8:00 a.m.

Optional Event

Golf Tournament at Royal Links Golf Club

Sponsored by Snell & Wilmer, LLP

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

American Board of Certification Exams

3:00-6:00 p.m.

ABI Registration Desk Open

5:00-6:00 p.m.

Emerging Leaders and Judges Roundtable (invite only)

Private roundtable for up-and-coming insolvency professionals and the judges in attendance.

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Opening Reception

Sponsored by Development Specialists, Inc., Gordon Silver, KCC and Perkins Coie LLP

7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

ABI Registration Desk Open

7:30-8:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast

Sponsored by Alvarez & Marsal Restructuring and Corporate Finance and McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC

8:00-9:30 a.m.

Very Good Debates

John W. Lucas, Moderator

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; San Francisco

Judicial Debate

Resolved: The “disinterestedness” requirement should be strictly enforced under § 327 (no waivers or ethical walls).

Pro: Hon. Randall L. Dunn

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Or.); Portland

Con: Hon. Madeleine C. Wanslee

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix

Business Debate

Resolved: Acceleration of a debt obligation under a credit agreement should act to prevent the lender from enforcing a prepayment premium

Pro: Lori Sinanyan

Jones Day; Los Angeles

Con: Michael H. Strub, Jr.

Irell & Manella LLP; Newport Beach, Calif.

Consumer Debate

Resolved: Attorneys should be permitted to unbundle services under an engagement agreement with a consumer debtor.

Pro: Samuel A. Schwartz

The Schwartz Law Firm, Inc.; Las Vegas

Con: John R. Bollinger

Boleman Law Firm, P.C.; Hampton, Va.

9:30-9:45 a.m.

Coffee Break

Sponsored by Loeb & Loeb LLP

9:45-11:00 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions (4)

Cutting-Edge Issues in Retention and Fee Applications

This panel will address disclosure issues relating to disinterestedness, compensation and reimbursement requirements, compensation of fees incurred defending fee applications, and flat-fee arrangements between chapter 7 debtors and counsel, and other issues.

Jordan A. Kroop, Moderator

Perkins Coie LLP; Phoenix

Jason S. Brookner

Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C.; Dallas

Tracy Hope Davis

Office of the U.S. Trustee; San Francisco

Hon. Randall L. Dunn

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Or.); Portland

Casino and Gaming Issues in Chapter 11 Cases

This panel will discuss the first-day orders necessary to keep a casino open (including regulatory interplay), including motions related to chips, loyalty programs and progressive play. Featured will be a discussion of the issues related to valuation and the extent of security interests, including cash as proceeds of gaming collateral and perfection of bankroll, along with issues related to plan confirmation and § 363 sales,‎ including regulatory limitations and protection of customer lists.

Thomas R. Kreller, Moderator

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP; Los Angeles

Rudy J. Cerone

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC; New Orleans

Jeffrey R. Truitt

FTI Consulting, Inc.; Los Angeles

Hon. Gregg W. Zive

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Reno

Litigation In the Bankruptcy World – Selected Hot Issues

While case flings are down, the disputes that rage on in the cases have continued on.  The panel will address three (3) selected litigation issues impacting the process: (a) Discovery Matters In Bankruptcy Cases – “Get to the point, get there quickly, get there cost effectively, and get the facts and documents organized”; (b) Expert Witness Matters – “If they know more than you, they must be an expert – right?”  Bankruptcy Judges are becoming more discriminating (and more selective) in who and what is a proper expert and the purview of expert testimony.  The panel will discuss and explore the Daubert criteria for experts, and discuss practical and strategic issues related to the effective use of expert testimony in bankruptcy litigation; and (c) Examiner Reports In Bankruptcy Litigation – we paid a lot of money and used up a lot of time on this report – now what?  The legal and strategic issues related to examiner reports in bankruptcy cases.

Thomas J. Salerno, Moderator

Stinson Leonard Street LLP; Phoenix.

Hon. Bruce T. Beesley

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Reno

Colleen M. Keating

Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP; Los Angeles

Howard Jay Steinberg

Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Los Angeles

 

Hot Consumer Bankruptcy Topics

This year’s hot topics will include two cases currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court: the Caulkett decision concerning lien-stripping on primary residences in chapter 7 cases, and the Harris case regarding distribution of funds held by a chapter 13 trustee upon conversion to chapter 7. The panel will discuss a new Ninth Circuit BAP decision, one of only two in the country, concerning the dischargeability of certain student debts to for-profit institutions, as well as an emerging trend of using the Eleventh Circuit Crawford decision and the FDCPA to challenge “stale” proofs of claim for student debt. The presentation will address lenders refusing to retake abandoned collateral, as well as conflicting results from disposable-income tests, and other issues that will be of interest to those representing parties in consumer cases.

