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This panel explores recent trends in high profile fraud-driven bankruptcies and the impact on the various constituencies involved; provides practical tips and strategies for identifying, addressing and litigating fraud in the bankruptcy context, including the types of claims and potential defenses commonly at issue in fraud cases; and provides practical tips and strategies for identifying, addressing and litigating fraud in the bankruptcy context.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify recent trends in high-profile fraud-driven bankruptcies and their impact on various constituencies involved in the case.Attendees will recognize common types of fraud claims and potential defenses that arise in the bankruptcy context.Attendees will apply practical strategies for identifying, addressing, and litigating fraud-related issues in bankruptcy proceedings.

Each year, the U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear dozens of bankruptcy cases, leaving important legal questions unanswered and lower court rulings in place. This panel examines significant bankruptcy decisions for which certiorari was denied, exploring the unresolved issues they leave behind and the practical impact on bankruptcy practitioners and stakeholders. The panelists discuss how the Supreme Court evaluates petitions for certiorari, the factors that influence whether review is granted, and emerging bankruptcy issues that may be poised for future Supreme Court consideration. Attendees gain insight into developing areas of bankruptcy law and the implications of a Court that often chooses not to weigh in.Learning Objectives:Attendees will understand the criteria and considerations the U.S. Supreme Court uses when deciding whether to grant or deny certiorari in bankruptcy cases.Attendees will examine significant bankruptcy cases in which certiorari was denied and assess the practical implications of those decisions on bankruptcy law and practice.Attendees will identify unresolved bankruptcy law issues and emerging legal questions that may be candidates for future Supreme Court review.

This panel keeps bankruptcy practitioners current on the substantive and procedural aspects of litigation in both contested matters and adversary proceedings.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify key substantive and procedural distinctions between contested matters and adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court.Attendees will apply current procedural rules and best practices to effectively litigate claims and disputes within bankruptcy proceedings.Attendees will recognize recent developments in bankruptcy litigation that may impact case strategy and outcomes.

Subprime lending is showing signs of strain — especially in the auto sector, where recent lender failures highlight growing vulnerabilities. This panel examines what’s driving stress in subprime auto lending, the implications for the broader credit market, and risks in areas like merchant cash advance (MCA) financing. Attendees gain insights into emerging cracks in the market and what they may signal for the economic outlook.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify the market forces and operational challenges contributing to distress in the subprime lending sector, with a focus on subprime auto finance.Attendees will analyze the impact of lender failures, rising defaults and tightening credit conditions on borrowers, lenders and the broader credit markets.Attendees will evaluate emerging risks in related financing sectors, including merchant cash advance (MCA) lending, and assess what these developments may signal for future restructuring activity and economic conditions.

With more than half of civil cases in many courts involving at least one self-represented party, pro se appearances are now the norm rather than the exception. This panel examines how to navigate these cases effectively — balancing efficiency with fairness, preserving due process, and avoiding the pitfalls of lay practice while ensuring that all parties are heard.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify the unique procedural and practical challenges presented by self-represented litigants in bankruptcy and other civil proceedings.Attendees will analyze strategies for balancing judicial efficiency, fairness and due process when managing cases involving pro se parties.Attendees will apply best practices for communicating with self-represented litigants, addressing lay-practice issues and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process while ensuring all parties are heard.

This session reviews the difficulties facing the spirits industry and options for rehabilitation. The panelists consider some active and past cases to highlight solutions, as well as other solutions for when bankruptcy is not the best option, including an increased focus on receiverships and other out-of-court options.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify the economic, operational and market challenges contributing to financial distress within the spirits industry and related consumer-product sectors.Attendees will analyze restructuring and rehabilitation strategies used in distressed spirits businesses, including lessons learned from recent bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings.Attendees will evaluate the advantages and limitations of bankruptcy, receiverships and out-of-court restructuring alternatives when addressing distress in the spirits industry.

This panel explores the evolving and fact-intensive concept of good faith in chapter 13 bankruptcy, with a focus on plan confirmation and post-confirmation modifications. The panelists examine how courts interpret “good faith” under §§ 1325 and 1329, common red flags that can trigger bad-faith findings, and key strategic considerations for trustees, debtors’ counsel and creditors when modifications are proposed. Through statutory analysis, leading case law and practical examples, the panelists address when plan confirmation calls into question the good faith of the debtor and/or their counsel and proposed modifications cross the line from legitimate adjustment to improper use of the Bankruptcy Code. Topics include income and expense changes, serial or late-stage modifications, treatment of unsecured creditors, disclosure obligations, and the role of debtor conduct before and after confirmation.Learning Objectives:Attendees will understand the good-faith requirements of §§ 1325 and 1329 and how courts evaluate good faith in chapter 13 plan confirmation and post-confirmation modification proceedings.Attendees will identify common factual circumstances and litigation issues that can trigger good-faith challenges, including changes in income and expenses, serial filings, disclosure obligations and debtor conduct.Attendees will analyze recent case law and practical strategies for evaluating, prosecuting or defending plan confirmation and modification disputes involving allegations of bad faith.

This panel provides an update on key threats affecting restructuring and credit markets. William Rule discusses the current economic environment, especially the federal deficit, private credit stress, potential bubbles in the stock market, the concentration of wealth and other threats.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify key macroeconomic threats currently affecting restructuring and credit markets, including federal deficit dynamics and emerging stress in private credit.Attendees will analyze the potential impact of taxes and tariffs on economic stability, corporate capital structures, and distressed investment opportunities.Attendees will evaluate indicators of asset bubbles and wealth concentration trends, and assess their implications for restructuring practitioners and credit market participants.

This panel provides an overview of the procedures of obtaining and challenging a corporate debtor’s authority to file. The panelists explore the strategies associated with navigating filing decisions for businesses with complex business structures and provide practical insights into make such decisions. This panel also examines case law trends and developments associated with corporate filing authority and challenges thereto.Learning Objectives:Attendees will understand the legal requirements for establishing bankruptcy filing authority within complex ownership and governance structures.Attendees will analyze common disputes involving corporate authority, organizational documents and stakeholder consent rights.Attendees will evaluate best practices for identifying and resolving filing-authority issues before and during bankruptcy proceedings.

This panel provides a practical overview of SBA lending, including key loan programs and underwriting fundamentals, followed by a deep dive into servicing requirements and regulatory compliance. The panelists also address common challenges in chapter 11 cases — such as valuation disputes, voting and confirmation issues (including subchapter V), and the complexities surrounding guarantors — offering actionable insights for navigating SBA-backed restructurings.Learning Objectives:Attendees will understand the structure, underwriting and servicing requirements associated with SBA-backed lending programs.Attendees will analyze common bankruptcy issues involving SBA loans, including valuation disputes, voting rights and plan confirmation challenges.Attendees will evaluate strategies for addressing guarantor liability and restructuring SBA-backed obligations in chapter 11 and subchapter V cases.