Texas State Approved Sessions

What really happens when the Federal Rules of Evidence collide with the practical realities of bankruptcy court? Too often, practitioners raise objections that sound right but fail to move the needle with bankruptcy judges. Others overlook evidentiary opportunities that could have made or broken their client’s position. In this lively and highly practical 75-minute program, seasoned bankruptcy litigators will unpack how evidence is actually admitted, challenged and weighed in contested matters, adversary proceedings and other bankruptcy hearings — and why relying on “trial court instincts” can sometimes cost you the case.This webinar will cut through the myths and focus on what works — and what doesn’t — in the unique procedural and evidentiary environment of bankruptcy litigation. Whether you represent debtors, creditors, trustees or other parties in interest, the panelists will help you sharpen your courtroom instincts and litigate more effectively in bankruptcy court. You’ll gain a stronger understanding of how to use the Rules of Evidence as both a sword and a shield — and how to avoid the common traps that can turn a winning case into a losing one.

Valuation plays a critical role in cross-border insolvency and litigation matters, yet it often arises late in proceedings, creating challenges for practitioners. This panel will provide a practical overview of common valuation and regulatory issues that arise across jurisdictions, highlight key valuation approaches, and share real-world examples to illustrate best practices for addressing valuation challenges in complex cross-border cases.

This panel will examine conflicts of laws in cross‑border insolvency, focusing on U.S. standing rules versus foreign recovery statutes, offshore jurisdictional reach, and choice‑of‑law challenges. It will also provide practical strategies for planning around these issues to mitigate risk and achieve enforceable outcomes.

AI is transforming bankruptcy fee examination. This session demonstrates how Legal Decoder and similar platforms analyze billing data in high-profile cases (PG&E, Purdue Pharma, Toys "R" Us, Rite Aid) to ensure compliance with Section 330 and the 2013 U.S. Trustee Fee Examiner Guidelines. Learn how these tools function both as forensic instruments for post-filing for fee application review and as prophylactic measures for pre-submission invoice cleanliness—and why understanding them is essential to meeting your ethical obligations under Model Rules 1.1, 1.5, and 3.3. Whether you bill $10K or $10M annually, the same principles apply. Discover how AI-driven analytics can become a value driver that enhances client relationships and positions you as a forward-thinking practitioner who proactively ensures reasonable fees.

This panel will provide attendees with strategies to handle complex issues that can arise in consumer cases – sometimes common, sometimes not. Topics that will be covered include UCC-1 fixture filings, multi-filers, extensions or imposition of the automatic stay, and when a debtor should consider filing a Chapter 11 petition under Subchapter V. The panel will also discuss recent trends in consumer cases.

Please join ABI’s International Committee for the next installment in its webinar series on cross-border insolvency topics. This session will focus on key issues and strategies surrounding asset recovery in the Caribbean. Leading practitioners from the Cayman Islands, BVI, Bermuda and the Bahamas will discuss the legal, financial and logistical challenges of recovering assets across jurisdictions, and will share practical insights and tools for navigating those complexities. The panelists also will address industry-specific considerations that arise in insurance and cryptocurrency matters.

This panel addresses pressing issues related to the use of AI in the courtroom and the use of AI by the bankruptcy courts. The panelists focus on ethical issues related to the obligation of candor to the court, use of evidence, discovery and privilege issues, and the how the existing rules do or do not adequately address the current and expected AI landscape.Learning ObjectivesAttendees will recognize the ethical obligations of candor to the court when AI tools are used in preparing filings, evidence, or arguments.Attendees will examine emerging evidentiary, discovery, and privilege issues arising from the use of AI by litigants and the courts.Attendees will assess the adequacy of existing rules and standards in addressing current and anticipated uses of AI in bankruptcy practice.

This webinar will explore the practical defense strategies defendants are using to quietly end or narrow adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court by leveraging pleading standards, procedural sequencing and judicial preferences — often before discovery begins.

This TED-Talk–style panel brings together experienced bankruptcy practitioners to address three critical aspects of modern bankruptcy practice: recent Supreme Court developments, strategic considerations in deciding whether to file for bankruptcy, and the impact of language and terminology on advocacy and outcomes. Through concise, focused presentations, the panel explores how legal doctrine, strategic judgment, and effective communication intersect to shape successful bankruptcy representation. 

Catch up with Ferris Bueller as he faces consequences from his infamous “Day Off.” Can Ferris navigate the Federal Rules of Evidence and manage the admissibility of information from the Wayback Machine’s archives? Will his debts be excepted from discharge? Join us and find out.