Professional Compensation/Fees

A better understanding of what trustees do in their day-to-day work can help debtors and credit and finance professionals appreciate some of the complexities of the bankruptcy process. Bankruptcy trustees are often painted as the bad guys: Creditors sometimes think that trustees sell assets at bargain-basement prices for a quick result, or that they're only in it for the fees, and debtors may view the trustee as their arch enemy. But the role of bankruptcy trustees is very challenging, involving and rewarding — not to mention highly regulated. Their work has been further complicated by the emergence this year of subchapter V trustees. This session will provide a better understanding of what trustees do, and will compare the roles of chapter 7 trustees versus the newly minted subchapter V trustees to help debtors and credit and finance professionals appreciate some of the complexities of the bankruptcy process, primarily when it comes to (1) appointment processes; (2) roles; (3) day-to-day duties; (4) fiduciary duties; (5) compliance obligations; (6) immunity, liability and court supervision; and (7) the steps to take to make the trustee happy.

This session will focus on professional retention issues in chapter 11 cases, starting with a brief primer on applicable Bankruptcy Code sections. The panelists will then delve into recent case law on such hot topics as disclosures, conflicts and retroactive relief.

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 long countdown to the Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA) is over! The law takes effect on February 19. Thousands of struggling small businesses will now have a faster, cheaper and more efficient process for filing Chapter 11. SBRA includes several significant changes to current law. Join our panel to update your legal toolbox so you’ll be ready when businesses come calling. Learn more at: https://www.abi.org/sbra

This panel will discuss attorneys’ fee and sanction topics, including involuntary-proceeding issues.

Everyone likes to see lawyers get paid! This panel will address the differing approaches for attorney fees in chapter 13 cases across the country and discuss the allowance of debtor and creditor fees while examining and discussing the ABI Consumer Commission’s recommendation on fees in chapter 13 cases generally.

This panel will analyze the instances over the last few years where creditors have brought challenges to estate professional fees, focusing on Pillowtex, retainers and other objections. How can professionals protect themselves when they are well into a case?

This panel will discuss the intricacies of getting retained as a professional in large chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, including handling disclosures and conflict issues that might arise. In addition, the panel will delve into the nuances of filing fee applications and avoiding pitfalls under the Jay Alix Protocol and Large Fee Case Guidelines.

This panel will discuss the use of third-party litigation financing in bankruptcy and in litigation and liquidation trust matters, and will address such issues as the different causes of actions and general characteristics of litigation considered, uses for funds and the general structure of financing, ethical issues concerning the funder relationship, and examples of successful uses of litigation financing — as well as things that can go wrong and how to avoid them.