Thursday, September 6
8:00 a.m.
Optional Event
Golf Tournament at Royal Links Golf Club
3:00-6:00 p.m.
ABI Registration Desk Open
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Opening Reception
Sponsored by Development Specialists, Inc. and KCC
Bars Sponsored by Bentham IMF; Omni Management Group and Schian Walker, PLC
Friday, September 7
7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
ABI Registration Desk Open
7:30-8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
7:45-8:00 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Very Good Debates
John W. Lucas, Moderator
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; San Francisco
Judicial Debate
Resolved: Hiring an independent CRO displaces the need for the appointment of a chapter 11 trustee under § 1104(e) of the Bankruptcy Code.
Pro: Hon. Scott C. Clarkson
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Santa Ana
Con: Hon. Mary Jo Heston
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Wash.); Tacoma
Business Debate
Resolved: Holders of acquired claims should be required to disclose the basis in such a claim as a condition for seeking relief in a bankruptcy case.
Pro: Gregory E. Garman
Garman Turner Gordon; Las Vegas
Con: Thomas J. Salerno
Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Phoenix
Consumer Debate
Resolved: The exemption law of the state to which a debtor has recently moved should be used in the debtor’s bankruptcy case, with the former state law used as a cap on homestead exemptions.
Pro: Mark Gorton
Boutin Jones; Sacramento, Calif.
Con: Estela O. Pino
Pino & Associates; Sacramento, Calif.
9:30-9:45 a.m.
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP
9:45-11:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
What Are the Limits of Sale, Plan and Constitutional Mootness?
Three avenues for appellate courts to dismiss bankruptcy appeals are sale, plan and constitutional mootness. This panel will discuss the strengths and limitations of these three approaches, which appellate courts are increasingly gravitating toward and departing from, and steps and arguments parties can make to improve their chances of success in obtaining (or avoiding) dismissal of a bankruptcy appeal as moot.
Hon. Julia W. Brand
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Los Angeles
Cecily A. Dumas
Pillsbury; San Francisco
Susan M. Freeman
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP; Phoenix
Thomas E. Patterson
Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP; Los Angeles
Update Regarding Automatic Stay and Discharge Issues
This panel will discuss automatic stay and discharge injunction violations arising from withholding property to collect, statutes of limitations, and exceptions to discharge after Husky.
Robert M. Charles, Jr.
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP; Phoenix
Dawn S. Cica
Mushkin Cica Coppedge; Las Vegas
Peter J. Gurfein
Landau Gottfried & Berger LLP; Los Angeles
Hon. Brenda Kay Martin
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix
Be Careful What You Ask For: Risks and Benefits of Involuntary Bankruptcy Filings
This session will provide an overview of the requirements to file an involuntary bankruptcy case and the advantages and pitfalls that arise from these filings, including petitioner liabilities.
Hon. Martin R. Barash
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Woodland Hills
Janet L. Chubb
Kaempfer Crowell; Reno, Nev.
Oren Haker
Stoel Rives LLP; Portland, Ore.
Jordan A. Kroop
Perkins Coie LLP; Phoenix
11:00-11:15 a.m.
Coffee Break
Sponsored by DLA Piper
11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
How to Handle Challenging Clients and Conflict Issues in Individual Cases
This panel will discuss (a) interactions with clients who have mental health problems, lying clients and unreasonable clients; and (b) spousal conflicts, joint individual and business case conflicts, conflicts that arise when changing firms, and multiple-owner business case conflicts.
Cynthia M. Cohen
Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro LLP; Los Angele
Randy Nussbaum
Sacks Tierney P.A.; Scottsdale, Ariz.
Allison M. Rhodes
Holland & Knight LLP; Los Angeles
Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff (ret.)
Oak Park, III.
Winding Down Companies When Bankruptcy Is Not an Option
This panel will discuss alternatives to formal bankruptcy, including assignments for the benefit of creditors, abstention of a bankruptcy case under § 305, receiverships, state law dissolution and out-of-court workouts.
Sara L. Chenetz
Perkins Coie LLP; Los Angeles
David M. Johnson
Sherwood Partners, Inc.; Mountain View, Calif.
K. Kevin Otus
Onyx Asset Advisors; San Francisco
Matthew P. Sorenson
Development Specialists, Inc.; Los Angeles
Ins and Outs of Dealing with Tax Claims
This panel will cover issues relating to the discharge of tax claims, objecting to tax claims and the utility of § 505, the consequences of not having tax returns on file as of the petition date, and other tax-related issues that impact debtors.
Thomas H. Allen
Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC; Phoenix
Richard D. Liebman
Grant Thornton LLP; Chicago
Hon. Mark S. Wallace
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Santa Ana
Kenneth C. Weil
Law Office of Kenneth C. Weil; Seattle
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Networking Luncheon
Lively Luncheon: The $1,000,000 Pyramid Goes Chapter 11
Sponsored by Omni Management Group
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Post-Confirmation Liquidating and Litigation Trusts
This panel will discuss the process of developing and implementing post-confirmation trusts, including the transfer of litigation claims to a trust, claimant direct claims vs. company claims, trustee with discretion vs. board with veto power, voting by beneficiaries, reporting, distribution issues, funding, post-confirmation jurisdiction and involvement of the bankruptcy court, trustee liability, quasi-judicial immunity and indemnification, and interim and final distributions and tax considerations.
