Thursday, September 7
9:00 a.m.
Optional Event
Golf Tournament at Coronado Golf Course
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
American Board of Certification Exams
10:00 a.m.
Optional Event
Tour of the Aircraft Carrier Midway
3:00-6:00 p.m.
ABI Registration Desk Open
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Opening Reception
Sponsored by Bentham IMF, Development Specialists, Inc., Grant Thornton LLP and KCC
7:30-11:00 p.m.
Southwest Tequila Tasting
Click here for more information
Friday, September 8
7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
ABI Registration Desk Open
7:30-8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
Sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, LLP
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Very Good Debates
John W. Lucas, Moderator
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; San Francisco
Judicial Debate
Resolved: A debtor must obtain a judgment under chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code before it may invoke disallowance of a claim under section 502(d).
Pro: Hon. Brenda Moody Whinery
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Tucson
Con: Hon. Eugene Wedoff (ret.)
Sole Practitioner; Oak Park, Ill.
President, ABI
Business Debate
Resolved: Cure and reinstatement of a credit agreement under 1124(2) requires the payment of default interest.
Pro: Dillon E. Jackson
Foster Pepper, LLP; Seattle
Con: Joshua D. Morse
DLA Piper LLP; San Francisco
Consumer Debate
Resolved: Flat fees that are earned upon receipt may not be recovered by chapter 7 trustee upon the rejection of the fee agreement.
Pro: Cody Jess
Schian Walker; Phoenix
Con: Tiffany Carroll
Office of the U.S. Trustee, Region 15; San Diego
9:30-9:45 a.m.
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Polsinelli
9:45-11:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Third Party Litigation Funding and Issues It Creates in Bankruptcy Cases—This Ain't Your Father’s Contingency Fee Arrangement!
The panel will discuss myriad issues (including ethical issues) that have arisen, and will likely arise in the future, as the current trend of third party litigation funding begins to be a more common funding vehicle in bankruptcy cases.
Thomas J. Salerno, Moderator
Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Phoenix
Justin Brass
Jefferies LLC, New York
David Gallagher
Bentham IMF; Los Angeles
Hon. Barbara Houser
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Tex.); Dallas
Jordan Kroop
Perkins Coie LLP; Phoenix
Technology in the Courtroom
Demonstration on how to best use technology when presenting your case in Bankruptcy Court. This panel will include various “how to” demonstrations that include presenting exhibits, highlighting exhibits, etc. Plus, how to best use electronic links in briefs for case citation and other references.
Anthony Austin, Moderator
Fennemore Craig; Phoenix
Matthew Bordwin
Keen-Summit Capital; New York
Ted Burr
Henry and Horne, Phoenix
Hon. Margaret Mann
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Calif.); San Diego
Consumer Track
Update on Consumer Bankruptcies
This panel will provide a survey of recent issues in consumer bankruptcy that include stale debts and SCOTUS’ opinion in Midland Funding, LLC v. Johnson, collateral litigation — unfair debt collection, truth in lending, choice of forum, community property issues, the impact of BAPCPA, the UST audits, the heightened standard for debtor counsel, the “debt collector” notice and other burdens imposed by Congress, and recovering attorneys’ fees on unsuccessful creditor actions in bankruptcy court.
Brian Shapiro, Moderator
The Law Office of Brian Shapiro; Las Vegas
Claire Ann Resop
Swanson Resop LLP; Madison, Wis.
Andrea Coles-Bjerre
University of Oregon School of Law; Eugene
Hon. Brian Lynch
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Wash.); Tacoma
11:00-11:15 a.m.
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP
11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Survey of the Supreme Court’s Recent and Lasting Decisions
This panel will discuss recent Supreme Court bankruptcy decisions, the lasting impact of others that continue to affect the restructuring practice, and predictions about future issues that the Court will or should consider.
Jeff Pomerantz, Moderator
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; Los Angeles
ABI Past President
G. Eric Brunstad, Jr.
Dechert, LLP; Hartford, Conn.
Whitman Holt
Klee Tuchin; Los Angeles
Hon. Laura Taylor
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Calif.); San Diego
Case Administration in the 21st Century — How to Use Tech to Run Cases More Efficiently
This panel will discuss lessons learned from leveraging technology in administering mega-, mid-size and small chapter 11 cases. The panelists will discuss and demonstrate the use of technology in administering chapter 11 cases, including submission of e-proofs of claim and e-ballots, electronic noticing and solicitation, case administration websites, and electronic claims reconciliation. The panel will also address how to improve the efficiency of using such technologies within the context of small or mid-size chapter 11 cases.
