Professional Compensation/Fees

This panel will discuss the ethical duties and obligations of debtor’s counsel when unbundling legal services in chapter 7 cases. From the marketing of no money/low money down to adequate disclosures, the nuances of fee bifurcation sometimes create a fine ethical line on which to walk. The panelists will provide practical advice on how to comply with ethical concerns, and will discuss how different districts across the country have addressed the issue.

Join ABI Editor-at-Large Bill Rochelle for this fun and informative session as he and several bankruptcy judges discuss circuit splits and hot topics on important bankruptcy issues. An attendee favorite!

This panel will focus on disputes regarding engagement as counsel and payment of fees. The panel will cover such issues as unbundling of services, bifurcated fee arrangements and conflicts of interest. The panelists also will discuss a number of ethical issues that have arisen in recent cases.

Bankruptcy judges will discuss the most talked-about current events and controversial opinions in the insolvency world with ABI Editor-at-Large Bill Rochelle.

This panel will discuss considerations for engaging nonattorney professionals in distressed situations, particularly the importance of involving nonattorney professionals early in the process, how they can help in advance of a chapter 11 filing, how they can advise on alternatives to a chapter 11 filing, communications between counsel and nonattorney professionals, and issues surrounding the engagement of nonattorney professionals once a chapter 11 case commences. This session will be conducted in an open-discussion format, and participation is strongly encouraged!

Your law practice is not the same thing as your law business. This panel drives this distinction home — from setting up your practice to selling it when you are ready to retire. It isn’t just about your clients; it also is about you and how your future self will fare in retirement. The pandemic has given you an amazing opportunity; seize it!

This panel will discuss consensual vs. nonconsensual plans, disposable-income issues, real estate issues and getting paid.

This panel will cover how to serve notice in a bankruptcy proceeding and will explain the difference between a contested proceeding and a simple notice under Rule 2002. The panelists will discuss how a notice can also become a contested proceeding by virtue of notice. Sounds confusing? It isn’t, yet it is incredibly important to ensure that due process is followed. You may have a lengthy list of creditors in your client’s chapter 13 case, but if only 15 creditors file claims, why should the remaining creditors be noticed after the claims deadline has passed? The panelists also will discuss the rules we now have that allow for limited noticing and limited titling under Rule 7004(b)(3).