Inaugural organizational meeting for this new ABI committee focusing on mediation and other ADR methods applied in the bankruptcy process, including conflict-resolution skills development, overcoming impasses, multiparty mediations, confidentiality and more. The committee will consider Model Rules for courts on the use of mediation, mediator qualifications and compensation.
Preparing for Metamorphosis: Tax Questions Arising from Changes in Debt from Recourse to Nonrecourse (or vice versa) — Bankruptcy Discharges, Anti-Deficiency Statutes and § 1111(b)
Past Presidents’ Debate:
Michael P.
Richman Hunton & Williams LLP; New York
Deborah D. Williamson
Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated; San Antonio
Resolved: Secured creditors should be required to fund the payment of all administrative claims and make a distribution to general unsecured creditors as a condition of cleansing substantially all of the debtors’ assets through a § 363 sale process.
Judicial Debate:
Hon. Kevin J. Carey
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Frank J. Santoro
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Va.); Norfolk
Resolved: A claim is not impaired for purposes of § 1129(a)(10) if the alteration of the rights in question arises solely from the debtor’s exercise of discretion, because § 1129(a)(10) recognizes impairment only to the extent that it is driven by economic need.
Consumer Debate:
John Rao
National Consumer Law Center; Boston
Brett Weiss
Chung & Press, PC; Greenbelt, Md.
Resolved: The Bankruptcy Rules and Forms should require that a national chapter 13 official plan form be used in all cases.