Alabama State Approved Sessions

Join ABI Editor-at-Large Bill Rochelle as he hosts a panel of bankruptcy judges to discuss circuit splits and hot topics on important bankruptcy issues. Back again from the Winter Leadership Conference, this attendee-favorite panel will be presented in a fun game show format, where judges will vote to resolve the issues before they reach the Supreme Court.

This session will walk attendees through various cybersecurity issues, focusing on the implications for and obligations of attorneys representing companies in chapter 11 when a security incident/data-privacy event occurs.

This panel of experts will discuss and analyze asset-recovery issues in cross-border insolvency situations.

This panel will explore the basics of blockchain — which is quickly becoming a major sector of the insolvency world — and its inevitable impact on bankruptcy cases.

The steep rise in student loan debt is one of the most pressing issues our country faces as it strives to create a more just and equitable society. Getting a college degree has become steadily more expensive, and graduates are often left with overwhelming debt burdens that sometimes take decades to repay. Coupled with the nondischargeability of student debt under the Bankruptcy Code, the “student debt problem” has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. This panel of experts will discuss how this problem could be addressed in a way that is equitable, fair and effective under the existing Bankruptcy Code, as well as possible reform.

This panel will discuss a number of difficult chapter 13 issues, including post-petition creditor fees; consumer vs. nonconsumer debtors in chapters 7 and 13 and the impact of the designation; the effects and timing of vesting; automatic-stay issues, debt-limit issues and the impact of contingent debt, guaranty debt and partially secured claims; “fee-jumping” and other absolute-priority rule violations; and discharge in light of mortgage default due to COVID-19, forbearance or modification.

David Wasserman is the U.S. House editor and senior election analyst for the nonpartisan newsletter The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and a contributor to NBC News. The New York Times called The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter “a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative.” In this mid-term election year, he will provide his predictions and analysis of the current political environment. Mr. Wasserman analyzes the current political environment in lively and entertaining presentations. His data-driven forecasting looks at both national and local trends, the relationship between consumer brand loyalty and voting, and what the future holds for American elections.

This panel will take a look at the current state of the law related to equitable mootness, equitable subordination and other equitable doctrines.

This panel will discuss chapter 11 ethical issues, including multiple related debtors, cases with PE shareholders and cases of closely held corporations, and will identify conflicts and strategies to deal with them.

This panel will cover the what, how, why and risks/benefits of Article 9 sales, including negotiating the friendly foreclosure and aftereffects.