P. Gregg Curry
Navigant Consulting, Inc.; Phoenix
Ken Epstein
Bentham IMF; New York
Hon. Charles D. Novack
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Cal.); Pasadena
Cathy L. Reece
Fennemore Craig, P.C.; Phoenix
The Role of Governmental Agencies in Chapter 11 Cases
This panel will discuss the role that federal agencies play in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.
David Nelson
Boies Schiller Flexner LLP; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Samuel A. Newman
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Los Angeles
Michael A. Strollo
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.; Washington, D.C.
Hon. Madeleine C. Wanslee
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix
Cutting-Edge Issues in Avoidance Actions
This panel will cover the effects of the recent Supreme Court decision under § 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code, valuation of avoidance actions, pre-bankruptcy planning, creditor intervention, and conflicts preventing individual debtors from pursuing claims.
Andrew W. Caine
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; Los Angeles
Craig S. Ganz
Ballard Spahr LLP; Phoenix
Edward T. Gavin
Gavin/Solmonese LLP, Wilmington, Del.
Hon. M. Elaine Hammond
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Cal.); San Jose
2:45-3:15 p.m.
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by Proskauer
3:15-4:30 p.m.
The ABCs of Electronic Currencies
Blockchain technology has the tech and business sectors abuzz. Legislators, regulators and the judiciary struggle to keep up with the breakneck pace of development. Much of the initial focus has been on Bitcoin, the virtual currency that was the first major blockchain-based application, but interest and activity by both industry and policymakers is quickly shifting toward broader uses of blockchains. A blockchain, also sometimes called a distributed ledger, is essentially an online database that, instead of being controlled by a central authority, is created, managed and used in a decentralized way by its users on a peer-to-peer network. The shared, transparent and unalterable nature of a blockchain creates the perfect environment for the transfer of assets (physical, informational or financial). A blockchain network eliminates the need for a central record system or intermediary to establish ownership and trust, allowing individuals with no previous relationship to exchange such assets in a secure manner. This technology is still in its infancy, but it is fast giving rise to “initial coin offerings” as a new form of raising capital, massive (and wildly speculative) investment in various virtual currencies, and other transformative technologies. Although blockchains’ possibilities are exciting, the uncertainty and instability surrounding many blockchain applications, certainly including cryptocurrencies, is likely to result in significant distressed scenarios requiring specialized knowledge of both this extraordinary technology and insolvency law.
Hon. Daniel P. Collins
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix
Bryce A. Suzuki
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP; Phoenix
Christopher J. Wells
Alvarez & Marsal; Phoenix
Steven J. Yeager
State of Nevada Assembly; Las Vegas
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Happy Hour
Sponsored by Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC and Sacks Tierney, P.A.
7:30 p.m.
Optional Event
Jerry Seinfeld at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Saturday, September 8
8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
ABI Registration Desk Open
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
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, who will share their thoughts and perspectives — and take questions from the audience — on topics of current interest in both business and consumer cases.
Patrick A. Clisham, Moderator
Engelman Berger, PC; Phoenix
10:15-10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:30-11:45 a.m
Plenary Session
Ethics Roundtable
This panel will discuss various ethical issues in consumer- and business-related bankruptcy cases and other restructurings.
Heather A. LaSalle
McGlinchey Stafford PLLC; New Orleans
Douglas L. Lutz
Frost Brown Todd, LLC; Cincinnati
Hon. Paul Sala
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix
Lei Lei Wang Ekvall
Smiley | Wang-Ekvall; Costa Mesa, Calif.
11:45 a.m
Adjourn
Conference Information
Hotel
The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is a sanctuary from the bright lights of the dazzling Las Vegas Strip, all located on the 35th to 39th floors of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Tower ensuring a more intimate atmosphere and attentive personal service. ABI has arranged a special conference rate of $235 per night. To secure the special rate, reservations must be made directly with the resort by August 13, 2018. 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 McCarran International Airport (LAS).
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 16, 2018. No refunds will be made if notice is received after August 16, although substitutions will be allowed. After August 16, 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 10.5 hours of CLE credit, including 3 hours of ethics, are pending in 50-minute-hour states. Credit hours granted are subject to each state’s CLE credit-approval regulations and might not be approved prior to the program. 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 credit 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 submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website, www.nasbaregistry.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 Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas on Thursday, September 6, 2018, 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 Royal Links Golf Club
Thursday, September 6, 8:00 a.m.
