3:00-7:00 p.m. ABI Registration Desk Open 5:00-6:00 p.m. 40 Under 40 Reception 6:00-7:30 p.m. Opening Reception Sponsored by Development Specialists, Inc. & KCC 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ABI Registration Desk Open 7:30-8:00 a.m. Networking Breakfast Sponsored by Kaempfer Crowell 8:00-8:15 a.m. Welcome Remarks 8:15-9:30 a.m. Judicial Roundtable The Judges Roundtable will provide opportunities for discussion and interaction with our exciting panel of judges from around the country. Judges will discuss the following three topics: (1) What happens when the various COVID moratoria on enforcement end; (2) who gets the benefit of post-petition appreciation of an asset when a case converts from chapter 13 to chapter 7; and (3) measuring the success of the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019. Lindsi M. Weber, Moderator The Burgess Law Group; Phoenix Hon. Trish M. Brown U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Oreg.); Portland Hon. Scott C. Clarkson U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Santa Ana Hon. Daniel P. Collins U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix Hon. Natalie M. Cox U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Las Vegas Hon. Harlin DeWayne Hale U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Tex.); Dallas Hon. Mary Jo Heston U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Wash.); Tacoma Hon. Christopher M. Klein U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Cal.); Sacramento Hon. Paul Sala U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix Hon. David T. Thuma U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. N.M.); Albuquerque Virtual Attendee Host Hon. Martin R. Barash U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Woodland Hills 9:30-9:45 a.m. Coffee Break 9:45-11:00 a.m. Complex Confirmation Issues This panel will focus on impairment, TransWest issues, third-party releases, horizontal gifting related to Noverra and more. Jeffrey Bjork Latham & Watkins; Los Angeles Matt Foster Sonoran Capital Advisors; Mesa, Ariz. Jordan A. Kroop Perkins Coie LLP; Phoenix Hon. David T. Thuma U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. N.M.); Albuquerque Consumer: Consumer Cases in the Headlines This panel will cover recent legislation and judicial decisions that have affected the consumer bankruptcy practice over the last year. Panelists will discuss the recent Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit decisions on consumer cases. Louis M. Bubala III Kaempfer Crowell; Reno, Nev. Kathleen A. Cashman-Kramer Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel; San Diego Hon. Natalie M. Cox U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Las Vegas Philip J. Giles Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC; Phoenix Chapter 11 Cases in the Headlines This panel will discuss notable Chapter 11 cases and legislation from the past year for an overall refresher and update on chapter 11 basics and trends. Steven M. Berman Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Tampa, Fla. Craig S. Ganz Ballard Spahr LLP; Phoenix Hon. Harlin DeWayne Hale U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Tex.); Dallas Lydia R. Webb Gray Reed & McGraw LLP; Dallas 11:00-11:15 a.m. Coffee Break Sponsored by Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. COVID-19: Infecting Employment Issues in Bankruptcy This panel will discuss the WARN Act, KERPs and KEIPs, vacation/sick time and the § 507(a)(4) cap, varying state laws on severance claims that are driving the locations of filings, and more. Dawn M. Cica Carlyon Cica Chtd.; Las Vegas Hon. Daniel P. Collins U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix Ira L. Herman Blank Rome LLP; New York Brian L. Cumberland Alvarez & Marsal; Dallas Consumer: Intersection of Divorce and Bankruptcy This panel will be exploring the interplay between state court divorce law and bankruptcy. We will focus on many of the misconceptions which arise when those two unrelated areas of the law intersect or overlap. Hon. Trish M. Brown U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Oreg.); Portland Jody A. Corrales DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy, P.C.; Tucson, Ariz. Randy Nussbaum Sacks Tierney P.A.; Scottsdale, Ariz. Hon. Bridget E. Robb Nevada Second Judicial District Court; Reno Repurposing or Reimagining Distressed Real Estate This panel will discuss options and issues surrounding distressed shopping centers, retail spaces, apartments, office buildings and other distressed real estate assets, plus proactive planning for distressed real estate assets. Oren B. Haker Stoel Rives LLP; Portland, Ore. Cathy L. Reece Fennemore Craig, P.C.; Phoenix