11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Registration

11:45 a.m.-12:00 noon

Welcome

12:00-1:00 p.m.

Frank W. Koger Memorial Luncheon and Lecture

Business Dynamics and Economic Growth

This panel will explore the myths and data behind the reasons why companies fail or succeed. The panelists will also discuss business creation and closure trends in the U.S., as well as the entrepreneurial ecosystem in terms of supporting firm growth and "recycling" firm failures, using examples from Silicon Valley, Kansas City, Boulder, Colo., and around the world.

Dane Stangler

Startup Genome; Kansas City, Mo.

1:00-1:10 p.m.

Refreshment Break

1:10-3:10 p.m.

Plenary Session

Ethics

When we look at sanctions opinions, we often don’t recognize the underlying social science causes of certain decisions — even the decisions of smart, well-educated people. This session will provide a primer on why smart people often make bad choices and will discuss certain sanctions opinions to put that social science view into context.

Adam Miller

Office of the U.S. Trustee; Kansas City, Mo.

Nancy Rapoport

William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Las Vegas

3:10-3:25 p.m.

Refreshment Break

3:25-4:25 p.m.

Concurrent Breakouts (2)

Consumer Track: Reverse Mortgages: HECM or HICUP?

A reverse mortgage can begin as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage but for some it becomes a nightmare by Home Invalidation Causing Undeniable Pain. Learn what a Reverse Mortgage is, how one qualifies for the loan, and the traps that may lie ahead if your client files bankruptcy.

Rachel Foley, Moderator

Foley Law, P.C.; Independence, Mo.

James M. Bicknell

Community First National Bank; Overland Park, Kan.

Toby English

Community First National Bank; Overland Park, Kan.

Ronald Farmer

Ches, Inc.; Kansas City, Mo.

Business Track: Restaurants and Retail and Real Estate — Oh My!

The panelists will discuss the current state of affairs of the retail and restaurant industries as they continue to contract, and what that means for real estate values. Topics will include whether you must file bankruptcy to restructure multiple leases, franchisee issues with franchisors in closing locations, the alternate use of vacated real estate locations, and much more.

Navin Nagrani, Moderator

Hilco Global; Northbrook, Ill.

David Pollack

Ballard Spahr LLP; Philadelphia

Hon. Kathy A. Surratt-States

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis

Mark Welch

MorrisAnderson; Pittsburgh

4:25-5:25 p.m.

Concurrent Breakouts (2)

Consumer Track: Threats to and Opportunities for Consumer Practice

This session features a discussion of changes to bankruptcy law that are affecting and will continue to affect the day-to-day practice of consumer bankruptcy attorneys — and how you can ensure that your business survives in this challenging landscape.

Michelle Masoner, Moderator

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP; Kansas City, Mo.

Jill Olsen

The Olsen Law Firm, LLC; Liberty, Mo.

Brian Shaw

Fox Rothschild LLP; Chicago

Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff (ret.)

Oak Park, Ill.

Business Track: Anatomy of a Farm Insolvency

This session will examine the ins and outs of a farming insolvency by discussing the current farm economy and the items and practices that are unique to this specific industry, as well as chapter 12 and potential pitfalls for the unwary.

Brent King

GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group; Lenexa, Kan.

Hon. Dale Somers

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Topeka, Kan.

Donald L. Swanson

Koley Jessen; Omaha, Neb.

Laura Hughes

Rabo Ag Finance; St. Louis

5:30-7:00 p.m.

Opening Networking Reception

7:30-8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Sponsored by MorrisAnderson

8:00-8:15 a.m.

Welcome and Second-Day Announcements

8:15-9:30 a.m.

Plenary Session

Bankruptcy Law Is Confusing, Even for Nerds: A Caselaw Update

Bill Rochelle, ABI's editor-at-large, analyzes the most important decisions in the last year affecting both consumer and reorganization law. He’ll cover issues where the courts are split and questions that the U.S. Supreme Court should be answering in the next few years.

William J. Rochelle

American Bankruptcy Institute; New York

9:30-9:45 a.m.

