2026

Join ABI and Stetson University College of Law for the 50th annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar, a memorial CLE program honoring the lifetime achievements of the late Bankruptcy Judge Alexander L. Paskay.The seminar will feature programming options geared toward both business and consumer issues, taught by a faculty of prominent regional and national speakers and bankruptcy judges — and you won’t want to miss out on the numerous networking events!

AI is transforming bankruptcy fee examination. This session demonstrates how Legal Decoder and similar platforms analyze billing data in high-profile cases (PG&E, Purdue Pharma, Toys "R" Us, Rite Aid) to ensure compliance with Section 330 and the 2013 U.S. Trustee Fee Examiner Guidelines. Learn how these tools function both as forensic instruments for post-filing for fee application review and as prophylactic measures for pre-submission invoice cleanliness—and why understanding them is essential to meeting your ethical obligations under Model Rules 1.1, 1.5, and 3.3. Whether you bill $10K or $10M annually, the same principles apply. Discover how AI-driven analytics can become a value driver that enhances client relationships and positions you as a forward-thinking practitioner who proactively ensures reasonable fees.

This panel will address merchant cash advance financing, its history, structure, enforcement and treatment in bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy cases.

In consumer Chapter 13 practice, successful plans are rarely accidental. This panel reframes the most common causes of plan failure into practical strategies for success, focusing on how attorneys can proactively navigate confirmation, compliance, and completion. Designed for consumer attorneys, the program addresses the issues that most often derail plans, and how to avoid them.

This TED-Talk–style panel brings together experienced bankruptcy practitioners to address three critical aspects of modern bankruptcy practice: recent Supreme Court developments, strategic considerations in deciding whether to file for bankruptcy, and the impact of language and terminology on advocacy and outcomes. Through concise, focused presentations, the panel explores how legal doctrine, strategic judgment, and effective communication intersect to shape successful bankruptcy representation. 

Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from a source of concern to an essential tool for legal practice. This interactive session moves beyond warnings to focus on how bankruptcy attorneys and judges can harness AI’s power today. Through real-world examples and live demonstrations, panelists will explore practical applications—from covenant analysis and motion drafting to case preparation and fee applications.Learn how to craft effective AI prompts, understand the differences between public and private AI systems, and discover tools that transform routine legal tasks. Whether representing clients or presiding over cases, attendees will gain actionable strategies to work more efficiently while maintaining accuracy and ethical standards.

This panel will provide attendees with strategies to handle complex issues that can arise in consumer cases – sometimes common, sometimes not. Topics that will be covered include UCC-1 fixture filings, multi-filers, extensions or imposition of the automatic stay, and when a debtor should consider filing a Chapter 11 petition under Subchapter V. The panel will also discuss recent trends in consumer cases.

In this session, the panel will discuss recent developments in Sub-V cases as well as common issues that arise from the perspective of the practitioner, Sub-V Trustee and Judge.

In this session, we will explore the unique stressors facing members of the bench and bar and how these pressures affect professional performance and personal well‑being, with a particular focus on the negative impacts of multitasking and distraction and how they can be managed to improve overall well-being.