Consumer Bankruptcy

Jeffrey N. Pomerantz, Moderator ABI Vice President-Education Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; Los Angeles Resolved: Curbing pension rights in a chapter 9 case is constitutional. Con: Babette A. Ceccotti Cohen, Weiss & Simon LLP; New York Resolved: Committee member fees are not payable as part of a Chapter 11 plan. Pro: Nan Roberts Eitel Executive Office for U.S. Trustees; Washington, D.C. Con: Dennis F. Dunne Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP; New York Resolved: A chapter 13 debtor may employ § 363 to effect a free-and-clear short sale of his/her principal residence notwithstanding § 1322(b)(2) and the secured creditor’s objection. Pro: Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Ill.); Chicago Con: Hon. Mary Grace Diehl U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Ga.); Atlanta

This panel will address recent developments in chapter 11 cases for individuals.

Consumer Mortgage Modification Mediation: A Florida Success Story

Judges’ rapid-fire roundtables on today’s provocative issues, with judges changing tables every 20 minutes

Speakers: Roy S. Kobert, Moderator GrayRobinson; Orlando 1. Unbundling the Sticks: Can Debtor Counsel Limit Scope of Representation? PRO: James H. Cossitt James H. Cossitt, PC; Kalispell, Mont. CON: Guy G. Gebhardt Office of the U.S. Trustee; Atlanta 2. Eat Dirt! Can Secured Lenders be Forced to Take Title? CON: Lynn Welter Sherman Adams and Reese LLP; Tampa PRO: Harley E. Riedel Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Prosser, PA; Tampa 3. Welcome to the Laundromat! Can 363 Orders Scrub all Future Claims? PRO: John A. Anthony Anthony and Partners; Tampa CON: Elizabeth A. Green BakerHostetler; Orlando

It has been more than 35 years since the last major overhaul of the laws governing individual chapter 11 cases. A widespread consensus is now emerging among the judiciary, practitioners and academics that the U.S. Bankruptcy Code requires modernization, particularly with respect to the framework governing individual chapter 11 cases. ABI’s Endowment Fund has commissioned an empirical study, the “ABI Individual Chapter 11 Study,” and a preliminary report will be considered in early 2015. This panel will discuss and debate various views as to what revisions should be made to the laws governing individual chapter 11 cases.