Maryland State Approved Sessions

This panel of Chapter 9 specialists will discuss the Chapter 9 bankruptcy process including eligibility under Chapter 9, the authority of the bankruptcy court, powers of the municipal debtor, the role of creditors, the automatic stay, issues peculiar to certain types of Chapter 9 debtors such as hospitals and cities and the recent developments in chapter 9.

Class action lawsuits in both business and consumer cases are becoming more prevalent. Are you wondering whether your clients’ WARN Act claims would be better pursued against a debtor company in a class action adversary proceeding or in a class proof of claim, or both? If your client has been sued in a debtor’s consumer class action adversary proceeding, do you know the best defenses against class certification? ABI’s panel of experts will explore the potential benefits and pitfalls of class actions by creditors against debtor companies and by debtors/trustees against creditors and others by highlighting recent appellate and bankruptcy court decisions.

This panel will explore key chapter 11 plan confirmation issues by way of a live demonstration of a confirmation hearing. The demonstration will address the most commonly litigated legal issues with respect to plan confirmation, the evidence required to satisfy those requirements, and in particular, how to present and cross-examine experts in connection with feasibility. How would you rule?

This panel will provide a retrospective and prospective discussion of the economic and legislative factors that impact chapter 11 filings, as well as insight on industry trends and hot areas for restructuring services. Ben Franklin once remarked that “creditors have much better memories than debtors.”

This panel will discuss key restructuring issues in the gaming industry as geographic expansion continues to pressure regional, destination and tribal casinos.

This panel will focus on planning and drafting agreements, best practices, avoiding common pitfalls, and successful strategies and approaches.

Experienced mediators will discuss this popular alternative dispute resolution device, including how best to prepare for mediation, the benefits of mediation, whether it is suitable for all disputes in bankruptcy, different styles employed by mediators, and perhaps a few war stories.

This panel will cover disclosure obligations, disinterestedness standards and avoiding disgorgement.