Thursday, October 11
11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Registration
11:45 a.m.-12:00 noon
Welcome
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Frank W. Koger Memorial Luncheon and Lecture
Business Dynamics and Economic Growth
This panel will explore the myths and data behind the reasons why companies fail or succeed. The panelists will also discuss business creation and closure trends in the U.S., as well as the entrepreneurial ecosystem in terms of supporting firm growth and "recycling" firm failures, using examples from Silicon Valley, Kansas City, Boulder, Colo., and around the world.
Dane Stangler
Startup Genome; Kansas City, Mo.
1:00-1:10 p.m.
Refreshment Break
1:10-3:10 p.m.
Plenary Session
Ethics
When we look at sanctions opinions, we often don’t recognize the underlying social science causes of certain decisions — even the decisions of smart, well-educated people. This session will provide a primer on why smart people often make bad choices and will discuss certain sanctions opinions to put that social science view into context.
Adam Miller
Office of the U.S. Trustee; Kansas City, Mo.
Nancy Rapoport
William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Las Vegas
3:10-3:25 p.m.
Refreshment Break
3:25-4:25 p.m.
Concurrent Breakouts (2)
Consumer Track: Reverse Mortgages: HECM or HICUP?
A reverse mortgage can begin as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage but for some it becomes a nightmare by Home Invalidation Causing Undeniable Pain. Learn what a Reverse Mortgage is, how one qualifies for the loan, and the traps that may lie ahead if your client files bankruptcy.
Rachel Foley, Moderator
Foley Law, P.C.; Independence, Mo.
James M. Bicknell
Community First National Bank; Overland Park, Kan.
Toby English
Community First National Bank; Overland Park, Kan.
Ronald Farmer
Ches, Inc.; Kansas City, Mo.
Business Track: Restaurants and Retail and Real Estate — Oh My!
The panelists will discuss the current state of affairs of the retail and restaurant industries as they continue to contract, and what that means for real estate values. Topics will include whether you must file bankruptcy to restructure multiple leases, franchisee issues with franchisors in closing locations, the alternate use of vacated real estate locations, and much more.
Navin Nagrani, Moderator
Hilco Global; Northbrook, Ill.
David Pollack
Ballard Spahr LLP; Philadelphia
Hon. Kathy A. Surratt-States
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis
Mark Welch
MorrisAnderson; Pittsburgh
4:25-5:25 p.m.
Concurrent Breakouts (2)
Consumer Track: Threats to and Opportunities for Consumer Practice
This session features a discussion of changes to bankruptcy law that are affecting and will continue to affect the day-to-day practice of consumer bankruptcy attorneys — and how you can ensure that your business survives in this challenging landscape.
Michelle Masoner, Moderator
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Jill Olsen
The Olsen Law Firm, LLC; Liberty, Mo.
Brian Shaw
Fox Rothschild LLP; Chicago
Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff (ret.)
Oak Park, Ill.
Business Track: Anatomy of a Farm Insolvency
This session will examine the ins and outs of a farming insolvency by discussing the current farm economy and the items and practices that are unique to this specific industry, as well as chapter 12 and potential pitfalls for the unwary.
Brent King
GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group; Lenexa, Kan.
Hon. Dale Somers
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Topeka, Kan.
Donald L. Swanson
Koley Jessen; Omaha, Neb.
Laura Hughes
Rabo Ag Finance; St. Louis
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Opening Networking Reception
Friday, October 12
7:30-8:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by MorrisAnderson
8:00-8:15 a.m.
Welcome and Second-Day Announcements
8:15-9:30 a.m.
Plenary Session
Bankruptcy Law Is Confusing, Even for Nerds: A Caselaw Update
Bill Rochelle, ABI's editor-at-large, analyzes the most important decisions in the last year affecting both consumer and reorganization law. He’ll cover issues where the courts are split and questions that the U.S. Supreme Court should be answering in the next few years.
William J. Rochelle
American Bankruptcy Institute; New York
9:30-9:45 a.m.
Refreshment Break
9:45-11:00 a.m.
Plenary Session
“ABI Talks”
The speakers will each present short “TED Talk”-styled topics on a variety of timely and emerging issues germane to bankruptcy practitioners, including Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, immigration, student loans, mediation, seat licenses and litigation funding.