Refreshment Break

9:45-11:00 a.m.

Plenary Session

“ABI Talks”

The speakers will each present short “TED Talk”-styled topics on a variety of timely and emerging issues germane to bankruptcy practitioners, including Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, immigration, student loans, mediation, seat licenses and litigation funding.

N. Larry Bork

Goodell Stratton Edmonds & Palmer LLP; Topeka, Kan.

Hon. Brian T. Fenimore

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.

Trey Monsour

Polsinelli; Houston

Mira Mdivani

Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm; Overland Park, Kan.

Braden Perry

Kennyhertz Perry LLC; Kansas City, Mo.

11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Concurrent Breakouts (2)

Consumer Track: Trustees Administering Unusual Assets

This program will focus its discussion on the administration by trustees of unusual assets, including tort and class action claims, intellectual property, alcohol, firearms and drugs. The panelists will also delve into the process of abandonment of assets by trustees.

Hon. Cynthia A. Norton

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.

Deborah L. Petersen

Petersen Law PLLC; Council Bluffs, Iowa

Bruce E. Strauss

Merrick, Baker & Strauss, PC; Kansas City, Mo.

Nicholas J. Zluticky

Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Kansas City, Mo.

Business Track: Show Me the Money: Procedural and Practical Considerations Regarding the Use of Cash Collateral and DIP Financing

Cash collateral and DIP financing can be the lifeblood of a chapter 11 case. This presentation will be a primer on obtaining the use of cash collateral and debtor-in-possession financing in a chapter 11 case. The panelists will explore both the procedural requirements and practical aspects in obtaining this relief, including common missteps and the dynamics between the various constituencies and the bench.

Eric L. Johnson, Moderator

Spencer Fane LLP; Kansas City, Mo.

Hon. Katherine A. Constantine

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Minn.); St. Paul, Minn.

Devon J. Eggert

Freeborn & Peters LLP; Chicago

12:00-1:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch

Michael R. Roser Excellence in Bankruptcy Award Ceremony

1:15-2:15 p.m.

Plenary Session

Impact of the Tax Reform Bill

The only constant in the tax world is change, and the New Tax Act brings many changes that will likely affect individuals and businesses through 2025. The panel members will discuss the major changes to the U.S. Tax Code that impact American taxpayers, and where those tax law changes may intersect with individuals and businesses considering bankruptcy protection.

Paul D. Sinclair, Moderator

Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gonard P.C.; Kansas City, Mo.

Hon. Robert D. Berger

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Kansas City, Kan.

Susan A. Berson

Berson Law Group LLP; Overland Park, Kan.

Julie Welsh

2:15-2:30 p.m.

Refreshment Break

2:30-4:00 p.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 other presenters. Attendees will change tables every 15-20 minutes, selecting from a variety of topics/cases/issues.

Hon. Robert D. Berger

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Kansas City, Kan.

Prof. Andrea Boyack

Washburn University; Topeka, Kan.

Hon. Katherine A. Constantine

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Minn.); St. Paul, Minn.

Crystanna Cox

First American Title Insurance Company; Overland Park, Kan.

Diana Spuhl Daugherty

Office of Standing Chapter 13 Trustee EDMo; St. Louis

Hon. Dennis R. Dow

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.

Hon. Brian T. Fenimore

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.

Richard V. Fink

Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee; Kansas City, Mo.

Hon. Teresa J. James, Magistrate Judge

U.S. District Court (D. Kan.); Kansas City

Kathleen A. Laughlin

Chapter 13 Trustee District of Nebraska; Omaha, Neb.

Hon. Cynthia A. Norton

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.

Paul A. Randolph

Office of the U.S. Trustee; St. Louis

Hon. Charles E. Rendlen

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis

Mindy Smith

United States Bankruptcy Court (W.D.Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.

James Snyder

Office of the U.S. Trustee; Des Moines, Iowa

Hon. Dale Somers

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Topeka, Kan.

Hon. Kathy A. Surratt-States

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis

Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff (ret.)

Oak Park, Ill.

4:00 p.m.

Adjourn