2022

David Wasserman is the U.S. House editor and senior election analyst for the nonpartisan newsletter The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and a contributor to NBC News. The New York Times called The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter “a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative.” In this mid-term election year, he will provide his predictions and analysis of the current political environment. Mr. Wasserman analyzes the current political environment in lively and entertaining presentations. His data-driven forecasting looks at both national and local trends, the relationship between consumer brand loyalty and voting, and what the future holds for American elections.

This panel will take a look at the current state of the law related to equitable mootness, equitable subordination and other equitable doctrines.

This panel will discuss chapter 11 ethical issues, including multiple related debtors, cases with PE shareholders and cases of closely held corporations, and will identify conflicts and strategies to deal with them.

This panel will discuss a number of difficult chapter 13 issues, including post-petition creditor fees; consumer vs. nonconsumer debtors in chapters 7 and 13 and the impact of the designation; the effects and timing of vesting; automatic-stay issues, debt-limit issues and the impact of contingent debt, guaranty debt and partially secured claims; “fee-jumping” and other absolute-priority rule violations; and discharge in light of mortgage default due to COVID-19, forbearance or modification.

Join ABI experts as they discuss recent, pending and upcoming legislation that impacts the insolvency and restructuring industry.

This panel will cover the what, how, why and risks/benefits of Article 9 sales, including negotiating the friendly foreclosure and aftereffects.

Based on his distinguished 45-year career dealing with stress and human health, Dr. Bruce Rabin will present a timely program identifying the mental and physical effects of stress, and will introduce skills that can be used to minimize those effects. He will explore the concepts of isolation, changes in behavior and health due to the pandemic, and how negotiation strategies for in-person or remote mediations, client relations and decision-making are affected by stress.

Recent large bankruptcies like NRA, Boy Scouts of America, Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Purdue Pharma and J&J have invigorated debate over the longstanding issues of venue and bad faith in bankruptcy. This panel will explore matters surrounding venue and bad-faith filings, related ethics considerations, and the newest wave of reform initiatives.

The steep rise in student loan debt is one of the most pressing issues our country faces as it strives to create a more just and equitable society. Getting a college degree has become steadily more expensive, and graduates are often left with overwhelming debt burdens that sometimes take decades to repay. Coupled with the nondischargeability of student debt under the Bankruptcy Code, the “student debt problem” has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. This panel of experts will discuss how this problem could be addressed in a way that is equitable, fair and effective under the existing Bankruptcy Code, as well as possible reform.

This panel will explore the basics of blockchain — which is quickly becoming a major sector of the insolvency world — and its inevitable impact on bankruptcy cases.