Arkansas State Approved Sessions

Consumer cases require quick, effective and efficient answers to complex legal issues. Bankruptcy cases are expected to surge as a result of the economic consequences wrought by COVID-19, creating a logjam in the bankruptcy courts that is expected to continue. Mediation is the relief valve, providing opportunities for consumer practitioners to minimize delay and resolve intractable problems. The panelists will discuss the phases of mediation, applicable rules and statutes, cases most suitable for mediation, how to select a mediator, confidentiality and privilege issues, how to prepare both your client and your case, remote mediation, and best practices for achieving a favorable result.

Join ABI's Asset Sales Committee with a panel of experts that will highlight the current challenges facing insolvency professionals working on deals in the COVID-19 world and what to expect in the coming months.

Sponsored by: SRS Acquiom Inc. Join us for a roundtable discussion on current trends in the distressed-debt market: how we got here, what we're seeing, and how today's market compares to other distressed times. Hear from industry experts and differing viewpoints on how COVID-19 is turning lending markets upside-down, and gain tips on your best response.

What trends for consumer bankruptcy practice have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic? What will consumer practice look like going forward? Join a panel of four experienced bankruptcy counsel as they discuss safety, case law trends and practical actions to take going forward. Some of the topics the panel will discuss include: Actions chapter 13 trustees are taking to hold down costs while continuing to assist debtors. Debtor counsel updates on practices that have developed due to the pandemic, including suspension of plan payments. Creditor counsel initiatives, including notices of forbearance and agreed orders, so debtors may stay in their homes. Variables that have caused consumer filings to drop precipitously due to the pandemic and what filing trends will look like moving forward.

With many legal observers predicting an unprecedented tsunami of commercial bankruptcy filings, many companies will face challenges regarding the best strategies for liquidating their assets. This session will offer a range of options to consider, including § 363 sales, receiverships, Article 9 and other means of selling assets.

The panelists will discuss the best practices for tricky Chapter 7s, Chapter 13 plan modifications filed pursuant to The CARES Act, tips for ensuring proper service, and a discussion of the current case law on 401(k) contributions and nunc pro tunc orders.

Alix v. McKinsey Resolved: A financial advisor is required to disclose all connections, including the connections of its affiliates, when filing an application to be employed with the Court. The Ethical Response to Client Misconduct Resolved: If a client either refuses to comply with an obligation imposed by the Bankruptcy Code or Rules, or insists on taking action prohibited by the Code or Rules, the client’s attorney must file a motion to withdraw from representing the client and must disclose the disagreement regarding the client’s legal obligations.

The Small Business Restructuring Act of 2019 is one of the most important pieces of bankruptcy legislation passed since BAPCPA in 2005. This session will offer a deep dive into the practical aspects of the new Subchapter V of the Bankruptcy Code, offering insights into emerging case law, recent adjustments enacted by the CARES Act of 2020, and how to guide clients through a small business case from inception to confirmation.

ABI’s expert panel will discuss the changes in the process and practice of bankruptcy courts in the COVID-19 era. Learn how bankruptcy courts across the country have adapted to the crisis and have led the way in utilizing technology to keep their dockets moving and the bankruptcy system working, and hear how ABI’s panelists expect the “new normal” to continue to evolve, and how bankruptcy courts are preparing to handle an expected influx of filings.

Join our panel of automotive and insolvency experts as they discuss the current state of the global automotive industry, as well as the bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy processes that may be utilized to address insolvency issues in the wake of COVID-19.