Thursday, September 29
12:00-5:30 p.m.
ABI Registration Desk Open
1:00-1:15 p.m.
Welcome
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Plenary Session: How to Argue Bankruptcy Issues to Courts of General Jurisdiction
This session will provide guidance on how to frame your argument, avoid jargon, provide the appropriate statutory framework and strengthen your case when presenting arguments before nonbankruptcy judges.
Sherri L. Wattenbarger, Moderator
Office of the U.S. Trustee, Region 13; Kansas City
Hon. Karen Arnold-Burger
Kansas Court of Appeals; Topeka, Kan.
Hon. Duane Benton
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; Kansas City
Hon. Kevin P. Moriarty
Johnson County, Kansas District Court; Olathe, Kan.
Hon. Brian C. Wimes
U.S. District Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
2:15-2:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by RubinBrown LLP
2:30-3:45 p.m.
Concurrent Breakouts (2)
Consumer Track: “Can You Make a Rash Decision?”: Valuation Issues in Consumer Cases
In an informative and fun game show format, this panel will present a whole host of valuation issues that arise in bankruptcy.
Wesley F. Smith, Moderator
Stevens & Brand LLP; Lawrence, Kan.
Andrew J. Nazar
Polsinelli; Kansas City
Hon. Cynthia A. Norton
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Hon. Dale L. Somers
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Wichita
Business Track: Hot and Emerging Topics in § 363 Sales: Of Structured Dismissals and Creeping Liabilities
Section 363 sales have become a widely accepted, if not preferred, method of monetizing the assets of a debtor in chapter 11 bankruptcy. This expert panel will discuss the hot and emerging topics related to § 363 sales.
Lisa G. Beckerman, Moderator
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; New York
Richard Peil
GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC; Phoenix
Thomas J. Salerno
Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Phoenix
Hon. Anita L. Shodeen
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Iowa); Des Moines
3:45-4:00 p.m.
Refreshment Break
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakouts (2)
Consumer Track: Silence Is Not Golden: Disclosure Issues in Consumer Cases
This ethics session will discuss the various disclosure obligations that exist in consumer cases.
Bruce E. Strauss, Moderator
Merrick, Baker & Strauss, P.C.; Kansas City
Daniel J. Casamatta
Acting U.S. Trustee, Region 13; Kansas City
David A. Eron
Eron Law; Wichita, Kan.
Hon. Lee M. Jackwig
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Iowa); Des Moines
Sara Rittman
Rittman Law, LLC; Jefferson City, Mo.
Business Track: Representing the Corporate Client in Bankruptcy
This session will discuss the difficulties in representing a corporate client, including issues that arise when there is a conflict between what is in the best interest of the company versus the personal interests of the officers and directors, especially in an insolvency situation.
Scott A. Eisenberg, Moderator
Amherst Partners; Birmingham, Mich.
Thomas M. Horan
Shaw Fishman Glantz & Towbin, LLC
Laura Uberti Hughes
Bryan Cave LLP; St. Louis
Nancy A. Peterman
Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Chicago
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Opening Reception
Sponsored by Advisory Board Member Firms
Friday, September 30
7:30-8:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by MorrisAnderson
8:00-8:15 a.m.
Welcome and Second-Day Announcements
8:15-9:45 a.m.
Plenary Session
Great Debates
Brian T. Fenimore, Moderator
Lathrop & Gage LLP; Kansas City
Consumer Debate
Resolved: An out-of-statute proof of claim violates the FDCPA.
Pro: Thad O. Bartholow
Kellett & Bartholow PLLC; Dallas
Con: Alane A. Becket
Becket & Lee, LLP; Malvern, Pa.
Business Debate
Resolved: Assets can be sold free and clear of liens in state court receiverships.
Pro: Claire Ann Resop
Steinhilber, Swanson, Resop & Sipsma; Madison, Wis.
Con: Hon. Arthur B. Federman
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Judges Debate
Resolved: Third-party releases should not be allowed in chapter 11 plans.
