Wisconsin State Approved Sessions

Join Judge Michelle Harner as she leads Professor Bob Lawless through a discussion of Debt's Grip, a recent book co-authored by Prof. Lawless, Pamela Foohey, and Deborah Thorne. In this interview, Judge Harner and Professor Lawless will examine the realities of financial struggle in the United States through the experiences of people who have filed for bankruptcy. The book uses data from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project combined with personal narratives to argue that most bankruptcies result from crises like job loss or medical emergencies, rather than irresponsibility.

As cross-border restructurings become increasingly common, understanding how different jurisdictions approach restructuring plans is essential for practitioners advising multinational clients. This panel will examine and compare key features of restructuring frameworks in the U.S., U.K., Canada and the Netherlands, highlighting similarities, differences, and recent developments shaping international practice.

Hosted by ABI's Bankruptcy Litigation Committee. Repeat filings in chapter 13 cases present unique challenges — and opportunities — for all parties involved. In this practical and timely program hosted by ABI's Bankruptcy Litigation Committee, the panelists will examine the tools and mechanisms available under the Bankruptcy Code to navigate multiple-filer situations effectively. Attendees will gain insights into how debtors, creditors and trustees can protect their respective interests, address abusive filing patterns, and utilize litigation strategies to achieve fair and efficient outcomes. Whether you’re seeking clarity on stay relief, dismissal, sanctions or plan-feasibility issues, this session will provide actionable guidance for managing the complexities of repeat chapter 13 filings.

This panel, featuring a former U.S. Attorney, bankruptcy trustee and examiner, will cover such key topics as mail/wire fraud, concealment of assets, false statements, perjury and the Fifth Amendment as they relate to crimes in bankruptcy to help keep bankruptcy practitioners and their respective clients out of trouble.

Hosted by the Legislation and Health Care Committees. Congressional budget decisions and executive actions are increasingly shaping the bankruptcy landscape for health care companies. This panel will examine how proposed Medicaid cuts, pharmaceutical reforms and the sweeping 2025 megabill are affecting financial distress, restructuring strategies and creditor dynamics in the sector. The panelists will explore the legal and operational implications of these legislative shifts, and how stakeholders are adapting in a rapidly evolving policy environment.

Hosted by the Business Reorganization and Asset Sales Committees. This panel will examine the strategic use of LMEs in the context of asset sales within restructuring frameworks, such as the role of LMEs in facilitating sales, structuring them as conditions to closing, funding LMEs through sale proceeds, or utilizing asset sales as an exit strategy from LMEs or restructuring plans. The panelists will share their insights on the current trends and practical considerations that are shaping these increasingly sophisticated transactions.

Hosted by the Mediation and Ethics & Professional Compensation Committees.This session will examine the complex ethical challenges that arise when mediation and negotiation processes intersect with distressed scenarios, including conflicts between confidentiality requirements and disclosure obligations, navigating fiduciary duties in collaborative settlement discussions (particularly out-of-court RSAs), and managing professional responsibility issues in multi-party bankruptcy mediations. The panelists will provide practical guidance for attorneys, trustees, advisors and mediators on how to balance the informal and confidential nature of mediation with the heightened ethical and fiduciary standards required in insolvency contexts. Attendees will gain valuable insights into best practices for maintaining ethical compliance while effectively utilizing mediation/negotiation as a tool for resolving disputes and facilitating insolvency issues.