Bankruptcy Litigation

This year the conference opens with ABI Talks, one of our highest-rated programs ever! Based on the incredibly popular “TED Talks” format, ABI Talks address diverse and interesting bankruptcy topics. If you consider yourself a bankruptcy guru, or just want to be one, you will not want to miss this featured session! DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN IN COURT TODAY? Judge Carey will take a reminiscent trip through a typical day in court by recounting the successful presentations and skill sets employed by lawyers that work really well for him, as well as the ones that don’t — all in an entertaining and informative way. #METOO: WHERE I’VE BEEN, AND WHERE BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONALS ARE GOING Cathy Hershcopf graduated from law school in 1985 and entered into “big law” restructuring practice immediately — a world where women were rarely found. Her personal journey is one that will resonate, especially in today’s environment. Her impactful talk will also present, in an interactive format, several challenging fact scenarios from the legal workplace for the audience to consider. SOVEREIGN CITIZENS MOVEMENT (BEST MID-ATLANTIC BANKRUPTCY WORKSHOP PROGRAM) Tom Horan will introduce everyone to the beliefs of sovereign citizens — a loose collection of individuals who contend that the U.S. government is illegitimate and who seek to transform American society into one where government plays a minimal role. Find out what happens when their belief system collides with the Bankruptcy Code and the courts. A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE — OR IS IT? Is a deposit in a bank a transfer of the debtor’s assets? Ron Peterson will discuss this and more, as well as review appellate court decisions of the Fourth, Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Circuits. THE JAY ALIX/MCKINSEY DISPUTE: "SOUR GRAPES" TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT, OR THE NEW NORMAL? Tom Salerno will explore the dynamics of the extraordinary pending litigation involving retention disclosures between McKinsey & Co. and Jay Alix, and will discuss the potentially far-reaching legal, political and practical ramifications of that dispute for the restructuring community on all sides of the industry. Is this a tipping point for the bankruptcy world that will create a new industry order, or just a “sour grapes,” spurned advisor’s tempest in a teapot?

This panel will delve into the roles of chapter 7 trustees and debtor’s counsel in complex cases, including (1) due diligence, planning and preparation for chapter 7 cases; (2) trustees' perspectives (when to start digging); (3) dealing with business ownership interests in individual cases; (4) risks to individual principals when entities file bankruptcy; and (5) getting paid in complex cases.

This panel will address issues related to (1) whether a blanket lienholder has a lien on the going concern or goodwill of a debtor under Article 9 of the UCC and how this complicated issue works out in the context of a chapter 11 case, (2) navigating §552 in regards to the post-petition effect of a pre-petition security interests, and (3) reclamation claims under §503(b)(9), including disputes between inventory lienholders and reclamation claimholders, and questions of when receipt of goods occurs, whether goods delivered to a debtor’s customer qualify for reclamation, and whether utility services are considered “goods” under §503(b)(9).

Join this panel of experts from across the country as they discuss and analyze the latest issues and recent important bankruptcy and insolvency decisions from the Supreme Court, circuit courts of appeals and lower courts, and what issues could soon be addressed by the appellate courts.

Join our panel in exploring the intersection of bankruptcy and IP. Panelists will discuss the rights of a licensee when a licensor files for bankruptcy, the rights of a licensor when a licensee files for bankruptcy, and how such rights can impact secured creditors. Discussions will include copyright licenses, patent licenses and trademark licenses, including the Tempnology case that was recently granted certiorari by the Supreme Court. Where are there areas of litigation that is most likely to arise in bankruptcy? What about sample language for license agreements? Or issues that can arise in the context of distressed M&A? Join us to find out!

Are you interested in hearing a succinct primer on bankruptcy law and some of the basic structures of this discipline? If so, this panel of bankruptcy professionals will deliver what you need and will whet your appetite to become a full-fledged bankruptcy practitioner. Overview - Bankruptcy in pictures: Types of Debt, Bankruptcy Terminology, Relief from Stay, Trustees, Discharge of Debts. 101: The Parties, The Code Organization, Goals, The Estate, Automatic Stay, Discharge. How A Case is Administered: Commencement, Protecting Your Judgment form discharge, 2004 Examination, Litigating in Bankruptcy Court: Matters at issue, Procedural Considerations, Authorities, and Adversary Proceedings. Hon. Jeffery P. Hopkins Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge, Southern District of OH, Cincinnati David Mawhinney Associate, K & L Gates, Boston Prof. Laura Napoli Coordes Associate Professor, AZ State University School of Law, Phoenix, AZ

This webinar will discuss: Consent after Wellness, retention of jurisdiction, stays pending appeal, transfer of venue, structured dismissal, jury demands, court-appointed experts, and withdrawal of the reference. These perplexing concepts are all tools in your strategic tool belt. This fast-paced webinar will consider these tools and others from the perspective of when and whether to raise them. What are the risks and benefits of raising them? You will hear highly experienced practitioners and a seasoned bankruptcy judge discuss and debate these points. Remember: one lawyer's strategy is another lawyer's tactic. Attend this program before you file that motion!

This program will include discussion of a series of issues that arise in adversary proceedings. They will include Merchant Cash Advance Chapter 5 litigation; trustees attempted 10 year IRS statute of limitations use in section 544 actions; license issues on contested sales (Lubrizol); jurisdiction in international cases). This program is designed for lawyers with beginner level experience in adversary proceedings.

This session will consider what an attorney can do after receiving an adverse decision from the bankruptcy court, including strategic considerations, as well as the nuts-and-bolts procedures in deciding whether to appeal and in prosecuting an appeal. What decisions are appealable as final orders? What decisions require permission to appeal on an interlocutory basis? What are the applicable Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure governing appeals, and what requirements do they impose? What is the standard of review for an appeal of an incorrect legal decision? What is the standard of review for an appeal of an incorrect factual finding? How and when can you obtain a stay of an adverse ruling pending the appeal? How do doctrines of jurisdiction, standing, mootness and ripeness apply to an appeal? What types of issues most frequently get appealed, and what rates of success are there?