Steven D. Jerome, Moderator
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.; Phoenix
Evan J. Gershbein
Kurtzman Carson Consultants; Los Angeles
Jeff Allsteadt
Clerk of the Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Ill.); Chicago
Erin McKeighan
Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC; Chicago
Hon. Elaine Hammond
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Calif.); San Jose
Consumer Track
Avoiding Malpractice and Other Common Pitfalls in Consumer Cases
Panel will highlight practice risks that include debtor and creditor viewpoints. The topics will include: tracking and anticipating obvious and unknown deadlines, appreciating inherent conflicts that may pose ethical problems as well as critical path obstacles to hidden conflicts of interest, springing conflicts of interest, undisclosed client expectations creating dissatisfaction with the process and outcome, and underestimating expense and delay leading to crisis of payment and inability to effectuate strategy.
Ford Elsaesser, Moderator
Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson, Sandpoint, Idaho
James F. Kahn
Kahn & Ahart, PLLC; Phoenix
Stephen Berken
Stephen Berken Law; Denver
Hon. Deborah Saltzman
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Calif.); Los Angeles
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Networking Luncheon
Sponsored by Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Short Arguments on Interesting Chapter 11 Topics
This panel will consist of four short "moot court/pro-con" presentations on current chapter 11 issues, with the Judge to be a “hot bench” and also give his insights at the conclusion of each segment.
Jason Brookner, Moderator
Gray Reed & McGraw, PC; Dallas
Steve Berger
Engelman Berger, P.C.; Phoenix
Ted Dillman
Latham & Watkins, LLP; Los Angeles
Tamara McGrath
FTI Consulting, Inc.; Los Angeles
Hon. Martin R. Barash
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Calif.); Woodland Hills
Avoiding Malpractice and Other Common Pitfalls in a Commercial Restructuring Case
Learn from others’ mistakes and experiences. The panel will share tips and painful lessons on anticipating and avoiding ethical and legal problems in business restructuring cases.
Robert M. Charles, Jr., Moderator
Lewis Roca; Las Vegas
Sam Newman
Gibson Dunn; Los Angeles
Brad Sharp
Development Specialists, Inc.; Los Angeles
Hon. Dan Collins
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix
Consumer Track
Intersection Between Bankruptcy and Family Law
Panel will provide an overview of the intersection between bankruptcy and family law. The discussion will include the effects on property of the estate when one spouse does not file, community and separate property issues, scope of automatic stay, collection against non-debtor spouse, and other related family law issues as they intersect with bankruptcy.
Leslie Cohen, Moderator
Leslie Cohen Law PC; Los Angeles
Christopher Celentino
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, San Diego
David Gottlieb
David Gottlieb & Associates; Los Angeles
Hon. Eddward P. Ballinger, Jr.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. AZ); Phoenix
2:45-3:15 p.m.
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by Proskauer
3:15-4:30 p.m.
Plenary Session
Sub-Par Performers: Restructuring Challenges in the Golf Course Industry
The once booming golf course industry has resorted to bankruptcy as a way to address operational and liquidity issues. This panel explores the financial challenges facing America’s golf courses and selected restructuring issues that debtors and creditors face in their attempts to reorganize.
James Patrick Shea, Moderator
Armstrong Teasdale; Las Vegas
Jeffrey Reisner
Irell & Manella; Newport Beach, Calif.
Dan Williams
Fenix Financial Forensics, LLC; Phoenix
Holly Estes
Estes Law; Reno, Nev.
Hon. Bruce Beesley
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Reno
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Happy Hour
Saturday, September 9
8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
ABI Registration Desk Open
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
Sponsored by Spencer Fane LLP
9:00-10:15 a.m.
Hotcakes and Hot Topics: Judges’ Roundtable Q&A
This panel will feature a roundtable discussion with bankruptcy judges from the Ninth Circuit and across the country. The judges will share their thoughts and perspectives, as well as take questions from the audience, on topics of current interest in both business and consumer cases.
Randy Nussbaum, Moderator
Nussbaum Gillis & Dinner PC; Scottsdale, Ariz.
