2026

What is fueling the rise in consumer case filings? This session provides a comprehensive update on national and local trends involving defaults and collection actions across various types of consumer debt. The panelists also examine the growth of emerging fintech products and offer practical guidance for navigating the resulting issues in consumer bankruptcy practice.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify national and local trends in defaults and collection actions involving various types of consumer debt.Attendees will examine how the growth of emerging fintech products is affecting consumer debt and bankruptcy cases.Attendees will apply practical strategies for addressing default, collection and fintech-related issues in consumer bankruptcy practice.

This freewheeling, unscripted session, led by ABI’s Editor at Large Bill Rochelle, features three bankruptcy judges (one retired) and an experienced bankruptcy practitioner-turned-law-professor sharing their views on a variety of recent decisions covering a broad spectrum of hot topics in commercial and consumer bankruptcy law. Part of their discussion highlights five (or more) recently decided Supreme Court decisions that every bankruptcy lawyer needs to know about, including issues and questions that some of those decisions left undecided.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify and analyze recent developments, emerging trends, and significant decisions impacting bankruptcy law and practice.Attendees will evaluate the practical implications of current hot-button issues facing debtors, creditors, trustees, and other bankruptcy stakeholders.Attendees will apply insights from recent legal and industry developments to enhance strategic decision-making and client representation in bankruptcy matters.

This ethics-focused panel will examine key professional responsibility issues that arise in bankruptcy practice, with particular attention to attorney fees, conflicts of interest, and retention matters. Panelists will discuss applicable rules, disclosure requirements, court expectations, and recent case developments shaping ethical compliance in both consumer and business bankruptcy cases. The discussion will highlight practical challenges practitioners face in navigating retention applications, fee approvals, and conflict checks in an evolving practice environment.Learning Objectives:Attendees will analyze ethical rules and standards governing attorney fees, conflicts of interest, and professionalretention in bankruptcy cases.Attendees will evaluate disclosure obligations and court expectations related to fee applications, conflict identification, and retention procedures.Attendees will apply practical strategies to identify, address, and resolve ethical issues that arise in bankruptcy representation.

This panel provides a practical overview of key tax considerations and recent developments affecting bankruptcy cases.Learning Objectives:Attendees will distinguish the treatment of various tax obligations in bankruptcy, including dischargeability, priority status, and secured tax claims.Attendees will assess recent legal and procedural developments affecting the administration of tax-related issues in consumer bankruptcy cases.Attendees will develop practical strategies for addressing tax planning considerations, compliance issues, and disputes arising in bankruptcy proceedings.

This panel provides a fast-paced and interactive review of significant recent business bankruptcy decisions and developments shaping today’s restructuring landscape. Through a curated discussion of key cases, the panelists examine the facts, holdings and broader implications of notable rulings affecting chapter 11 practice, litigation strategy and restructuring trends. Moderated discussion and panel commentary offer attendees practical insight into how these developments may impact future cases and advocacy approaches.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify and interpret recent business bankruptcy decisions impacting chapter 11 practice and restructuring strategy.Attendees will evaluate the legal and practical implications of emerging case law affecting debtors, creditors, lenders, and other stakeholders.Attendees will formulate strategic approaches for addressing evolving business bankruptcy issues in litigation, negotiations, and plan administration.

This panel walks through the appellate process, focusing on preserving issues and effective advocacy.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify key procedural requirements and deadlines governing bankruptcy appeals.Attendees will evaluate strategies for preserving issues for appellate review and avoiding common procedural pitfalls.Attendees will implement effective appellate advocacy techniques in briefing, oral argument, and case strategy.

This Lunch and Learn session examines key issues arising in chapter 13 cases involving valuation disputes and the application of the automatic stay under § 362. The panelists discuss current case law, practical considerations for debtors and creditors, and strategic approaches to resolving contested valuation and stay-related matters.Learning Objectives:Attendees will interpret valuation principles commonly applied in Chapter 13 cases, including issues involving secured claims and collateral valuation disputes.Attendees will distinguish the scope and protections of the automatic stay under Section 362, including issues relating to stay relief and alleged stay violations.Attendees will formulate practical approaches for addressing and resolving valuation and Section 362 disputes in Chapter 13 proceedings.

This panel provides an overview of emerging developments and current trends impacting consumer bankruptcy practice. The panelist discuss recent case law, legislative updates, procedural issues, and practical considerations affecting both debtors’ and creditors’ counsel in today’s consumer bankruptcy landscape.Learning Objectives:Attendees willidentify recent developments and emergingtrends affectingconsumer bankruptcy practiceandprocedure.Attendees will assess the impact of current case law and legislative updates on consumer bankruptcy matters.Attendees will apply practical strategies and best practices for addressing evolving issues arising in consumer bankruptcy cases.

This panel explores how theft by contractor claims intersects with nondischargeability actions, including fiduciary defalcation and fraud theories.Learning Objectives:Attendees will analyze theft by contractor claims in the construction context and assess how such claims give rise to nondischargeability litigation under the Bankruptcy Code.Attendees will evaluate the legal standards applicable to fiduciary defalcation, fraud, and related causes of action in contractor-debtor disputes.Attendees will examine litigation strategies, evidentiary considerations, and practical advocacy techniques used in prosecuting and defending theft by contractor nondischargeability actions.

This panel examines key issues related to the treatment of merchant cash advance loans in bankruptcy proceedings.Learning Objectives:Attendees will understand the structure of merchant cash advance (MCA) agreements and the circumstances inwhich they may be treated as loans in bankruptcy proceedings.Attendees will examine potential claims and defenses involving MCA finance companies, includingrecharacterization and avoidance theories.Attendees will analyze the treatment of MCA claims in bankruptcy cases, including issues of priority, enforceability, and evolving case law.