Event Information 249130

Wednesday, September 13

7:30 a.m.

Registration Opens

8:00-9:15 a.m.

Welcome and WSJ Pro Bankruptcy Breakfast Briefing

Navigating Retail's Woes

There have been numerous retailer bankruptcies so far in 2017 — from The Limited to Gymboree — and more are expected as the industry grapples with the consumer shift to online shopping. During this session, Lillian Rizzo of the Wall Street Journal will lead a discussion on the biggest issues facing retailers, and how advisers, investors and the companies themselves are navigating these difficult times. The panelists will look at the biggest issues faced by companies when they seek bankruptcy protection — as well as situations in which retailers were able to stave off a bankruptcy filing.

Robert McMahon

Encina Business Credit LLC, Chicago, Ill.

Perry Mandarino

B. Riley & Co., LLC, New York

9:15-10:30 a.m.

Plenary Session

Potpourri: Mediation, Opportunities for Young Lawyers, and the Role of Delaware Counsel

This judges' panel will include a discussion of various aspects of mediation, the judges' views on developing and encouraging younger lawyers, and a discussion of the important role served by Delaware lawyers when acting as local counsel.

Mark Minuti, Moderator

Saul Ewing LLP; Wilmington

Hon. Brendan L. Shannon, Chief Judge

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Kevin J. Carey

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Kevin Gross

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Laurie Selber Silverstein

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Mary F. Walrath

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

10:30-10:45 a.m.

Refreshment Break

10:45-12:00 noon

Plenary Session

A Tale of Two Business Courts

This panel will discuss the similarities and differences of judicial approaches in Delaware’s two most prominent business courts: Chancery and Bankruptcy. The panelists will discuss how the different courts approach their reviews of transactions and the statutory interpretations for two statute-driven practices, and how an appellate court views the two courts.

Mark S. Chehi, Moderator

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Wilmington

Hon. Brendan L. Shannon, Chief Judge

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Joseph R. Slights III, Vice Chancellor

Delaware Court of Chancery

Hon. Kent A. Jordan, Circuit Judge

U.S. Court of Appeals (3d Cir.); Wilmington

Paul J. Lockwood

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Wilmington

12:00-1:30 p.m.

Luncheon and Plenary Session: Reflections on Delaware's Largest Ch. 11 Case

Stacey Doré

Hunt Utility Services and InfraREIT; Dallas

Former Exec. V.P. and General Counsel EFH

Chad J. Husnick

Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Chicago

1:30-1:45 p.m.

Networking Break

1:45-2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (3)

Young Lawyers Track: Nuts & Bolts on First-Day Motions

This panel will consider issues related to the preparation and presentation of first-day motions, including strategies for guiding the company through the pre-filing process, efficient and timely collection of relevant data, and the presentation of necessary information to the court.

Paul N. Heath, Moderator

Richards, Layton & Finger, PA; Wilmington

Hon. Laurie Selber Silverstein

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Walter Brown

FTI Consulting, Inc., Dallas, TX

Debra A. Dandeneau

Baker & McKenzie LLP; New York

Sunny Singh

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; New York

Mid-Level Track: Time for Trial: Presenting Evidence in Contested Matters Before Bankruptcy Courts

This panel will explore presenting evidence in contested matters before bankruptcy courts, including laying proper evidentiary foundations, attacking evidentiary foundations, common evidentiary objections, and strategic considerations in presenting or contesting evidence in a contested matter before a bankruptcy court — along with insight from an experienced judge on the most effective strategies and judicial preferences.

Donald J. Detweiler, Moderator

Pepper Hamilton LLP; Wilmington

Hon. Brendan L. Shannon, Chief Judge

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Patrick J. Neligan, Jr.

Neligan LLP; Dallas

Melissa S. Kibler

Mackinac Partners, Chicago

Catherine L. Steege

Jenner & Block; Chicago

Experienced Practitioners Track: Trends in Secured Financing, DIP Lending, Cash Collateral and Exit Financing

This panel will discuss current trends and recent decisions in cash collateral usage, debtor-in-possession financings and exit financings, including strategies for effectively negotiating such financing arrangements, best practices and addressing common objections.