Hon. Paul Sala U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix Beth Jo Zeitzer R.O.I. Properties, LLC; Phoenix 12:30-1:00 p.m. Lively Luncheon Sponsored by Stoel Rives LLP 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ABI Talks Based on the "Ted Talks" format, the presenters will address such timely and divisive issues as rejection of power purchase agreements, the future of oil and gas, and venue alternatives, and will provide an analytical review of Bankruptcy Appellate Panel reversals and affirmances. Nellwyn Voorhies, Moderator Donlin, Recano & Company, Inc.; New York Jurisdictional Battle: Bankruptcy Courts vs. FERC in Rejection of Power Purchase Agreements Theodore E. Tsekerides Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; New York Ninth Circuit as an Alternative to SDNY/Delaware Tobias S. Keller Keller Benvenutti Kim LLP; San Francisco Current State and Near Future of Oil and Gas Jason S. Brookner Gray Reed & McGraw LLP; Dallas Analytical Review of Reversal/Affirmance Rates Between BAPs and District Courts in BAP Circuits Jacklyn Branby U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix 2:00-2:15 p.m. Break Sponsored by Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP 2:15-3:30 p.m. Consumer: Nondischargeability, Discharge Injunction Violations and BofA Sanctions This panel will cover the ins-and-outs of nondischargeability, discharge injunction violations and how to avoid them and the recent BofA sanctions. Scott B. Cohen Engelman Berger, PC; Phoenix Hon. Christopher M. Klein U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Cal.); Sacramento Bart K. Larsen Shea Larsen; Las Vegas David B. Shemano ShemanoLaw; Los Angeles First Look at Small Business Reorganization Act Cases This panel will review the implementation, practical effects, unintended consequences, and foreseen and unforeseen problems related to the Small Business Reorganization Act. Grant L. Cartwright May, Potenza, Baran & Gillespie, P.C.; Phoenix Hon. Scott C. Clarkson U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Santa Ana Caroline Djang Best Best & Krieger LLP; Irvine, Calif. Jeannie Kim Sheppard Mullin; San Francisco Eight COVID-19 Predictions for a Brave New Bankruptcy World: Hits, Misses and the Unforeseen This is a panel discussion involving experienced members of the bench and bar which explores eight predictions made in March of 2020 about the impact on the bankruptcy world of the then-new disease entering the world lexicon as COVID-19. Using both historical and current information, the panel will "score" the predictions, supporting their conclusions with legal, economic and social data relating to bankruptcy practice, procedure and the economy. From that, a discussion will be had adding to predictions for the future as bankruptcy professionals continue to navigate in choppy and murky waters. Sasha M. Gurvitz KTBS Law LLP; Los Angeles Hon. Mary Jo Heston U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Wash.); Tacoma Thomas J. Salerno Stinson LLP; Phoenix Howard J. Steinberg Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Los Angeles 3:30-4:00 p.m. Margarita Reception Sponsored by Proskauer & Sonoran Capital Advisors 8:00-10:30 a.m. ABI Registration Desk Open 8:30-9:00 a.m. Networking Breakfast Sponsored by FTI Consulting, Inc. 9:00-10:30 a.m. Welcome & Crossover Ethics Topic: Strategies and Risks of Bankruptcy as a Response to State Court Litigation This session addresses when a bankruptcy court will accept jurisdiction and control of pending state court litigation upon the filing of a bankruptcy case by an involved party. Topics include removal, abstention, stay relief and remand, as well as the strategies and risks of filing bankruptcy in hopes of having a state court action removed to bankruptcy court. Michael J. Gomez Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato, L.C.; Fresno Cody J. Jess Moyes Sellers & Hendricks Ltd.; Phoenix Hon. Mike K. Nakagawa U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Las Vegas Nathaniel J. Palmer Reid Collins & Tsai LLP; Dallas 10:30 a.m. AdjournWednesday, August 25
Thursday, August 26
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Friday, August 27
Judicial Co-Chairs
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
Patrick A. Clisham
Engelman Berger, PC; Phoenix
Jordan A. Kroop
Perkins Coie LLP; Phoenix
Sponsorship Chairs
Louis M. Bubala III
Kaempfer Crowell; Reno, Nev.
Nellwyn Voorhies
Donlin, Recano & Company, Inc.; New York
Advisory Board
Heather LaSalle Alexis
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP; New Orleans
Thomas H. Allen
Allen Barnes & Jones, PLC; Phoenix
Steven M. Berman
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Tampa, Fla.
