Wednesday, November 11
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast and Registration
8:30-8:45 a.m.
Veterans Day Tribute and Welcome
Chief Judge Phillip J. Shefferly
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mich.); Detroit
8:45-10:15 a.m.
Opening Plenary Session
Witness Preparation
This year’s litigation session will focus on preparing a witness to testify in various bankruptcy circumstances, including § 341 meetings, Rule 2004 examinations, evidentiary hearings and trials. The session will also include “how to” and “how not to” demonstrations of witness preparation by experienced trial lawyers encompassing preparation for both direct testimony and cross-examination.
Presenters:
Thomas W. Cranmer
Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C.; Troy, Mich.
Thomas G. McNeill
Dickinson Wright PLLC; Detroit
Witnesses:
Kevin C. Calhoun
Calhoun & Di Ponio PLC; Southfield, Mich.
Kimberly M. Lubinski
Butler, Butler & Rowse-Oberle, PLLC; St. Clair Shores, Mich.
10:15-10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Litigating Stay Violations and Discharge Injunction Violations in Chapters 7 and 13
This session will discuss the different procedures, legal standards, remedies, burdens of proof and case law applicable when litigating violations of the automatic stay and violations of the discharge injunction in both chapter 7 and chapter 13 cases.
Chief Judge Phillip J. Shefferly, Moderator
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mich.); Detroit
Roberta W. Andrews
Firebaugh & Andrews P.L.L.C.; Westland, Mich.
Hon. Walter Shapero
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mich.); Detroit
Tamara A. White
Holzman Corkery PLLC; Southfield, Mich.
Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Supreme Court Update
This session will focus exclusively on recent Supreme Court decisions in bankruptcy cases, including this term’s chapter 13 cases, fee disputes and Stern updates.
Hon. Steven W. Rhodes (ret.)
Ann Arbor, Mich.
John A. E. Pottow
University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, Mich.
Law v. Siegel
This session will discuss Law v. Siegel and its implications for debtors’ exemptions,amendments to exemptions, and trustee tools to object to exemptions post-Law v. Siegel. This session will also explore the divergent case law emerging from the dicta in the Supreme Court’s opinion, and what it means to debtors and trustees going forward.
Michael A. Stevenson, Moderator
Stevenson & Bullock PLC; Southfield, Mich.
Leonora K. Baughman
Kilpatrick & Associates, P.C.; Auburn Hills, Mich.
Michael E. Baum
Schafer & Weiner PLLC; Bloomfield Hills, Mich
Hon. Thomas J. Tucker
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mich.); Detroit
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Networking Luncheon
12:50-2:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Current Issues Regarding Objections to Discharge in Chapter 7 Cases
This session will focus on a number of highly debated discharge objection issues, including responsibilities and culpability of debtors’ attorneys, procedures and criteria for settling or dismissing a § 727 objection to discharge in an adversary proceeding, and the “selling” of discharges.
Hon. Scott W. Dales
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mich.); Grand Rapids
Jill M. Gies
Office of the U.S. Trustee; Detroit
Paul R. Hage
Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss PC; Southfield, Mich.
Timothy J. Miller
Schneider Miller, P.C.; Detroit
CFPB, or Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
This session will focus on nonbankruptcy causes of action under the CFPB and similar statutes.
Caralyce M. Lassner, Moderator
Caralyce M. Lassner, JD, PC; Utica, Mich.
Melissa Byrd
Midland Credit Management, Inc.; Warren, Mich.
Kurt A. O’Keefe
Kurt A. O’Keefe; Grosse Pointe, Mich.
Karen L. Rowse-Oberle
Butler, Butler & Rowse-Oberle, PLLC; St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Adam G. Taub
Consumer Law Group, PLC; Southfield, Mich.
End-of-the-Road Issues in Chapter 13
This special session will focus on issues that frequently arise at the end of a chapter 13 case, including post-confirmation fee applications, notice of final cure issues, and other last-minute discrepancies as a debtor completes a chapter 13 case.
Christopher W. Jones, Moderator
Acclaim Legal Services, PLLC; Warren, Mich.
Lisa K. Mullen
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee; Southfield, Mich.
Hon. Daniel S. Opperman
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mich.); Detroit
Kim-Su Morden Rattet
Trott Law, P.C.; Farmington Hills, Mich.
2:00-2:10 p.m.
Break
2:10-3:20 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Forgotten and Overlooked Issues in Chapter 7
This session will discuss the various issues that exist in chapter 7 cases but are frequently overlooked, including § 350 motions to reopen, § 365(p) lease assumptions, § 366 utility motions, post-petition loan modifications, and debtors’ attorneys’ responsibilities regarding reaffirmations.
Michael P. Hogan, Moderator
Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C.; Farmington Hills, Mich.
Hon. James W. Boyd
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mich.); Grand Rapids
Stuart A. Gold
Gold Lange & Majoros, P.C.; Southfield, Mich.
Mark H. Shapiro
Steinberg Shapiro & Clark; Southfield, Mich.
Claims, Claims, Claims in Chapter 13 Cases
This session will cover chapter 13 claims issues, both from the creditor’s point of view (“What happens if I don’t file my claim by the bar date?”) and from the debtor’s point of view (“Can I file a protective claim?”), along with emerging claims issues regarding priority tax claims and nondischargeable post-discharge interest.