Claire Ann Resop, Moderator

Steinhilber, Swanson & Resop; Madison, Wis.

Ariane Holtschlag

The Law Office of William J. Factor, Ltd.; Chicago

Shelley D. Krohn

Shelley D. Krohn, Ltd.; Las Vegas

Hon. Paul Sala

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix

11:00-11:15 a.m.

Coffee Break

Sponsored by Gavin/Solmonese LLC

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (4)

Hot Topics in Chapter 11

This panel will address a variety of issues in chapter 11 cases, including cramdown interest rates, credit-bidding and equitable mootness, among other issues.

James T. Markus, Moderator

Markus Williams Young & Zimmermann, LLC; Denver

Hon. Martin R. Barash

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Woodland Hills

Marc Bilbao

Imperial Capital, LLC; Los Angeles

Carolyn J. Johnsen

Dickinson Wright PLLC; Phoenix

Justin E. Rawlins

Winston & Strawn LLP; Los Angeles

Criminal and Civil Investigations of Corporate Debtors and Management

This panel will discuss the ways that companies and their advisers can address issues relating to governmental agency investigations (SEC, FBI, IRS) of the debtor and its management, including nondebtor stays, exceptions to discharge and other issues.

Cathy L. Reece, Moderator

Fennemore Craig, P.C.; Phoenix

Hon. Dennis R. Dow

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (W.D. Mo.); Kansas City

Kevin D. Evans

Armstrong Teasdale LLP; Denver

Ronald A. Zahn

Western Forensic Services LLC; Phoenix

How to Prepare Corporate and Individual Debtors for Bankruptcy

This panel will address various pre-bankruptcy planning issues for counsel to consider in preparing corporate or individual debtors for a filing of a case under chapter 7 or 11. Featured will be a discussion on legal, ethical and practical considerations in connection with the initial interviews of potential debtors, preparation of the bankruptcy filing, and preparation of the debtor for what is to follow once a case is commenced.

Peter J. Gurfein, Moderator

Landau Gottfried & Berger LLP; Los Angeles

Jessica C.K. Boelter

Sidley Austin LLP; Chicago

Ford Elsaesser

Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Elliott & Macdonald, Chtd.; Sandpoint, Idaho

Daniel R. Williams

Fenix Financial Forensics LLC; Scottsdale, Ariz.

Intersection Between Bankruptcy and Nonbankruptcy Law

Chaos erupts when a bankruptcy case collides with different spheres of the law. Bankruptcy lawyers continuously have to consider other legal areas in the course of their practice. Your clients routinely seek your guidance because of legal problems arising from other legal matters, ranging from divorce to real estate to commercial litigation. This presentation will assist you in rendering proper legal advice.

Randy Nussbaum, Moderator

Nussbaum Gillis & Dinner, P.C.; Scottsdale, Ariz.

Hon. Eddward P. Ballinger, Jr.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix

John G. Loughnane

Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP; Boston

Brian D. Shapiro

Law Office of Brian D. Shapiro; Las Vegas

12:30-1:15 p.m.

Networking Luncheon

Sponsored by Engelman Berger, PC, Jefferies LLC, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP and Winston & Strawn LLP

1:15-2:15 p.m.

Luncheon Keynote: Oscar Goodman, Former Mayor of Las Vegas

2:15-3:30 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (3)

“Top 10” Changes to Asset Sales Under § 363 of the Bankruptcy Code

This panel will discuss current issues in the stand-alone asset sale process and propose ways that this process can be improved to address the competing interests of the constituencies in a bankruptcy case.

Rob Charles, Moderator

Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP; Tucson, Ariz.

Hilary L. Barnes

Allen Maguire & Barnes, PLC; Phoenix

Oren B. Haker

Stoel Rives LLP; Portland, Ore.

Hon. Margaret M. Mann

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Cal.); San Diego

Professionalism

“So, a lawyer, a judge, and two ABI Presidents walk into a bar….” This panel on professionalism will be designed as a roundtable discussion on professional conduct within the world of bankruptcy. The panelists will discuss ABI’s Principles of Civility and engage the audience in a thoughtful discussion about managing professional relationships with clients, opposing counsel/parties, and the court.

Patrick A. Clisham, Moderator

Engelman Berger, PC; Phoenix

Hon. Daniel P. Collins

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Phoenix

Patricia A. Redmond

Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.; Miami

James Patrick Shea

Armstrong Teasdale LLP; Las Vegas

 

Avoiding Malpractice in Consumer Cases

This panel will address various ethical and substantive issues that can arise when representing consumer debtors.

Karen L. Kellett, Moderator

Armstrong Kellett Bartholow P.C.; Dallas

Hon. August B. Landis

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Las Vegas

Allan D. NewDelman

Law Office of Allan D. NewDelman, P.C.; Phoenix

Lenard E. Schwartzer

Schwartzer & McPherson Law Firm; Las Vegas

3:30-3:45 p.m.

