2015

The statement of intent and its value to the bankruptcy process will be the focus of this panel’s discussion, along with an updated look at the so-called fourth option: the debtor’s ride-through.

This panel will discuss the routine (and not-so-routine) issues that consumer bankruptcy practitioners face.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be. But if you are a lender or borrower you need to avoid liability by adhering to policies, using checklists and knowing individual and institutional risks. Come explore the common and uncommon reasons why lenders face liability and ways to defend against and ways to prevent and minimize risks.

This panel will discuss the mechanics and pros and cons of pre-packaged plans, covering topics such as favoring secured creditors over unsecured, retaining previous directors and managers. The panel will discuss voting/solicitation requirements, prepack-specific first day motions, and notice requirements. The panel will discuss plan support agreements and the case law detailing the issues associated with a pre-packaged plan.

This is not Contracts 101, but rather a panel discussion of the critical aspects of drafting contract that attorneys often forget. The panel shall discuss rules of contract construction including the last antecedent rule and its grammatical corollary, judicially adopted rules of interpretation. The panel will discuss how to avoid redundancies and ambiguities (including undefined terms) that create uncertainty and lead to costly and avoidable disputes. The program will discuss nuanced concepts which lead to more effective contracts.

This program analyzes the practical aspects of asset protection planning (i.e., what works and what does not). The program discusses practical goals and limitations of asset protection, including exposure points related to avoidance actions under the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act and Bankruptcy Code. The program will discuss various structures utilized, as well as the practical implications of such planning.

BAPCPA contained a number of provisions meant to assist the debtor in the art of valuation. The valuation process is more important than ever given recent Supreme Court rulings on exemption limits. This panel will revisit the statutory provisions of the Code and discuss recent cases dealing with the appropriate methodology to be employed by the debtor when completing the bankruptcy schedules — and how that valuation impacts the ultimate administration of the case by the trustee.

Reaffirmations of both secured and unsecured obligations remain a major component of consumer bankruptcy practice. This panel will discuss the ins and outs of the reaffirmation process from the debtor’s, creditor’s and debtor’s attorney’s perspectives.

This session will include a discussion of coverage, the need for coverage, covered and non-covered conduct. The panel will provide insight into common and esoteric issues in bankruptcy cases involving D&O and E&O policies, and trends that arise during a claim for D&O and E&O liability insurance coverage.

Does an ABC Really save time and money? What about liability; or automatic stay? Can I just lock the door and walk away? This panel will discuss these questions and more including discussing timing, alternatives processes to bankruptcy, forcing an involuntary bankruptcy, tax liens and anti-assignment contract clauses and the professionals role in such processes.