Bankruptcy Litigation

Following an introductory video clip about the dangers of social networking in litigation, a panel featuring a judge, a trustee and a practitioner will lead a discussion on the inherent risks in using social networking, some of the ethical issues involved, and suggestions for how to manage these business and ethical risks that are associated with the ever-changing world of social networking.

This panel will discuss the various types of evidentiary privileges that arise in bankruptcy practice — including joint-defense privilege, Fifth Amendment, attorney/client privilege and husband/wife privilege — and how they may be inadvertently waived. The session will also include what happens to these privileges in connection with 363 asset sales, the establishment of liquidating trusts and other sticky issues.

E-Discovery and You: Critical Issues to Understand about Electronic Discovery

With the Supreme Court due to hear oral argument on a critical bankruptcy case on January 14, ABI has released the following free video preview of the upcoming High Court bankruptcy cases. This 75 minute program features ABI Resident Scholar Kara Bruce talking with noted appellate advocate and law professor Eric Brunstad (Dechert LLP; Hartford, Conn.). Eric has argued many cases before the Court and is an expert in bankruptcy appellate practice. He discusses in depth Law v. Siegel, which questions whether the court may use its general equitable authority under §105 of the Bankruptcy Code to surcharge a debtor's exempt assets, and Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison (In re Bellingham), which will address the bankruptcy court's authority to adjudicate Article III matters. The latter case will be argued in January and represents another opportunity for the Court to clarify (or reverse) its holding in Stern v. Marshall. He also provides a candid view of what it is like to argue a case before the Court.

A Preview of upcoming Supreme Court bankruptcy cases, featuring ABI Resident Scholar Kara Bruce talking with Eric Brunstad of Dechert LLP (Hartford, Conn.) to preview the bankruptcy cases that the Supreme Court will consider during its 2013 term. Brunstad, who has argued many cases before the Court and is an expert in bankruptcy appellate practice, discusses in depth Law v. Siegel, which questions whether the court may use its general equitable authority under §105 of the Bankruptcy Code to surcharge a debtor's exempt assets, and Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison (In re Bellingham), which will address the bankruptcy court's authority to adjudicate Article III matters. He also provides a candid view of what it is like to argue a case before the Court and an in-depth analysis of the issues involved with the upcoming cases. Here is a short preview:

Plenary Session

IP experts will shed light on the mysteries of understanding IP law and navigating the often-puzzling sales processes, drawing from their experiences in Nortel, Kodak and other important cases.

This panel will explore the basics of chapter 11 cases through the lenses of bankruptcy judges, U.S. Trustees, debtor's counsel, unsecured creditors’ committees and individual creditors. There will also be a particular focus on litigation strategies and skills, as chapter 11 filings continue to be more sale-oriented, resulting in a greater emphasis on claims and avoidance litigation.