Missed your invitation to play in the British Open? Don’t worry; you can still play 18 of the best holes from 11 different British Open rotation courses. Conveniently located less than nine miles from the heart of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, Royal Links is not your typical golf course. Whether you are interested in the history of the game or just want a shot at besting Tiger Woods’ course record of 67 (Feb. 2001), Royal Links is sure to provide you with some great golfing memories. The $190 green fee includes transportation from the Four Seasons, all tournament fees and lunch at the tournament’s conclusion. Please check the appropriate box on the online registration form to play, and indicate your handicap.
Jerry Seinfeld at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Friday, September 7, 7:30 p.m.
Jerry Seinfeld has been doing stand-up since “stand up” was something you did when a lady entered the room. You can see America’s favorite comedian perform his legendary comedy routine live at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas! Tickets for seats are $150 per person. Please mark the appropriate box on the online 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
Sacks Tierney P.A.; Scottsdale, Ariz.
Sponsorship Chair
Patrick A. Clisham
Engelman Berger, PC; Phoenix
Advisory Board |
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Thomas H. Allen Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC; Phoenix Steven M. Berman Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Tampa, Fla. Jason S. Brookner Gray Reed & McGraw LLP; Dallas Louis M. Bubala, III Kaempfer Crowell; Reno, Nev. Alissa Brice Castañeda Quarles & Brady LLP; Phoenix Robert M. Charles, Jr. Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP; Tucson, Ariz. Dawn M. Cica Mushkin Cica Coppedge; Las Vegas David D. Cleary Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Phoenix Ford Elsaesser Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Elliott & Macdonald, Chtd.; Sandpoint, Idaho Scott D. Fleming Kolesar & Leatham; Las Vegas Craig S. Ganz Ballard Spahr LLP; Phoenix Gregory E. Garman Garman Turner Gordon; Las Vegas David M. Guess Bienert, Miller & Katzman, PLC; San Clemente, CA Peter J. Gurfein Landau Gottfried & Berger LLP; Los Angeles Oren Haker Stoel Rives LLP; Portland, Ore. Andrew Hinkelman FTI Consulting, Inc.; San Francisco Nicole Horton EY; Los Angeles Paul S. Jasper Rimon, P.C.; San Francisco |
Steven D. Jerome Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.; Phoenix Cody J. Jess Schian Walker PLC; Phoenix Lance N. Jurich Loeb & Loeb LLP; Los Angeles Jordan A. Kroop Perkins Coie LLP; Phoenix Robert J. Labate Holland & Knight LLP; San Francisco Heather A. LaSalle McGlinchey Stafford PLLC; New Orleans 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 A. Sabin Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP; Phoenix Robert K. Sahyan Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP; San Francisco Thomas J. Salerno Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Phoenix Samuel A. Schwartz Schwartz Flansburg; Las Vegas Nellwyn Voorhies-Kantak Donlin, Recano & Company, Inc.; New York Christopher J. Wells Alvarez & Marsal; Phoenix Daniel R. Williams Fenix Financial Forensics LLC; Scottsdale, Ariz. John T. Young, Jr. Conway MacKenzie, Inc.; Houston |
Gold
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
CR3 Partners, LLC
Development Specialist, Inc.
Donlin, Recano & Company, Inc.
FTI Consulting, Inc.
KCC
Omni Management Group
Perkins Coie LLP
Silver
Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC
Alvarez & Marsal
Bentham IMF
Conway MacKenzie, Inc.
DLA Piper
Engelman Berger, PC
Gavin/Solmonese LLC
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP
Proskauer
Sacks Tierney P.A.
Schian Walker PLC
Snell & Wilmer, L.L.P.
Stinson Leonard Street LLP
Wilmington Trust
Bronze
Ballard Spahr LLP
Bienert, Miller & Katzman, PLC; San Clemente, Calif.
Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Elliott & Macdonald, Chtd.
Fenix Financial Advisors LLC
Fennemore Craig, P.C.
Gray Reed & McGraw LLP
Holland & Knight LLP
Kaempfer Crowell
Kolesar & Leatham
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP
Loeb & Loeb LLP
McGlinchey Stafford PLLC
Mesch Clark & Rothschild PC
Mushkin Cica Coppedge
Onyx Asset Advisors, LLC
Quarles & Brady LLP
Schwartz Flansburg
Sherwood Partners, Inc.
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
Winston & Strawn LLP
Registration Rates
Registration Rates | Early Bird (postmarked by 6/22/18) |
Regular (6/23/18-8/17/18) |
Late (after 8/17/18) |
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ABI Member
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$645
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$695
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$745
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ABI Govt./Nonprofit Member
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$345
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$395
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$445
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Join and Save*
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$940
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$990
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$1040
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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 REGISTRATION FEE
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ABI Member
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$800
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Join and Save*
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$1,095
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* Includes a one-year membership for first-time members only — a $325 value! You must be an ABI member to attend. Membership is individual and nonrefundable. If your ABI membership has expired, select the member rate and add in your ABI membership renewal fee.
Optional Events
Opening Reception
Opening Reception Guest
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Free
$75
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Golf Tournament at Royal Links
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$200
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Happy Hour
Happy Hour Guest
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Free
$50
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Jerry Seinfeld
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$150
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