A record crowd of more than 450 attended the Annual Spring Meeting in Washington, April 15-18. Highlights included a panel of congressional staffers and a White House representative, all commenting on the prospects for bankruptcy reform.

Moody's Investor Services Chief Economist John Lonski provided a generally upbeat national economy forecast during a luncheon presentation, and Judge Randall Newsome (N.D. Cal.), NCBJ president, gave the annual state of the bankruptcy system address during the opening session at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The attendees, from more than 40 states and several foreign countries, received 13.5 hours of CLE credit.

Ford Elsaesser of Elsaesser, Jarzabek, Anderson, Marks and Elliott (Sandpoint, Idaho) became president for a one-year term, succeeding Deborah D. Williamson (Cox & Smith Inc.; San Antonio). Keith J. Shapiro (Greenberg Traurig; Chicago) was named president-elect. Read about what ABI's committees discussed during their meetings!

In addition, more than 270 practitioners attended the First Annual New York City Bankruptcy Conference on May 2. The event was held at the Bar Association of the City of New York.

Seven judges from the Southern District of New York joined leading professionals on nine educational panels. More than 25 prominent law, accounting and financial institutions served as financial sponsors for the very successful program.

A dinner for event sponsors at the Bryant Park Cafe concluded the event. The tentative date for next year's program is May 15, 2000.

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