Discharge/Dischargeability

This session will focus on a number of highly debated discharge objection issues, including responsibilities and culpability of debtors’ attorneys, procedures and criteria for settling or dismissing a § 727 objection to discharge in an adversary proceeding, and the “selling” of discharges.

Moderator: Brian L. Shaw Shaw, Fishman Glantz & Towbin LLC Resolved: Credit counseling received on the petition date, though after the time of the filing, satisfies the requirements of section 109(h)(1). Speakers: Pro: Hon. Robert D. Martin U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Wis.); Madison Con: Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Ill.); Chicago Resolved: Student loans should be dischargeable in bankruptcy. Speakers: Pro: William J. Factor The Law Office of William J. Factor, Ltd.; Northbrook, Ill. Con: Monette W. Cope Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA; Chicago Resolved: “Fee jumping” in chapter 13 cases is legal and ethical. Speakers: Pro: Nicholas Perino Swanson & Desai, LLC; Chicago Con: Justin R. Storer Lakelaw; Chicago

The panel will address dischargeability litigation from both the debtor and creditor (and bench) perspective.

A history of credit, including terminology, methodology, with stats on use (and misuse), growing market sectors, including a discussion on credit reporting, and impact on credit scores.

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide three bankruptcy cases this term: (1) Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison, which addresses the constitutionality of the district court referral system for bankruptcy cases and consent to jurisdiction where separation of powers is at issue; (2) Clark v. Rameker, which involves the availability of exemptions for inherited IRAs; and (3) Law v. Siegel, which deals with a bankruptcy court’s authority under § 105 to surcharge exemptions. In each of these cases, either the parties are represented by First Circuit practitioners and law firms, or the underlying circuit splits involve precedents from the First Circuit. This panel will offer an insider’s view of the issues and outcomes.

How can you best advise a client who is unsure whether the stay or the discharge applies? How can you protect a debtor’s benefits offered by the automatic stay and the discharge? Stay violation litigation and discharge analysis are just two of the topics that this expert panel will examine.