Vermont State Approved Sessions

This panel will provide an overview and discussion of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and return-to-office issues, and what impacts they may have on the commercial real estate industry. The panelists will discuss market data and trends, as well as relevant case law on the valuation of commercial real estate in the context of bankruptcy cases. The panel also will review hypothetical scenarios to emphasize key issues that affect the valuation of commercial real estate in a disrupted and uncertain marketplace.

This panel will explore the ins and out of blockchain, related cryptocurrency marketing concepts including mining, Ethereum, DeFi, DAOs and stablecoins, current regulatory issues involving cryptocurrency, how cryptocurrency has made its way into the bankruptcy arena so far, and how bankruptcy practitioners can prepare for crypto-related bankruptcy issues in the future.

Consumer lawyers on behalf of both debtors and creditors deal with myriad ethical issues to ensure effective and economical representation of their clients. This panel will explore the implications of representing individuals, small businesses, insiders and creditors, including what to do when your client becomes your creditor (how far can you go to get paid?) and how to avoid breaching the attorney/client privilege (just who do or can you talk to?). In a small business, the owner often considers counsel to be representing “her” interest. How does counsel for a business deal with this issue under the ethical rules and the Bankruptcy Code? For the creditor, what are the implications of potential conflicts by counsel to the debtor? Can the creditor reach out to a principal of the corporate debtor directly on their guarantee without violating the Rules of Professional Conduct? What are the ethical limits of “unbundling services” to make it more affordable for the client, whether you represent a debtor or a creditor? This panel will explore ways to accomplish your client’s goals, as well as the ethical boundaries of representation under those scenarios.

Join our panelists as they explore how lender liability claims are born and struggle for life, starting with the influence that an original loan agreement may have on later claims, continuing with the roles that various professionals play as financial distress grows, and finally examining how tragedy unfolds as litigation plays out.