Robert J. Dehney, Moderator

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP; Wilmington

Hon. Kevin J. Carey

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Matthew Barr

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; New York

Dimitri G. Karcazes

Goldberg Kohn Ltd.; Chicago

2:45-3:00 p.m.

Networking Break

3:00-4:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (3)

Young Lawyers Track: Best Practices for Motion and Brief Drafting

This panel will discuss the best practices for drafting motions and briefs and presenting those filings to the court when they are contested and uncontested. The panelists also will discuss the pitfalls to avoid when drafting motions and briefs and presenting those pleadings to the court.

Kate Stickles, Moderator

Cole Schotz P.C.; Wilmington

Hon. Mary F. Walrath

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Leah M. Eisenberg

Foley & Lardner LLP; New York

James E. Van Horn

McGuireWoods LLP; Baltimore

Mid-Level Track: Career-Development Paths

This session will focus on providing a framework to help mid-level professionals develop a plan for advancement in the bankruptcy and restructuring industry, including best practices for developing and maintaining client relationships, creating a personal brand, navigating intra-firm politics, identifying opportunities for growth, and the use of business and personal networks to achieve career goals.

Christopher M. Samis, Moderator

Whiteford Taylor Preston, LLP; Wilmington

Hon. Kevin Gross

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Seth Van Aalten

Cooley LLP; New York

Peter Kravitz

Province, Inc.; Henderson, Nev.

Sarah Link Schultz

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Dallas

Experienced Practitioners Track: Hot Topics in Advanced Restructuring

This panel will discuss some of the latest issues and recent decisions arising in mid-sized to large cases, including the sale of assets, plan confirmation issues, the appointment of multiple committees and case dismissal.

Laura Davis Jones, Moderator

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; Wilmington

Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Timothy Coleman

PJT Partners Inc.; New York

Marc Kieselstein

Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Chicago

Jeffery J. Stegenga

Alvarez & Marsal; Dallas

4:00-4:15 p.m.

Networking Break

4:15-5:15 p.m.

Plenary Session

"Get to Know the Judges" Panel Featuring Practice Pointers, Ethics Dos and Don'ts, and Delaware "Folk Law"

In this second all-judges panel, the six sitting Delaware bankruptcy judges will discuss dos and don'ts, Delaware practice tips and judicial preferences, and other topics related to Delaware "folk law." The panel will also include a "getting to know you" session with the judges that will provide insight into just what makes the judges tick.

Joseph M. Barry, Moderator

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP; Wilmington

Hon. Brendan L. Shannon, Chief Judge

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Kevin J. Carey

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Kevin Gross

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Laurie Selber Silverstein

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Hon. Mary F. Walrath

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

5:15-6:45 p.m.

Networking Reception

 

To view the full program brochure, click here

Conference Rates

Registration Rates* Early
(postmarked by 8/9/17)
Regular
(after 8/9/17)

ABI Member/DSBA Member
$325
$375
Govt./Nonprofit/Aca. ABI Member
$95
$95
New ABI Member*
$620
$670
New Govt./Nonprofit/Aca. ABI Member*
$190
$190

Note: If you are a DSBA member please email [email protected] to have your registration processed at the DSBA member rate. You will not be able to access this rate via the registration portal.

 

* Includes a one-year ABI membership for first-time members — a $325 value! You must be an ABI Member/DSBA Member to attend. Membership is individual and nonrefundable. If your membership has expired, select the member rate and add in your membership renewal fee.

Exhibitor Rates

ABI Member Exhibitor Registration**
$1,000
New ABI Member Exhibitor Registration***
$1,325
Additional Booth Representative
$300

** 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; you must be an ABI member to attend. Membership is individual and nonrefundable.

Note: All exhibitor rates include the breakfast and all refreshment breaks.