10:15-10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:30-11:45 a.m
Plenary Session
Ethics Panel
Recent court decisions on legal ethics of which you should be aware. Come join an interactive discussion on the latest examples of unethical behavior — you may be surprised by what you hear.
Steve Berman, Moderator
Shumaker; Tampa, Fla
Robbin L. Itkin
Liner LLP; Los Angeles
Edward T. Gavin
Gavin/Solmonese, LLC; Wilmington, Del.
Hon. Scott Clarkson
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Calif.); Santa Ana
Conference Information
Hotel
The Hotel del Coronado is an iconic destination at the Pacific’s edge just minutes from downtown San Diego. Built in 1888 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, the Del has been the proud host to celebrities, royalty and beach-loving guests for generations. Experience the timeless charm and casual elegance of this classic Southern California resort. ABI has arranged a special conference rate of $294 per night. To secure the special rate, reservations must be made directly with the resort by August 5, 2017. Reservations may only be made once you have registered with ABI. Upon payment of the conference registration fees, you will receive hotel reservation information with your conference confirmation. Rooms are held on a first-come, first-served basis. ABI cannot guarantee anyone a room after the specially rated ABI block is filled.
Travel
Fly into San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Conference Attire
Attire is casual throughout the conference.
Cancellation Policy
All fees, except a $75 handling fee, will be refunded if notice is received in writing by August 17, 2017. No refunds will be made if notice is received after August 17, although substitutions will be allowed. After August 17, upon written request, a coupon for 20% off the registration fee (not including optional events) will be issued, which can be used (by the cancelling registrant only) for any ABI educational program up to one year after this conference, or for the same conference next year.
Continuing Education
9 hours of CLE credit, including 2.5 hours of ethics, are pending in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour, and approval for 10.5 hours of CLE credit, including 3 hours 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 10.5 hours, of which 3 hours of credit can be applied toward the ethics professionalism requirement. California MCLE: ABI certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit in the amount of 9 hours, of which 2.5 hours will apply to ethics. 10.5 hours of CPE credit, including 3 hours 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 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 complaints and refunds, 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, we may allow the individual to work at our 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. 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 information on tuition assistance, send an email to [email protected].
Attorney Specialist Certification
The American Board of Certification (ABC) will offer its Business Bankruptcy, Consumer Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights exams at the Hotel del Coronado on Thursday, September 7, 2017, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Details on the certification process, exam composition and a sample exam can be obtained by calling ABC at (319) 365-2222, by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the ABC website at www.abcworld.org. The ABC certification programs are sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Commercial Law League of America, and all three programs are accredited by the American Bar Association.
Optional Events
Golf Tournament at Coronado Golf Course
Thursday, September 7, 9:00 a.m.
Rated as one of the best public golf courses in the nation, this par 72 course is a must-play for all golfers and is conveniently located less than a mile from the Hotel del Coronado. The $125 tournament fee includes all greens fees and a continental breakfast. Please mark the appropriate box on the registration form, and indicate your handicap.
Midway Aircraft Carrier Tour
Thursday, September 7, 10:00 a.m.
Imagine experiencing life at sea on board one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers. Enjoy a docent-led walking tour, following in the footsteps of 225,000 Midway sailors who served our country. The tour lasts one hour but you can stay and enjoy the ship and the museum as long as you wish. Tickets for this event are $30 per person. Please mark the appropriate box on the registration form.
Judicial Chair
Hon. Martin R. Barash
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Woodland Hills
Hon. Daniel P. Collins
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix
Program Co-Chairs
John W. Lucas
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; San Francisco
Randy Nussbaum
Nussbaum Gillis & Dinner, P.C.; Scottsdale, Ariz.