Pro: Hon. Dennis R. Dow
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Con: Hon. Thomas L. Saladino
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Neb.); Omaha
9:45-10:00 a.m.
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by Stinson Leonard Street LLP
10:00-11:15 a.m.
Plenary Session
Bankruptcy Law Round-Up
This session will feature a “speed-dating-style” roundtable discussion of current bankruptcy and practical skills issues, with regional judges, trustees and academics changing tables every 15-20 minutes.
Coordinating Moderators:
Lisa A. Epps
Spencer Fane LLP; Kansas City
Jill D. Olsen
The Olsen Law Firm, LLC; Kansas City
Table Moderators:
Hon. Robert D. Berger
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Kansas City
Prof. Andrea J. Boyack
Washburn University School of Law; Topeka, Kan.
Daniel J. Casamatta
Acting U.S. Trustee, Region 13; Kansas City
Hon. Thad J. Collins
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Iowa); Cedar Rapids
Hon. Dennis R. Dow
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Hon. Arthur B. Federman
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Richard V. Fink
Chapter 13 Trustee (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Will H. Griffin
Chapter 13 Trustee (D. Kan.); Fairview
Hon. Lee M. Jackwig
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Iowa); Des Moines
Hon. Janice Miller Karlin
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Topeka
Kathleen A. Laughlin
Chapter 13 Trustee (D. Neb.); Omaha
Hon. Cynthia A. Norton
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Hon. Robert E. Nugent
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Wichita
Hon. Charles “Sketch” Rendlen
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis
Hon. Thomas L. Saladino
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Neb.); Omaha
Hon. Anita L. Shodeen
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Iowa); Des Moines
Hon. Dale L. Somers
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Topeka
Hon. Kathy Surratt-States
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Concurrent Breakouts (2)
Consumer Track: A Comparison of Individual Chapter 11s to Chapter 13: There Is a Decided Difference
While they share many similarities, individual chapter 11 cases are markedly different from chapter 13 cases. This session will highlight the differences between these two types of cases and the potential pitfalls that exist for the uninformed practitioner.
Mark G. Stingley, Moderator
Bryan Cave LLP; Kansas City
Rudy J. Cerone
McGlinchey Stafford PLLC; New Orleans
Lee M. Kutner
KutnerBrinen, P.C.; Denver
Patricia A. Redmond
Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.; Miami
James Patrick Shea
Armstrong Teasdale LLP; Las Vegas
Business Track: The § 1111(b) Election: What It Is and Why You Should Care
A seldom-used, and even lesser-understood, provision of the Bankruptcy Code, the 1111(b) election can provide substantial leverage to a secured creditor in a bankruptcy case. This session will detail what the election is and why — as either a creditors’ or debtors’ attorney — you should understand the ramifications it can have on your case.
John J. Cruciani
Husch Blackwell LLP; Kansas City
Franklind D. Lea
Tactical Financial Consulting, LLC; Alpharetta, Ga.
12:15-1:45 p.m.
Awards Ceremony and Announcements
Networking Lunch
1:45-2:45 p.m.
Concurrent Breakouts (2)
Consumer Track: Elder Law and Bankruptcy
As the elderly population continues to grow, the intersection between bankruptcy and elder law will continue to grow with it. This session will focus on issues unique to elder law and the various considerations every consumer practitioner should know when these two very unique areas of law intersect.
P. Glen Smith, Moderator
Smith Elder & Business Law LLC; Kansas City
Stacey L. Janssen
Dysart Taylor Cotter McMonigle & Montemore, P.C.; Kansas City
John C. Reed
Pletz and Reed, P.C.; Columbia, Mo.
Molly M. Wood
Stevens & Brand LLP; Lawrence, Kan.