N. Larry Bork
Goodell Stratton Edmonds & Palmer LLP; Topeka, Kan.
Hon. Brian T. Fenimore
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.
Trey Monsour
Polsinelli; Houston
Mira Mdivani
Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm; Overland Park, Kan.
Braden Perry
Kennyhertz Perry LLC; Kansas City, Mo.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Concurrent Breakouts (2)
Consumer Track: Trustees Administering Unusual Assets
This program will focus its discussion on the administration by trustees of unusual assets, including tort and class action claims, intellectual property, alcohol, firearms and drugs. The panelists will also delve into the process of abandonment of assets by trustees.
Hon. Cynthia A. Norton
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.
Deborah L. Petersen
Petersen Law PLLC; Council Bluffs, Iowa
Bruce E. Strauss
Merrick, Baker & Strauss, PC; Kansas City, Mo.
Nicholas J. Zluticky
Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Business Track: Show Me the Money: Procedural and Practical Considerations Regarding the Use of Cash Collateral and DIP Financing
Cash collateral and DIP financing can be the lifeblood of a chapter 11 case. This presentation will be a primer on obtaining the use of cash collateral and debtor-in-possession financing in a chapter 11 case. The panelists will explore both the procedural requirements and practical aspects in obtaining this relief, including common missteps and the dynamics between the various constituencies and the bench.
Eric Johnson, Moderator
Spencer Fane LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Hon. Katherine A. Constantine
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Minn.); St. Paul, Minn.
Devon J. Eggert
Freeborn & Peters LLP; Chicago
12:00-1:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch
Michael R. Roser Excellence in Bankruptcy Award Ceremony
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Plenary Session
Impact of the Tax Reform Bill
The only constant in the tax world is change, and the New Tax Act brings many changes that will likely affect individuals and businesses through 2025. The panel members will discuss the major changes to the U.S. Tax Code that impact American taxpayers, and where those tax law changes may intersect with individuals and businesses considering bankruptcy protection.
Paul D. Sinclair, Moderator
Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gonard P.C.; Kansas City, Mo.
Hon. Robert D. Berger
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Kansas City, Kan.
Susan A. Berson
Berson Law Group LLP; Overland Park, Kan.
Julie A. Welch
Meara Welch Browne, P.C.; Leawood, Kan.
2:15-2:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Plenary Session
Bankruptcy Law Round-Up
This session will feature a “speed-dating-style” roundtable discussion of current bankruptcy and practical skills issues with regional judges, trustees and other presenters. Attendees will change tables every 15-20 minutes, selecting from a variety of topics/cases/issues.
Hon. Robert D. Berger
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Kansas City, Kan.
Prof. Andrea Boyack
Washburn University; Topeka, Kan.
Hon. Katherine A. Constantine
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Minn.); St. Paul, Minn.
Crystanna Cox
First American Title Insurance Company; Overland Park, Kan.
Diana Spuhl Daugherty
Office of Standing Chapter 13 Trustee EDMo; St. Louis
Hon. Dennis R. Dow
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.
Hon. Brian T. Fenimore
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.
Richard V. Fink
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee; Kansas City, Mo.
Hon. Teresa J. James, Magistrate Judge
U.S. District Court (D. Kan.); Kansas City
Kathleen A. Laughlin
Chapter 13 Trustee District of Nebraska; Omaha, Neb.
Hon. Cynthia A. Norton
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.
Paul A. Randolph
Office of the U.S. Trustee; St. Louis
Hon. Charles E. Rendlen
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis
Mindy Smith
United States Bankruptcy Court (W.D.Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.
James Snyder
Office of the U.S. Trustee; Des Moines, Iowa
Hon. Dale Somers
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Topeka, Kan.
Hon. Kathy A. Surratt-States
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis
Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff (ret.)
Oak Park, Ill.
4:00 p.m.
Adjourn
Chairs
Hon. Dennis R. Dow, Judicial Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.
John J. Cruciani, Co-Chair
Husch Blackwell LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Jill D. Olsen, Co-Chair
The Olsen Law Firm, LLC; Liberty, Mo.
