2026

This panel presents an insightful and candid discussion with esteemed bankruptcy judges as they address the most pressing and debated issues currently shaping the bankruptcy landscape. From emerging trends in subchapter V cases to the evolving standards for good faith filings, this interactive session provides attendees with a unique opportunity to hear directly from the bench. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the field, you'll gain valuable perspectives on how courts are interpreting today’s most complex challenges — and what they can mean for your practice.Learning Objectives:Attendees will analyze recent trends and significant rulings in bankruptcy law by understanding how judges interpret and apply key principles in real-world cases.Attendees will gain practical insights from the bench on how judges approach complex or novel issues, enhancing strategic thinking for case planning and litigation.Attendees will identify emerging topics and challenges in bankruptcy practice through discussion of current developments and potential future directions in the field.

This panel explores the evolving role of valuation across restructuring and corporate governance. The panelists discuss how prediction markets can inform valuation through market-implied probabilities, the downstream impact of valuation on key governance issues such as solvency, distributions and fiduciary claims, and the authority of litigation trustees to pursue litigation finance. Through practical frameworks and recent developments, the session highlights key considerations, benefits and risks for practitioners.Learning Objectives:Attendees will understand how valuation informs restructuring and corporate governance decisions, including solvency assessments, distributions, and fiduciary obligations.Attendees will evaluate the use of prediction markets and other tools in assessing market-implied probabilities for valuation purposes.Attendees will analyze the authority of litigation trustees to pursue litigation finance and the practical implications for corporate restructuring and litigation strategy.

The Prospect Medical decision treated preservation of the going concern as a form of adequate protection — opening the door to priming DIPs even when equity cushions are thin or nonexistent. Is this the start of a new doctrinal shift, or simply an outlier from the Northern District of Texas? This session examines what the case means for DIP financing, valuation and secured lender rights.Learning Objectives:Attendees will analyze the legal and practical implications of using going-concern value as a basis for adequate protection in priming DIP financing structures.Attendees will evaluate the impact of the Prospect Medical decision on debtor-in-possession financing, valuation disputes, and secured creditor rights.Attendees will assess whether recent case law signals a doctrinal shift in DIP financing standards or represents a limited, fact-specific deviation from established precedent.

This session will focus on the increased scrutiny on the sale of claims and causes of action against insider purchasers. Everyone wants an out-of-court deal — until someone asks for a market test. Is it a vital validation tool, or an obstacle that kills momentum? The panelists will take a candid look at when market checks matter, when they don’t, and how to strike the balance that gets deals across the finish line.Learning Objectives:Attendees will evaluate the role of market testing in out-of-court transactions, including when it serves as a meaningful validation tool versus when it may hinder deal execution.Attendees will identify legal and practical considerations surrounding the sale of claims and causes of action, particularly in transactions involving insider purchasers.Attendees will develop strategies to balance diligence, transparency, and efficiency in order to successfully structure and close out-of-court deals.

Sale leaseback transactions are often marketed as win-win situations — unlocking capital while allowing companies to retain operational control of critical assets. But beneath the surface, these structures can carry significant and sometimes underestimated risks. This panel will take a hard look at the “dark side” of sale leasebacks, exploring how transactions that appear overly rosy at inception can later become the focal point of financial distress and legal battles. The panelists will examine the operational ramifications of sale leasebacks, including constraints on flexibility, long-term cost burdens, and impacts on liquidity and capital adequacy. The discussion also will address litigation risks, particularly claims tied to solvency, ability to pay debts, and allegations of fraudulent conveyance or improper capitalization. As sale leasebacks continue to gain traction — especially in capital-intensive and distressed environments — the panelists will explore why this structure remains attractive and how it is reflected on a company’s financial statements from an accounting and disclosure perspective.Learning Objectives:Attendees will evaluate the operational and financial implications of sale leaseback transactions, including their effects on liquidity, capital adequacy, and long-term cost structure.Attendees will analyze the potential restructuring and litigation risks associated with sale leasebacks, including solvency challenges, fraudulent conveyance claims, and disputes over capitalization.Attendees will assess how sale leasebacks are structured and presented in financial statements, including key accounting and disclosure considerations that may affect stakeholder interpretation and risk assessment.

Hosted by ABI's Bankruptcy Litigation Committee.Plan confirmation is the defining moment of every chapter 11 case — the place where negotiation, litigation and strategy converge. While the Bankruptcy Code sets the framework, the outcome often turns on valuation disputes, creditor dynamics, feasibility challenges and the strategic use of cramdown. This webinar will take an inside look at how chapter 11 plans are actually won and lost. The panelists will explore the key battles that shape confirmation, from classification and voting issues to contested valuation fights and emerging disputes over third-party releases. Drawing on real-world experiences, the discussion will focus on how debtors, creditors and committees build leverage, resolve objections, and navigate contested confirmation hearings in today’s restructuring landscape.

Join us for the 2026 Consumer Practice Experience (CPEX), our go-to event for cutting-edge insights and practical strategies in consumer bankruptcy practice. This year is especially exciting, as CPEX now has its own dedicated consumer website, giving attendees even more value beyond the conference itself.

In today’s digitally connected world, attorneys encounter both challenges and opportunities at the intersection of social media, credit reporting and bankruptcy law. This panel will begin by debunking common social media myths and scams that can complicate client advisement and the setting of realistic legal expectations. The panelists will then explore the complex relationship between credit reporting and bankruptcy, providing insights to help attorneys guide clients through financial restructuring. Finally, the discussion will highlight strategies for using social media to positively shape public perception and expand access to essential legal information.Learning Objectives:Explore common social media myths and scams that complicate client advisement and realistic expectation-setting.Analyze the intersection of credit reporting and bankruptcy.Discuss methods for using social media to positively influence public understanding and improve access to legal information. 

The automatic stay is one of the most powerful and well-known protections in bankruptcy — but it’s not always as “automatic” as it seems. This panel will explore the gray areas and exceptions where the automatic stay's application is unclear, limited or even nonexistent. The panelists will cover who gets the stay, violations, repeat filers (including the ambiguity of § 362(c)(3)) and other nuanced issues surrounding the automatic stay in consumer cases. They also will discuss recent case law, practical pitfalls, and strategies for advising clients when the stay’s protection is uncertain or contested.Learning Objectives:Attendees will learn how to identify situations in which the automatic stay applies, including exceptions, limitations, and the nuances affecting repeat filers under Section 362(c)(3).Attendees will gain practical guidance on recognizing and addressing potential automatic stay violations, including strategies for advising clients when the stay’s protection is uncertain or contested.Attendees will understand recent case law and emerging trends that impact the application of the automatic stay in consumer bankruptcy cases, equipping them to navigate complex scenarios and avoid common pitfalls. 

This session will provide timely updates on recent cases, offering practical insights and guidance on the latest developments in consumer bankruptcy law.Learning Objectives:Attendees will learn about recent bankruptcy case decisions and understand their practical implications for advocacy and strategy.Attendees will gain insight into how courts are interpreting key issues in bankruptcy law and the trends emerging from recent rulings.Attendees will be able to apply updates from recent cases to their practice, enhancing their ability to anticipate judicial perspectives and outcomes.