Jeffrey Bjork
Latham & Watkins; Los Angeles
Jason S. Brookner
Gray Reed & McGraw LLP; Dallas
Grant L. Cartwright
May, Potenza, Baran & Gillespie, P.C.; Phoenix
Alissa Brice Castañeda
Quarles & Brady LLP; Phoenix
Robert M. Charles, Jr.
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP; Tucson, Ariz.
Dawn M. Cica
Carlyon Cica Chtd.; Las Vegas
J. Ford Elsaesser
Elsaesser Anderson, Chtd.; Sandpoint, Idaho
A. Kyle Everett
Development Specialists, Inc.; San Francisco
Matt Foster
Sonoran Capital Advisors; Mesa, Ariz.
Craig S. Ganz
Ballard Spahr LLP; Phoenix
Sasha M. Gurvitz
KTBS Law LLP; Los Angeles
Oren B. Haker
Stoel Rives LLP; Portland, Ore.
Andrew Hinkelman
FTI Consulting, Inc.; San Francisco
Steven D. Jerome
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.; Phoenix
Cody J. Jess
Moyes Sellers & Hendricks Ltd.; Phoenix
Robert Jordan
KCC; New York
Lance N. Jurich
Loeb & Loeb LLP; Los Angeles
Jeannie Kim
Sheppard Mullin; San Francisco
Robert J. Labate
Holland & Knight LLP; San Francisco
Bart K. Larsen
Shea Larsen; Las Vegas
John W. Lucas
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; San Francisco
Randy Nussbaum
Sacks Tierney P.A.; Scottsdale, Ariz.
Nathaniel J. Palmer
Reid Collins & Tsai LLP; Dallas
Justin E. Rawlins
Paul Hastings, LLP; Los Angeles
Cathy L. Reece
Fennemore Craig, P.C.; Las Vegas
Jeffrey M. Reisner
Steptoe & Johnson LLP; Los Angeles
Isaac D. Rothschild
Mesch Clark Rothschild; Tucson, Ariz.
Thomas J. Salerno
Stinson LLP; Phoenix
Samuel A. Schwartz
Schwartz Law; Las Vegas
Howard J. Steinberg
Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Los Angeles
Khaled Tarazi
Buchalter, APC; Scottsdale, Ariz.
Lindsi M. Weber
The Burgess Law Group; Phoenix
Christopher J. Wells
Alvarez & Marsal; Phoenix
Daniel R. Williams
J.S. Held LLC; Scottsdale, Ariz.
John T. Young, Jr.
Conway MacKenzie, Inc.; Houston
Hotel
The Four Seasons 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 $229 per night. To secure the special rate, reservations must be made directly with the resort by August 18, 2021. 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.
**The statement below applies to in-person attendance only**
This program is eligible for 8 hours of general CLE credit, including 1.25 hours of ethics/diversity, in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour, and 9.6 hours of general CLE credit, including 1.5 hours of ethics/diversity, in 50-minute-hour states. Credit hours are estimated, are subject to each state’s approval and credit-rounding rules, and might not be approved prior to the program. California MCLE: ABI certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit in the amount of 8 hours, of which 1.25 hours will apply to ethics. NY MCLE: This course or program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for a maximum of 9.5 credit hours, of which 8 credit hours can be applied toward the professional practice requirement and 1.5 credit hours can be applied toward the ethics professionalism requirement.
9.5 hours of CPE credit, including 1.5 hours of behavioral 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. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website, www.nasbaregistry.org.
Registration Rates
In-Person | |||
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ABI Member
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$725
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ABI Govt./Nonprofit/Aca. Member
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$475
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Join & Save*
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$1075
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New Govt./Nonprofit/Aca. ABI Member**
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$575
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* Includes a one-year membership for first-time members only — a $375 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 | Price | ||
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Opening Reception
Opening Reception Guest
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Free
$75
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Margarita Reception
Margarita Reception Guest
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Free
$50
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Cancellation Policy
All fees, except a $75 handling fee, will be refunded if notice is received in writing by July 30, 2021. No refunds will be made if notice is received after July 30, although substitutions will be allowed. After July 30, 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 the same conference next year.
Anti-Harassment Policy
The American Bankruptcy Institute is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers. Our anti-harassment policy can be found at https://www.abi.org/about-us/bylaws-and-policies.
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. 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].