Illinois State Approved Sessions

Consolidations and closures of small colleges, and increasing demands on charter schools' finances, have been growing trends that have only been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. This panel will discuss how the pandemic has impacted enrollment, financing and out-of-court workouts, and, where appropriate, chapter 7 and 11 filings. The panelists will also consider the effects of COVID-related litigation regarding tuition reimbursement and potential enrollment contract modifications.

Hosted by the Bankruptcy Litigation and Consumer Bankruptcy Committees This panel will discuss the current state of the law and open issues regarding the automatic stay, discharge injunction and sanctions in light of the Supreme Court’s rulings in Fulton v. City of Chicago and Taggart v. Lorenzen.

This session will focus on some of the key ethics issues that confront professionals practicing in the bankruptcy field, and offer potential solutions on how to avoid getting caught in these traps. The panelists will present these issues in an interactive format so that the audience can participate and test their knowledge.

This panel will explore some of the nasty topics that keep consumer lawyers awake at night, such as HOA/timeshare issues, surrendering in light of no foreclosure, and fee-jumping.

Sponsored by ABI and INSOL The joint ABI/INSOL International panel will examine the current and future trends for the automotive industry, which is currently in a period of transition. Supply chain challenges and a decline in sales is putting put near term pressure on the balance sheets of OEMs and suppliers alike, as they face price increases for materials and an inability to produce product. Long term, electric vehicles and their infrastructure needs will continue to shift market dynamics, with new market players facing short timelines to ramp up production and existing manufacturers trying to balance the production mix between internal combustion engines and electric vehicles. Will these companies face challenging restructurings similar to those in previous downturns, or will new global restructuring regimes help ease the path to resetting their capital structures?

A panel of judges and ABI 40under40 honorees will be debating key bankruptcy issues including arbitration disputes, cramdown provisions and more! Listen in, weigh in and learn a lot! First Debate Cramdowns “East vs. West” Resolution 1: An arbitrator should decide whether disputes in bankruptcy cases and proceedings are subject to arbitration. Pro: Andrew Helman Con: Lindsi Weber Resolution 2: All disputes in bankruptcy cases and proceedings can be subjected to binding arbitration. Pro: Hon. Michael Fagone Con: Hon. Daniel Collins Second Debate Cramdowns “North vs. South” Resolution: Section 1129(a)(10) dictates that a joint chapter 11 plan may be confirmed if a single impaired class with claims against any debtor accepts the joint plan. Pro: Hon. Mary Grace Diehl & Jonathan Edwards Con: Hon. Michael Wiles & Erica Weisgerber

Join Bill Rochelle as he hosts a panel of bankruptcy judges to discuss circuit splits on important bankruptcy issues. This panel will feature a fun game-show format where judges will vote to resolve the issues before they reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cancellation of debt income (CODI) will be one of the largest post-COVID-19 issues for consumers, businesses and business owners. This session will explain what happens when cancellation of a debt generates taxable income, and the resulting effects on the taxpayer and equityholders. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of whether they should counsel their clients to file bankruptcy.

Before the DIP-financing or cash-collateral negotiation begins, there are a number of ways you can help your cash-strapped debtor raise cash. This session will share valuable tips for what you can do before reaching out to your client's lender, and how you can help fund a debtor from the first call until a sale or plan confirmation.

Hosted by the Emerging Industries & Technology and International Committees This panel will address what happens when cannabis-producers become insolvent, and the resulting cross-border implications. The discussion will include how to structure a reorganization to address the legal issues that surround cannabis-producers, and bankruptcy courts' role in the process.