Business Track: WARN Act Employee Claims and Their Impact on Chapter 11 Cases
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act can have a substantial impact on the administration and reorganization of a chapter 11 debtor. This panel of chapter 11 and WARN Act experts will discuss the impact that the WARN Act has in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
Daniel F. Dooley, Moderator
MorrisAnderson; Chicago
Michael B. Bernstein
Arnold & Porter LLP; Washington, D.C.
Domenic E. Pacitti
Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP; Wilmington, Del.
René S. Roupinian
Outten & Golden LLP; New York
2:45-3:00 p.m.
Refreshment Break
3:00-4:30 p.m.
Plenary Session
Bankruptcy Ethics Jeopardy
Set in the game show format of “Jeopardy,” this interactive ethics session will test the knowledge of the audience, provide valuable ethics information, and encourage networking among the participants.
Prof. Barbara Glesner Fines
UMKC School of Law; Kansas City
4:30 p.m.
Adjourn
Chairs
Hon. Dennis R. Dow, Judicial Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Rachel L. Foley, Co-Chair
Foley Law, PC; Independence, Mo.
Eric L. Johnson, Co-Chair
Spencer Fane LLP; Kansas City
Advisory Board
Bryan C. Bacon
Evans & Dixon, L.L.C.; Columbia, Mo.
Mark V. Bossi
Thompson Coburn LLP; St. Louis
John J. Cruciani
Husch Blackwell LLP; Kansas City
Jeffrey A. Deines
Lentz Clark Deines PA; Overland Park, Kan.
Daniel F. Dooley
MorrisAnderson; Chicago
Susan K. Ehlers
Armstrong Teasdale LLP; St. Louis
Lisa A. Epps
Spencer Fane LLP; Kansas City
Brian T. Fenimore
Lathrop & Gage LLP; Kansas City
Laurence M. Frazen
Bryan Cave LLP; Kansas City
Jeana L. Goosmann
Goosmann Law Firm, PLC; Sioux City, Iowa
Benjamin F. Mann
Husch Blackwell LLP; Kansas City
Mark Moedritzer
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.; Kansas City
Andrew W. Muller
Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Kansas City
Andrew J. Nazar
Polsinelli PC; Kansas City
Edward J. Nazar
Hinkle Law Firm LLC; Wichita, Kan.
Hon. Cynthia A. Norton
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Gary A. Norton
Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C.; Des Moines, Iowa
Jill D. Olsen
The Olsen Law Firm, LLC; Kansas City
Paul D. Sinclair
Polsinelli PC; Kansas City
Wesley F. Smith
Stevens & Brand LLP; Lawrence, Kan.
Mark G. Stingley
Bryan Cave LLP; Kansas City
Bruce E. Strauss
Merrick, Baker & Strauss, P.C.; Kansas City
Sherri L. Wattenbarger
Office of the U.S. Trustee; Kansas City
Victor F. Weber
Merrick, Baker & Strauss, P.C.; Kansas City
Ronald S. Weiss
Berman, DeLeve, Kuchan & Chapman, LLC; Kansas City
T. Randall Wright
Baird Holm LLP; Omaha, Neb.
Conference Information
Location/Hotel Accommodations
The Institute will be held at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, located at One East Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108. ABI has arranged a special conference rate of $151/single or double per night. Make your reservations by August 29, 2016, to secure this special rate. ABI cannot guarantee anyone a room after the August 29 cut-off date or after the specially rated ABI block has been filled. You will receive a special room reservation link after you have registered with ABI. The hotel will sell out. Please make your reservations accordingly.
Ground/Air Transportation
Air: The Westin Kansas City is approximately 20 miles from Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
Ground: Courtesy phones for taxi service are located both inside and outside the terminal at each baggage claim area and at other strategic locations outside the terminal exits. Make sure that you give the dispatcher your exact location. If calling from a personal phone, call (816) 243-2345.
Local Information
For information about Kansas City restaurants, shopping, attractions, etc., see the Visit Kansas City website at www.visitkc.com or TripAdvisor at www.tripadvisor.com.