Kurt A. Steinke, Moderator
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee; Kalamazoo, Mich.
Danielle M. Klyce
Frego & Associates PLC; Dearborn Heights, Mich.
Hon. Marci B. McIvor
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mich.); Detroit
Noel J. Ravenscroft
Potestivo & Associates, P.C.; Rochester Hills, Mich.
Student Loans A-Z
This session will discuss student loan issues that arise both pre- and post-petition. Among the pre-petition issues are collection actions against borrowers, nonbankruptcy alternatives for borrowers, and legislative updates. Among the post-petition issues are the elements of nondischargeability under § 523(a)(8), classification of student loans in chapter 13 cases, preference actions to recover pre-petition payments on student debt and more.
Craig S. Schoenherr, Sr., Moderator
O’Reilly Rancilio P.C.; Sterling Heights, Mich.
Corey M. Carpenter
B.O.C. Law Group, P.C.; Pleasant Ridge, Mich.
Steven J. Cohen
Lieberman Gies & Cohen PLLC; Farmington Hills, Mich.
Hon. John T. Gregg
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mich.); Grand Rapids.
3:20-3:35 p.m.
Refreshment Break
3:35-5:00 p.m.
Closing Plenary Session
Annual Case Law Update — from the Circuits Down
This annual favorite will cover all of the recent consumer bankruptcy law decisions, hot topics and new cases from the circuit level on down through the district courts and bankruptcy courts, concentrating on the Sixth Circuit and the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. The session may also include any cases of interest from any other circuit or district court.
Thomas D. DeCarlo, Moderator
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee; Southfield, Mich.
Hon. John P. Gustafson
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Ohio); Toledo
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
Judicial Chair
Chief Judge Phillip J. Shefferly
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mich.); Detroit
Conference Chair
Caralyce M. Lassner
Caralyce M. Lassner, JD, PC; Utica, Mich.
Planning Committee
Melissa S. Byrd
Encore Capital Group; Warren, Mich.
Corey M. Carpenter
B.O.C. Law Group, P.C., Pleasant Ridge, Mich.
Thomas D. DeCarlo
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee; Southfield, Mich.
Jill M. Gies
Office of the U.S. Trustee; Detroit
Michael P. Hogan
Kilpatrick & Associates, P.C.; Auburn Hills, Mich.
Christopher W. Jones
Acclaim Legal Services, PLLC; Warren, Mich.
Danielle M. Klyce
Frego & Associates, PLC; Dearborn Heights, Mich.
Lisa K. Mullen
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee; Southfield, Mich
Noel J. Ravenscroft
Potestivo & Associates PC; Rochester Hills, Mich.
Craig S. Schoenherr, Sr.
O’Reilly Rancilio P.C.; Sterling Heights, Mich.
Michael A. Stevenson
Stevenson & Bullock PLC; Southfield, Mich.
Conference Information
Hotel
The elegant Somerset Inn, our host hotel, is located in the heart of Troy’s business and financial district in close proximity to The Palace at Auburn Hills, Ford Field, Comerica Park, a golf course, and several museums and theaters. ABI has reserved a block of rooms at the special conference rates of $119 for a Tower Room and $139 for an Executive Room. To secure these special rates, reservations must be made by October 27, 2015. Reservations are limited, and rooms are held on a first-come, first-served basis. ABI cannot guarantee anyone a room after the October 27 cutoff or after the specially rated ABI block has been filled.
Continuing Education Credit
6.5 hours of general CLE credit are pending in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour, and 7.5 hours of general CLE credit are pending in 50-minute-hour states. 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 6.5 hours of general CLE. NY MCLE: This transitional and non-transitional program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the CLE Board for a maximum of 7.5 credit hours, which 1.5 can be applied toward professional practice. 7.5 hours of CPE credit 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. For more information about the conference, please e-mail [email protected].
Financial Hardship Statement
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. Financial assistance is available for this program; all applications for financial assistance must be submitted by September 25, 2015. 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. For more information or to request an application, please contact the American Bankruptcy Institute at (703) 739-0800 or send an email to [email protected].
Cancellation Policy
All fees, except a $75 handling fee, will be refunded if written notice of cancellation is received by October 21, 2015. No refunds will be granted after October 21, but substitutions will be allowed. After October 21, 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.
Special Thanks
We extend our special thanks to Conway MacKenzie for the educational materials on USB drives, Donlin, Recano & Co., Inc. for the conference lanyards, Thomson Reuters for the printed educational materials and Wilmington Trust for the tote bags.
Rates
Registration Rates | Early Bird (postmarked by 8/28/15) |
Regular (after 8/28/15) |
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ABI or CBA Member
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$225
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$295
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ABI Gov’t./Academic/Nonprofit Member
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$225
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$295
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New ABI Member*
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$500
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$570
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Govt./Academic/Nonprofit New ABI Member*
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$320
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$390
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Exhibitor Rates
ABI Member Exhibitor**
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$1,000
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New ABI Member Exhibitor***
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$1,295
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* Includes a one-year ABI membership for first-time members — a $295 value! Expired members should select the member rate and add in the membership renewal fee. You must be an ABI or CBA member to attend the conference.
** 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.