Ethics

Hosted by the Ethics & Professional Compensation and Technology & Intellectual Property Committees Navigating the use and impact of the media in any bankruptcy case can pose challenging ethical dilemmas that are only exacerbated in highprofile cases. The panelists will explore these issues and share some of their personal insights and stories.

It isn’t enough to just be ethical; professionals employed at the bankruptcy estate’s expense have additional responsibilities as well. This panel will explore these additional responsibilities and duties, what they are, and to whom they are or are not owed.

This panel will address many of the thorniest ethical issues for consumer lawyers, including avoiding conflictof- interest issues as counsel in a failing case, counseling a client who will not take your advice, and counseling a mentally ill client.

Beware of the Traps: Ethical and Fiduciary Issues for Committee Members and Professionals

This presentation will discuss ethical issues relating to representing debtors who have engaged in “aggressive” asset protection/exemption planning, the problem with using involuntary bankruptcies to resolve corporate disputes, issues on representing involuntary debtors, and what to do about clients who lie under oath or knowingly fail to turn over discovery.

Any reform of current chapter 11 practice must account for the prevailing criticism that fees and costs are too high, and do it in a way that focuses on aligning incentives with case efficiency. This panel of Commissioners will discuss recommended reforms that provide for more effective oversight, as well as alternative fee structures consistent with professionals’ ethical obligations under the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Trustee Selection in Commercial Bankruptcy Cases: Who Wins the Battle to Control the Estate?

This panel will explore cutting-edge issues dealing with the ethical implications of social media and advancing technology on the practice of law. Issues to be discussed include professional responsibility requirements for attorneys using social media for advertising and other purposes, best practices for crafting social media policies, and a review of recent case law and state rules and opinions.