Continuing Education Credit
This program is approved for 12 hours of CLE credit in Missouri, including 3.6 hours of ethics and professionalism. 12 hours of general CLE credit, including 3.5 hours of ethics, are pending in Kansas and other 50-minute-hour states, and 10 hours of general CLE credit, including 3 hours of ethics, are pending in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour. Credit hours granted are subject to approval from each state. California MCLE: ABI certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit in the amount of 10 hours, of which 3 hours will apply to ethics. NY MCLE: This transitional and nontransitional program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the CLE Board for a maximum of 12 credit hours, of which 3.5 hours of credit can be applied toward the ethics professionalism requirement. 12 hours of CPE credit, including 3.5 hours of ethics, are also available.
*ABI offers intermediate-level courses, which assume that attendees will have at least some detailed knowledge in insolvency matters (pursuant to the “Statement on Standards for CPE Programs” established by AICPA and NASBA). ABI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE sponsors. State boards of accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Ave. North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417, or www.nasba.org. For more information regarding administrative policies such as complaint and refund, please contact the American Bankruptcy Institute at (703) 739-0800. ABI acknowledges that in some instances there will be persons who need to attend an educational seminar for CLE credit who are not able to pay full registration fees. ABI will handle such instances on a case-by-case basis and will work with the individual on alternative solutions. For persons who cannot meet the full registration rate, ABI will offer a reduced rate based on what the individual can reasonably afford to cover the cost of meals and materials. For persons unable to pay a reduced rate, ABI may allow the individual to work at the registration area for a few hours during attendee check-in, or assist in conference set-up. ABI also has reduced rates for government employees, professors, law clerks and students. Financial assistance is available for this program. For more information, please contact the American Bankruptcy Institute at (703) 739-0800 or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Cancellation Policy
All fees, except a $75 handling fee, will be refunded if written notice of cancellation is received by September 8, 2016. No refunds will be granted after September 8, but substitutions will be allowed. After September 8, upon written request, a coupon for 20% off the registration fee (not including optional events) will be issued, which can be used (by the canceling registrant only) for any ABI educational program up to one year after this conference, or for this same conference next year.
Premium Sponsors
GlassRatner
MorrisAnderson
RubinBrown LLP
Spencer Fane LLP
Stinson Leonard Street LLP
Patron Sponsors
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Baird Holm LLP
Berman, DeLeve, Kuchan & Chapman, LLC
Bryan Cave LLP
Evans & Dixon, L.L.C
Foley Law, PC
Goosmann Law Firm, PLC
Hinkle Law Firm LLC
Husch Blackwell LLP
Lathrop & Gage LLP
Lentz Clark Deines PA
Merrick, Baker & Strauss, P.C.
MorrisAnderson
Polsinelli PC
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P
Stevens & Brand LLP
The Olsen Law Firm, LLC
Thompson Coburn LLP
Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C.
Supporting Sponsors
Amherst Partners
Special Thanks
We extend our special thanks Thomson Reuters for providing the printed educational materials and Wilmington Trust for the tote bags.
Conference Rates
Registration Rates | Early Bird (postmarked by 7/29/16) |
Regular (7/30/16- 9/2/16) |
Late (after 9/2/16) |
|
|||
Business Track: ABI Member
|
$355
|
$410
|
$455
|
Business Track: New ABI Member*
|
$630
|
$685
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$730
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Consumer Track: ABI Member
|
$265
|
$290
|
$325
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Consumer Track: New ABI Member*
|
$540
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$565
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$600
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* Includes a one-year ABI membership for first-time members — a $295 value! You must be an ABI member to attend. Membership is individual and nonrefundable. If your membership has expired, select the member rate and add in your membership renewal fee (see below).
Exhibitor Rates
Member Exhibitor Registration**
|
$1,100
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New Member Exhibitor Registration***
|
$1,395
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Additional Booth Representative
|
$500
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** Includes one 6’ table and full registration for one booth representative.
*** Includes one 6’ table and full registration for one booth representative AND a one-year ABI membership.