Sponsorship Chair
Bradley D. Sharp
Development Specialists, Inc.; Los Angeles
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Advisory Board |
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Mark Andrews Dykema Cox SmithDallas, TX Thomas H. Allen Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC; Phoenix Steven M. Berman Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Tampa, Fla. Hon. Bruce T. Beesley U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Reno Jason S. Brookner Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C.; Dallas Louis M. Bubala, III Kaempfer Crowell; Reno, Nev. Alissa Brice Castaneda Quarles & Brady, Phoenix, AZ Rob Charles Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP; Tucson, Ariz. Dawn M. Cica Mushkin - Cica - Coppedge; Las Vegas David D. Cleary Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Phoenix Patrick A. Clisham Engelman Berger, PC; Phoenix Ford Elsaesser Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Elliott & Macdonald, Chtd.; Sandpoint, Idaho Scott D. Fleming Armstrong Teasdale LLP; Las Vegas Gregory E. Garman Garman Turner Gordon LLP; Las Vegas David M. Guess Klee Tuchin Bogdanoff & Stern Peter J. Gurfein Landau Gottfried & Berger LLP; Los Angeles Oren Buchanan Haker Stoel Rives LLPPortland, OR Hon. Elaine Hammond U.S. Bankruptcy Court,Northern District of California Douglas E. Himmel Melville Capital; Venice, Calif. Andrew Hinkelman FTI Consulting, Inc., San Francisco, CA Nicole Horton EY; Los Angeles Paul S. Jasper Rimon Law, San Francisco Steven D. Jerome Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.; Phoenix |
Cody Jess Schian Walker,Phoenix, AZ Lance N. Jurich Loeb & Loeb LLP; Los Angeles Jordan A. Kroop Perkins Coie LLP; Phoenix Heather A. LaSalle McGlinchey Stafford PLLC; New Orleans Nile Leatham Kolesar & Leatham; Las Vegas Jeff Nerland SierraConstellation Partners LLC; Los Angeles Mark A. Platt McGuireWoods LLP; Dallas Justin E. Rawlins Winston & Strawn LLP; Los Angeles Cathy L. Reece Fennemore Craig, P.C.; Las Vegas Jeffrey M. Reisner Irell & Manella LLP; Los Angeles Justin Sabin Bryan Cave,Phoenix, AZ Robert K. Sahyan Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP; San Francisco Thomas J. Salerno Stinson Leonard StreetPhoenix, AZ Samuel A. Schwartz Schwartz Flansburg PLLC; Las Vegas Victor A. Vilaplana Foley & Lardner, LLPSan Diego, CA Nellwyn Voorhies-Kantak Donlin RecanoSan Diego, CA Christopher J. Wells Alvarez & Marsal; Phoenix Daniel R. Williams Fenix Financial Services, LLC; Scottsdale, Ariz. John T. Young, Jr. Conway MacKenzie, Inc.; Houston Hon. Gregg W. Zive U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Reno
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Platinum |
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Bentham IMF Conway MacKenzie, Inc. Deloitte CRG Development Specialists, Inc. FTI Consulting, Inc. Grant Thornton LLP Greenberg Traurig, LLP KCC |
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Gold |
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Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC Cohn Reznick LLP CR3 Partners Perkins Coie LLP Wilmington Trust |
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Silver |
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Alvarez and Marsal-NACR Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Elliott & Macdonald, Chtd. Engelman Berger, PC Gavin/Solmonese LLC Imperial Capital, LLC Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP Polsinelli Proskauer Sacks Tierney P. A. Spencer Fane LLP |
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Bronze |
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Berkeley Research Group, LLC (BRG) Fennemore Craig, P.C. GCG Kaempfer Crowell Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP Latham & Watkins LLP McGlinchey Stafford PLLC Navigant Capital Advisors Sherwood Partners, Inc. Sullivan Hill Lewin Rez & Engel |
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Special Thanks
We extend our special thanks to Conway MacKenzie for the conference lanyards, Deloitte CRG for the conference wi-fi, Donlin, Recano & Company, Inc for the mobile app, Gavin/Solmonese LLC for daily e-newsletter, Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP for the cell phone charging station, Sherwood Partners, Inc./agencyIP for sponsoring the exhibit hall, Stoel Rives LLP for the conference materials on USB drives and Wilmington Trust for the tote bags.
Registration Rates
| Registration Rates | Early Bird (postmarked by 6/23/17) |
Regular (6/24/17-8/17/17) |
Late (after 8/17/17) |
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ABI Member
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$625
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$675
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$725
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ABI Govt./Nonprofit ABI Member
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$345
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$395
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$445
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New ABI Member*
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$895
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$945
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$995
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Govt./Nonprofit New ABI Member*
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$440
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$490
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$540
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ON-SITE FEE
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ABI Member
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$795
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New ABI Member
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$1,090
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* Includes a one-year ABI membership for first-time members — a $325 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.
Optional Events
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Opening Reception
Opening Reception Guest
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Free
$75
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Golf Tournament at Coronado Golf Course
Handicap ________
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$125
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Midway Tour
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$30
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Happy Hour
Happy Hour Guest
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Free
$50
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