Delaware Views from the Bench 2017 Sponsors

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP    Ashby & Geddes    Baker & McKenzie LLP   

Barnes & Thornburg LLP    Bayard    Chipman Brown Cicero & Cole, LLP

Cole Schotz P.C.    Cooley LLP    Cozen O'Connor

Development Specialists, Inc.    Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP    Foley & Lardner LLP

Fox Rothschild LLP    Gavin/Solmonese LLC    Goldberg Kohn Ltd

Jenner & Block    KCC    Landis Rath & Cobb

McCarter & English, LLP    McGuireWoods LLP    Morris James LLP

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP    Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP    Pepper Hamilton LLP

Polsinelli    Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP    Province

Reed Smith LLP    Richards, Layton & Finger, PA    Saul Ewing LLP

Shaw Fishman Glantz & Towbin LLC    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLC    Wilmington Trust    Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor   

Special Thanks

We extend our special thanks to Gavin/Solmonese LLC for the e-newsletter, KCC for the educational materials on USB drives and Wilmington Trust for the tote bags.

 

Conference Information

Hotel

Located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, Del., the luxurious Hotel du Pont offers guests comfort and the latest technology set within Wilmington’s financial and legal district. Conveniently located just two hours from New York and Washington, D.C., 60 minutes from Baltimore and 25 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, the historic Hotel du Pont is a well-known retreat in the Mid-Atlantic corridor. ABI has arranged a special conference rate of $249 per night. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel by August 15, 2017, to secure the special rate. When calling the hotel, be sure to mention the American Bankruptcy Institute. 

 

Rooms are held on a first-come, first-served basis. ABI cannot guarantee anyone a room after the August 15 cut-off or after the specially rated ABI block has been filled. The hotel may sell out, so please make your reservations accordingly.

Continuing Education Credit

7 hours of general CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are pending in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour, and 8 hours of general CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are pending in 50-minute-hour states. Credit hours granted are subject to approval from each state. NY MCLE: This transitional and non-transitional program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the CLE Board for a maximum of 8 credit hours, of which 1 hour of credit can be applied toward the ethics professionalism requirement. 8 hours of CPE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are also available.

 

*ABI offers intermediate-level courses, which assume that attendees have some 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 submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website, www.nasbaregistry.org.

 

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. Illinois Attorneys: If registration fees are more than $500, attorneys who qualify will receive a reduction of at least 50% off the registration fee. 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 August 23, 2017. No refunds will be granted after August 23, but substitutions will be allowed. After August 23, 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.

Chairs

Jeremy W. Ryan, Co-Chair

Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP; Wilmington

Kimberly A. LaMaina, Co-Chair

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Wilmington

Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi, Judicial Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington

Advisory Board

Matt Barr

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York

Joseph Barry

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP; Wilmington

Mark S. Chehi

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Wilmington

Debra A. Dandeneau

Baker & McKenzie LLP; New York

Robert J. Dehney

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP; Wilmington

Donald J. Detweiler

Pepper Hamilton LLP; Wilmington

Leah M. Eisenberg

Foley & Lardner LLP; New York

Paul N. Heath

Richards, Layton & Finger, PA; Wilmington

Thomas M. Horan

Shaw Fishman Glantz & Towbin LLC; Wilmington

Laura Davis Jones

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; Wilmington

Dimitri G. Karcazes

Goldberg Kohn Ltd.; Chicago

Peter Kravitz

Province, Inc.; Henderson, Nev.

Mark Minuti

Saul Ewing LLP; Wilmington

Eric J. Monzo

Morris James LLP; Wilmington

Marion M. Quirk

Cole Schotz P.C.; Wilmington

Christopher M. Samis

Whiteford Taylor Preston, LLP; Wilmington

Sarah Link Schultz

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Dallas

Catherine L. Steege

Jenner & Block; Chicago

Seth Van Aalten

Cooley LLP; New York

James E. Van Horn

McGuireWoods LLP; Baltimore

Jeremy VanEtten

Gavin/Solmonese LLC; Wilmington