Wisconsin State Approved Sessions

The health care industry is facing growing financial stress, driving a surge in both chapter 11 filings and out-of-court restructurings. This panel will explore the evolving landscape of health care distress, highlighting the creative solutions being used outside of traditional bankruptcy, such as receiverships, distressed M&A and liability-management transactions. The panelists will examine the influx of private capital into the sector, regulatory and compliance pressures, and how declining reimbursement rates and litigation are accelerating financial challenges. The discussion will also provide practical insights into navigating fiduciary duties, valuation standards, and the broader implications of restructuring in both for-profit and nonprofit health care environments.

This panel will provide a comprehensive overview of key tax considerations that arise before and during bankruptcy proceedings. Attendees will learn how to preserve and utilize valuable tax attributes prior to filing. The panelists also will explore the complex question of whether certain tax attributes constitute property of the bankruptcy estate, and will address a range of critical tax issues that may emerge during a bankruptcy case. This session is essential for practitioners seeking to effectively navigate the intersection of tax law and bankruptcy.

Clear, concise writing is essential in bankruptcy practice, especially when your audience includes busy judges and practitioners. This interactive workshop will explore why brevity matters and how to achieve it without sacrificing legal precision. Attendees will learn to spot opportunities to tighten briefs and motions, and gain practical strategies for cutting words while preserving meaning. Whether drafting for court or clients, participants will leave with tools to write more effectively and efficiently.

In today’s digitally connected world, attorneys face unique challenges and opportunities at the crossroads of social media, credit reporting and bankruptcy law. This panel will first debunk prevalent social media myths and scams that complicate client advisement and the setting of realistic legal expectations. Next, the panelists will delve into the nuanced relationship between credit reporting and bankruptcy, offering insights that enhance attorneys' ability to guide clients through financial restructuring. Finally, the discussion will highlight effective strategies for harnessing social media as a tool to positively influence public perception and expand access to critical legal information. Join us for an engaging session designed to equip legal professionals with practical knowledge and innovative approaches for navigating this evolving landscape.

This panel will delve into the legal and strategic complexities surrounding the RMS Titanic chapter 11 case, exploring how different approaches might have altered its course. The panelists will unpack the jurisdictional tensions between the district court overseeing recovered artifacts and the bankruptcy court managing estate assets, and discuss pathways for resolving these conflicts. The conversation also will examine the role of foreign investors and buyers, highlighting the dynamic they introduce into the sale process and the competing interests at play.

The restaurant and franchise sectors present unique challenges in chapter 11 restructurings, from complex lease negotiations to brand preservation and franchise agreement compliance. Whether representing debtors, creditors or franchisors, attendees will gain practical insights into navigating the distinctive legal and business hurdles faced by restaurants and franchises in chapter 11. 

This lively panel of bankruptcy judges will debate the most pressing and controversial issues shaping bankruptcy law today. Gain unique insights from the bench on evolving case law, procedural challenges and emerging trends affecting practitioners across the bankruptcy spectrum.

Sponsored by Inspira FinancialIn this session, you will learn practical strategies to oversee/manage retirement plan terminations that are required due to corporate bankruptcies and merger-and-acquisition transactions. From understanding your clients’ fiduciary responsibilities to finding missing and unresponsive participants and reconnecting them with their retirement savings, this session will inform attendees on the steps necessary to successfully terminate a company's retirement plan.

In April 2023, ABI created the Subchapter V Task Force, which was charged with reviewing the implementation and administration of subchapter V. After almost a year of study and public hearings, the task force has issued its report and recommendations, which include statutory changes. This session will discuss the task force’s report and recommendations.