.S. and was the largest bank by deposits in Silicon Valley. This panel of experts will break down the failure and future of SVB, the FDIC's role in the banking crisis, and the impact its collapse may have on other financial institutions.

This panel will discuss the various issues surrounding merchant cash advance (MCA) lenders from the perspectives of MCA lenders, debtors, the bench, and other secured creditors whose interests may be affected by MCA lenders.

Following a brief introduction into the modern-day Wild, Wild West of currency that is crypto, this panel will discuss the rise in crypto bankruptcy filings, the unique issues and challenges of crypto bankruptcies, and the future of crypto.

This panel will compare and contrast the SPAC craze of 2020-21 to see where we are now and what lies ahead.

Third-party releases remain a hot topic in bankruptcy proceedings. Learn what the laws in various circuits have to say about permissible third-party releases, whether bankruptcy courts are deemed to have subject-matter jurisdiction and statutory authority to approve third-party releases as part of confirmation orders approving plans of reorganization, and what standards are imposed by circuit courts to determine whether a third-party release should be approved.

This session will discuss recent decisions and developments regarding third-party releases, both internationally and domestically.