Illinois State Approved Sessions

This session will go beyond the black-letter law of § 365 with a "landlord mafia boss" to discuss practical and timely topics concerning how to best serve your client in post-petition lease negotiations during a post-petition § 363(b) sale process. This panelists will discuss cutting-edge issues and real-life experiences associated with real property and personal property leases from some of the most significant cases over the past several years, including Yellow, Red Lobster, GNC and Big Lots. Attendees can expect to be able to implement these lease strategies in cases of all sizes on behalf of debtors, landlords and other interested third parties.

Private credit has rapidly become one of the most dynamic areas of the capital markets, with significant implications for corporate restructurings and bankruptcy practice. Morgan O’Neill of Sound Point Capital Management will explore how private credit is shaping financing strategies, influencing restructuring outcomes, and redefining the relationships among borrowers, lenders and investors. Attendees will gain insights into current market trends, the opportunities and risks driving private credit, and what these developments mean for the future of distressed investing and restructuring.

This session will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital-asset recovery in cross-border bankruptcy proceedings. The panelists will examine the challenges in making recoveries when digital-asset businesses are the subject of fraud or hacking activity, and discuss how AI-powered tools are revolutionizing asset-tracing, evidence-gathering and recovery processes. They also will cover the practical challenges insolvency professionals face when appointed over businesses in this sector, especially when there is a parallel criminal investigation and/or prosecution, and ways in which practitioners can navigate that landscape to achieve the best outcomes for stakeholders by drawing on real-life examples of cases in which the panelists have been involved.

This panel will explore how tariffs, geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic pressures are reshaping the restructuring landscape. The panelists will examine the impact of these forces on such sectors as real estate, energy and retail, highlighting emerging distressed assets and strategies for navigating complex cross-border and domestic restructuring challenges. Attendees will gain practical insights into mitigating risk and identifying opportunities in an increasingly volatile environment.

Director liability in restructuring continues to grow in importance across borders, with shifting legal regimes and case law creating uncertainty for boards and restructuring professionals alike. This panel will compare filing laws and requirements in key jurisdictions, including Ireland and Germany, and examine the evolving roles of independent directors and restructuring practitioners.

The global automotive industry is facing unprecedented disruption, from supply chain pressures and shifting consumer demand to the transition toward electrification and stricter regulatory frameworks. These forces are creating unique restructuring challenges and opportunities across both the U.S. and European markets. This panel will bring together experts to compare approaches on both sides of the Atlantic, examining how legal, financial and operational strategies differ and the lessons that can be drawn from recent high-profile cases. Attendees will gain insights into emerging risks, cross-border considerations, and the tools available to manage distress in one of the world’s most complex and rapidly evolving industries.

Private credit has rapidly grown into a multi-trillion-dollar market, reshaping the landscape of corporate finance and restructuring. With global private credit expected to rise from nearly US$2 trillion in 2023 to US$3 trillion by 2028, the influence of private credit funds as key creditors is undeniable. But questions remain as to how these funds will behave in the next major downturn, given their limited experience in workouts and restructuring. This panel will explore the evolving dynamics among private credit funds, banks, private equity and ratings agencies, and consider whether the growth of “private” markets reflects innovation or regulatory arbitrage. Attendees will gain practical insights into what restructuring professionals need to know as private credit cements its role at the center of future distressed situations.

The U.K. Scheme of Arrangement and other international restructuring tools have attracted global attention for their flexibility and effectiveness. This panel will explore whether the U.S. should adopt a similar framework, and will analyze potential benefits, challenges and implications for debtors and creditors within the existing chapter 11 system.

The intersection between insolvency and arbitration remains one of the most complex and unsettled areas of cross-border dispute resolution. This panel will examine the ongoing debate within UNCITRAL Working Group V on determining which law governs the effect of insolvency proceedings on arbitration agreements and arbitral proceedings, and how different jurisdictions approach this question in practice.