Ethics

This panel will discuss current ethical issues confronting attorneys who practice predominantly in the consumer bankruptcy arena, including attorney compensation and fees, potential conflicts of interest, limited representation/engagements, and counsel’s duty to investigate/"reasonable inquiry."

Some things in life are crystal clear; others are amorphous. When your client is untruthful during the bankruptcy process, you, as counsel, must do certain things. This panel will identify the relevant Bar rules, codes of professional conduct, Bankruptcy Code sections, Bankruptcy Rules and other authorities that will help practitioners identify troublesome situations and implement solutions.

The public should expect, if not demand, that judges and professionals alike strictly adhere to the ethical codes and rules that serve to promote and protect the integrity of the courts and the legal system as a whole. This highly respected panel consisting of sitting judges and an expert in bankruptcy ethics will explore issues of judicial and professional transparency, disclosure, conflicts, the duty to report improper conduct, and the means by which to do so.

This panel will consider and discuss practice points, deployment of technology, and ethical considerations for attorneys following the COVID-19 pandemic.

This panel will consider ethical issues in real estate bankruptcies involving candor to the court as to out-of-court happenings, considerations for debtor’s counsel and advisors in parsing entity vs. guarantor, and other insider issues.

This panel will look at ethical considerations for lawyers and judges that arise in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, including the public interests at stake in large chapter 11 cases. This panel also will evaluate the ethical issues involved in the use of artificial intelligence and mass torts in bankruptcy, and will discuss recent cases and share best practices.

This panel will discuss the ethical implications of AI technologies and how they may affect valuation, including issues related to bias, fairness and responsible AI.

Presented in a game show format, this session will feature real case examples, enabling attendees to learn about the nature of the duty of zealous advocacy, under what circumstances lawyers do cross the line, and the ethical and other consequences of being under- or overzealous.