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by Proskauer and Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

3:45-5:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (2)

Oil & Gas Industry-Specific Bankruptcy Issues

With low energy commodity prices the new reality, E&P companies are being forced to restructure their balance sheets — both in and out of court. This panel will discuss legal issues that are crucial to advising a client in E&P restructurings and how those issues may shape your strategy, including oil and gas leases as absolute conveyances and the protection of royalty-holders; ORRIs, NPIs and production payments; plugging and abandonment liability; M&M liens; borrowing bases under RBL credit facilities; and joint operating agreements.

Frank A. Merola, Moderator

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP; Los Angeles

Dean E. Swick

Alvarez & Marsal; Century City, Calif.

Hon. Barbara J. Houser

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Tex.); Dallas

Deborah D. Williamson

Dykema Cox Smith; San Antonio

Playing for Profit: The Bondholder’s Playbook

The existence of multiple bondholders can impose uncertainty and gamesmanship in a contest for economic gain from distressed corporate situations. The paper that they hold rarely tells the whole story; bondholders may have competing investments, undisclosed hedges and varying purchase price discounts that make it impossible to determine their true position. This panel will explore issues related to bondholder-led restructurings and takeovers, including the operation of ad hoc committees, the role of indenture trustees, conflicts, disclosures, subordination and deal structures.

Scott F. Gautier, Moderator

Robins Kaplan LLP; Los Angeles

Jeffrey H. Davidson

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; Los Angeles

Stephen M. Pezanosky

Haynes and Boone, LLP; Fort Worth, Texas

Teri Stratton

Piper Jaffray Cos.; El Segundo, Calif.

5:00-6:00 p.m.

Craft Beer Tasting Happy Hour

Sponsored by FTI Consulting, Inc., McGuire Woods LLP, Nussbaum Gillis & Dinner, P.C., Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLP and Stinson Leonard Street LLP

7:30 p.m.

Optional Event

Michael Jackson’s ONE

8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

ABI Registration Desk Open

8:30-9:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast

Sponsored by Allen Maguire & Barnes PLC and Greenberg Traurig, LLP

9:00-10:15 a.m.

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.

10:15-10:30 a.m.

Coffee Break

Sponsored by Ernst & Young LLP and Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP

10:30-11:45 a.m.

Plenary Session

Ethics

This panel will address current ethical topics relating to attorney and client conduct in the context of out-of-court and bankruptcy restructurings.

Steven M. Berman, Moderator

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Tampa, Fla.

Donald W. Fitzgerald

Felderstein Fitzgerald Willoughby & Pascuzzi LLP; Sacramento, Calif.

Hon. Scott H. Gan

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Tucson

Edward T. Gavin

Gavin/Solmonese LLC; Wilmington, Del.

11:45 a.m.

Adjourn

Hon. Martin R. Barash

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Cal.); Woodland Hills

Steven M. Berman

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Tampa, Fla.

John D. Bittner

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; Dallas

Jason S. Brookner

Gray Reed & McGraw, PC; Dallas

Rob Charles

Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP; Tucson, Ariz.

Dawn M. Cica

Fox Rothschild LLP; Las Vegas

David D. Cleary

Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Phoenix

Patrick A. Clisham

Engelman Berger, PC; Phoenix

Hon. Laurel E. Davis

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Las Vegas

Ford Elsaesser

Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Elliott & Macdonald, Chtd.; Sandpoint, Idaho

Scott D. Fleming

Armstrong Teasdale LLP; Las Vegas

Gregory E. Garman

Garman Turner Gordon; Las Vegas

Peter J. Gurfein

Landau Gottfried & Berger LLP; Los Angeles

Douglas E. Himmel

Melville Capital; Venice, Calif.

Nicole Horton

Ernst & Young LLP; Los Angeles

Carolyn J. Johnsen

Dickinson Wright PLLC; Phoenix

Lance N. Jurich

Loeb & Loeb LLP; Los Angeles

Ori Katz

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP; San Francisco

Aaron M. Kaufman

Dykema Cox Smith; Dallas

Jordan A. Kroop

Perkins Coie LLP; Phoenix

Heather A. LaSalle

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC; New Orleans

Nile Leatham

Kolesar & Leatham; Las Vegas

Marc Liebman

Alvarez & Marsal; Phoenix

Robert J. Pfister

Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP; Los Angeles

Mark A. Platt

McGuireWoods LLP; Dallas

Peter J. Rathwell

Snell & Wilmer; Phoenix

Justin E. Rawlins

Winston & Strawn LLP; Los Angeles

Cathy L. Reece

Fennemore Craig, P.C.; Las Vegas

Deb Riley

Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP; San Diego

Hon. Gregg W. Zive

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Reno