Advisory Board
Mark T. Benedict
Husch Blackwell LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Mark V. Bossi
Thompson Coburn LLP; St. Louis
Andrea Chase
Spencer Fane LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
John T. Coghlan
Kutak Rock LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Daniel F. Dooley
MorrisAnderson; Chicago
Hon. Brian T. Fenimore
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City, Mo.
Rachel L. Foley
Foley Law, P.C.; Independence, Mo.
W. Thomas Gilman
Hinkle Law Firm LLC; Wichita, Kan.
David L. Going
Armstrong Teasdale LLP; St. Louis
Jeana L. Goosmann
Goosmann Law Firm; Sioux City, Iowa
Brian M. Holland
Lathrop Gage LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Laura Uberti Hughes
Rabo AgriFinance; St. Louis
Eric L. Johnson
Spencer Fane LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Michelle M. Masoner
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Mark Moedritzer
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.; Kansas City, Mo.
Andrew W. Muller
Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Kansas City, Mo.
Andrew J. Nazar
Polsinelli PC; Kansas City, Mo.
Hon. Cynthia A. Norton
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City
Gary A. Norton
Farm Credit Services of America; Omaha, Neb.
Paul D. Sinclair
Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gonard P.C.; Kansas City, Mo.
Wesley F. Smith
Stevens & Brand LLP; Lawrence, Kan.
Bruce E. Strauss
Merrick, Baker & Strauss, PC; Kansas City, Mo.
Sherri L. Wattenbarger
Office of the U.S. Trustee; Kansas City, Mo.
Victor F. Weber
Merrick, Baker & Strauss, P.C.; Kansas City, Mo.
Ronald S. Weiss
Berman DeLeve Kuchan & Chapman, LLC; Kansas City, Mo.
Abigail B. Willie
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis
T. Randall Wright
Baird Holm LLP; Omaha, Neb.
Conference Information
Location/Hotel Accommodations
The Institute will be held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, located at 200 West 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. ABI has arranged a special conference rate of $189 per night. Make your reservations by September 19, 2018, to secure this special rate. ABI cannot guarantee anyone a room after the September 19 cut-off date or after the specially rated ABI block has been filled. You will receive a special room reservation link after you have registered with ABI. The hotel will sell out. Please make your reservations accordingly.
Ground/Air Transportation
Air: The Kansas City Marriott Downtown is approximately 20 miles from Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
Ground: Courtesy phones for taxi service are located both inside and outside the terminal at each bag claim area and at other strategic locations outside the terminal exits. Make sure that you give the dispatcher your exact location. If calling from a personal phone, call (816) 243-2345.
Local Information
For information about Kansas City restaurants, shopping, attractions, etc., go to the Visit Kansas City website at www.visitkc.com.
Continuing Education
This program is approved for 12.4 hours of CLE credit in Missouri, including 3.6 hours of ethics and professionalism. Kansas credit is pending. 12 hours of general CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are pending in 50-minute-hour states, and 10 hours of general CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are pending in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour. 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 10 hours, of which 1 hour will apply to ethics. NY MCLE: This transitional and non-transitional program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the CLE Board for a maximum of 12 credit hours, of which 1 hour of credit can be applied toward the ethics professionalism requirement. 12 hours of CPE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are also available.
*ABI offers intermediate-level courses, which assume that attendees will have at least some detailed knowledge of 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. 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. 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 September 20, 2018. No refunds will be granted after September 20, but substitutions will be allowed. After September 20, 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.
Premium Sponsors
MorrisAnderson
Polsinelli PC
Stinson Leonard Street LLP
Wilmington Trust
Patron Sponsors
Gavin/Solmonese LLC
Husch Blackwell LLP
Lathrop Gage LLP
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Spencer Fane LLP
Supporting Sponsors
BMC Group
GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC
Conference Rates
Registration Rates | Early (postmarked by 8/24/18) |
Regular (8/25/18- 9/21/18) |
Late (after 9/21/18) |
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Business Track: ABI Member
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$335
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$410
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$455
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Business Track: Join and Save*
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$630
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$705
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$750
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Consumer Track: ABI Member
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$265
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$290
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$325
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Consumer Track: Join and Save*
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$560
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$585
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$620
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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.
Exhibitor Rates
ABI Member Exhibitor Registration**
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$1,000
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New ABI Member Exhibitor Registration***
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$1,295
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Additional Booth Representative
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$500
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** 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 (a $325 value).