Chapter 13

This session explores emerging ethical issues surrounding attorneys' fees in the evolving legal landscape, with a primary focus on how AI is reshaping billing practices, professional responsibility and the ethical concerns highlighted in Prof. Nancy Rapoport's scholarship. The panelists also examine recent developments involving chapter 13 trustee fees, litigation financing and attorney compensation in subchapter V cases, highlighting key decisions and practical considerations for bankruptcy practitioners.Learning Objectives:Attendees will identify the emerging ethical issues surrounding attorneys' fees arising from the use of AI in billing practices, and analyze the professional responsibility concerns highlighted in relevant scholarship.Attendees will analyze recent case law and developments affecting Chapter 13 trustee fees, litigation financing, and attorney compensation in Subchapter V cases.Attendees will evaluate practical strategies for structuring and defending fee arrangements in consumer and business bankruptcy cases in light of these ethical and legal developments.

This panel explores the evolving and fact-intensive concept of good faith in chapter 13 bankruptcy, with a focus on plan confirmation and post-confirmation modifications. The panelists examine how courts interpret “good faith” under §§ 1325 and 1329, common red flags that can trigger bad-faith findings, and key strategic considerations for trustees, debtors’ counsel and creditors when modifications are proposed. Through statutory analysis, leading case law and practical examples, the panelists address when plan confirmation calls into question the good faith of the debtor and/or their counsel and proposed modifications cross the line from legitimate adjustment to improper use of the Bankruptcy Code. Topics include income and expense changes, serial or late-stage modifications, treatment of unsecured creditors, disclosure obligations, and the role of debtor conduct before and after confirmation.Learning Objectives:Attendees will understand the good-faith requirements of §§ 1325 and 1329 and how courts evaluate good faith in chapter 13 plan confirmation and post-confirmation modification proceedings.Attendees will identify common factual circumstances and litigation issues that can trigger good-faith challenges, including changes in income and expenses, serial filings, disclosure obligations and debtor conduct.Attendees will analyze recent case law and practical strategies for evaluating, prosecuting or defending plan confirmation and modification disputes involving allegations of bad faith.

This Lunch and Learn session examines key issues arising in chapter 13 cases involving valuation disputes and the application of the automatic stay under § 362. The panelists discuss current case law, practical considerations for debtors and creditors, and strategic approaches to resolving contested valuation and stay-related matters.Learning Objectives:Attendees will interpret valuation principles commonly applied in Chapter 13 cases, including issues involving secured claims and collateral valuation disputes.Attendees will distinguish the scope and protections of the automatic stay under Section 362, including issues relating to stay relief and alleged stay violations.Attendees will formulate practical approaches for addressing and resolving valuation and Section 362 disputes in Chapter 13 proceedings.