12:00-5:30 p.m.

ABI Registration Desk Open

12:45 p.m.

Welcome

1:00-2:15 p.m.

Concurrent Breakouts (3)

Consumer Track: Square Pegs in Round Holes- How Partnership and LLC Interests are Treated in Bankruptcy

The unique nature of partnerships and limited liability companies causes great uncertainty when a debtor owns a part of them. The bankruptcy code has almost nothing explicitly to say about these entities, leaving practitioners and courts to work out the details. Our panel will cover the fundamental nature of these entities, how that nature affects what a trustee or debtor can do with them, and problems that arise for the entity when a part owner files bankruptcy.

T. Randall Wright, Moderator

Baird Holm LLP; Omaha, Neb.

Hon. Robert D. Berger

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Kansas City

Phillip L. Kunkel

Gray Plant Mooty; St. Cloud, Minn.

Abbe M. Stensland

Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC; Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Business Track: Intellectual Property in Bankruptcy

Intellectual Property can constitute one of the most valuable and significant assets that a company may own. This panel will discuss what happens when two very unique areas of law collide and what every insolvency practitioner needs know when dealing with intellectual property in distressed circumstances.

John G. Loughnane, Moderator

Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP; Boston

Robert F. Reilly

Willamette Management Associates; Chicago

Patricia S. Rogowski

Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP; Wilmington, Del.

Rebecca S. Stroder

Mandiant, a division of FireEye, Inc., Kansas City

Professional Development Track: Negotiating Successful Workout Agreements: The Human Element

This panel will deal will the human side of workouts and how deals get successfully negotiated. Some of the topics to be covered may include managing expectations, creating common understanding of facts, building and earning trust, face-to-face meetings, understanding motivations and concerns, managing disruptive personalities, back-channel communications, win-win vs. win-lose negotiating styles and more.

Benjamin F. Mann, Moderator

Husch Blackwell LLP; Kansas City

Laura Marcero

Huron Consulting Group Inc.; Troy, Mich.

Rebecca A. Roof

AlixPartners LLP; New York

Daniel R. Wiggins

MorrisAnderson; St. Louis

2:15-2:30 p.m.

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by Williamette Management Associates

2:30-3:45 p.m.

Concurrent Breakouts (3)

Consumer Track: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau- Consumer Industry Watchdog

Many consumers feel the mortgage and credit industry has been nipping at their heels for a long time without any rhyme or reason. The CFPB was enacted as the watchdog to protect the consumer through education, enforcement of the law and through studying the behavior of the creditor industry. This Panel will introduce you to the benefits and services of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Caralyce M. Lassner, Moderator

Caralyce M. Lassner, JD, PC; Utica, Mich.

Prof. Prentiss Cox

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis

David H. Hixson

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; Washington, D.C.

Prof. Judith Popper

University of Missouri-Kansas City; Kansas City

Business Track: Select Issues from the ABI Chapter 11 Commission Report

Two of the commissioners from the ABI’s Chapter 11 Reform Commission (and former ABI presidents) will give a report on two parts of the Commission Report that could impact your everyday practice. Jim Markus will discuss the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises section and Geoff Berman will discuss Avoidance Actions

Mark G. Stingley, Moderator

Bryan Cave LLP; Kansas City, Mo.

Geoffrey L. Berman

Development Specialists, Inc.; Los Angeles

James T. Markus

Markus Williams Young & Zimmermann, LLC; Denver

Professional Development Track: Oral and Written Advocacy in Bankruptcy

This panel of local bankruptcy judges will address what works and what doesn’t work in both written and oral advocacy. Thus, whether you are a new lawyer just starting out or a seasoned litigator looking to hone your skills, this session is for you.

Prof. Betsy Brand Six, Moderator

University of Kansas School of Law; Lawrence, Kan.

Hon. Thad J. Collins

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Iowa); Cedar Rapids

Hon. Dennis R. Dow

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

Hon. Janice M. Karlin

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Topeka

Hon. Barry S. Schermer

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis

3:45-4:05 p.m.

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by McGladrey LLP

4:05-5:35 p.m.

Plenary Session

Ethics Presentation: Selected Ethical Issues in Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy attorneys are faced with ethical issues every day. This plenary session will cover a variety of issues that every bankruptcy attorney should be aware of.

Prof. Michael Korybut

St. Louis University School of Law; St. Louis

5:35-6:00 p.m.

ABI Committee and/or IWIRC Networking Event(s)

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Opening Networking Reception

Sponsored by Advisory Board Member Firms

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

8:00-9:15 a.m. (1.25)

Plenary Session

Six Degrees of Separation: Exploring the Limits of Related-To Jurisdiction

This panel will discuss the expanding body of case law on the limits of the bankruptcy court's jurisdiction over proceedings "related-to" a bankruptcy case under 28 U.S.C. §§ 157(a) and 1334. The panel will also address the impact of the Supreme Court’s recent rulings in Stern, Executive Benefits and Wellness International and how these decisions have impacted the Bankruptcy Court’s authority and jurisdiction.

Eric W. Anderson, Moderator

Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP; Atlanta

Bryan C. Bacon

Evans & Dixon, L.L.C.; Columbia, Mo.

Hon. Dale L. Somers

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Topeka

Prof. G. Ray Warner

St. John’s University School of Law

Of Counsel, Greenberg Traurig, LLP; New York

9:15-9:30 a.m.

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by Tittle Advisory Group, Inc.

9:30-10:45 a.m. (1.25)

Plenary Session

Bankruptcy Case Update- A Judge’s Panel

This session will discuss recent bankruptcy cases from the Supreme Court and the Eighth and Tenth Circuits from the point of view of three bankruptcy appellate panel judges.

Hon. Arthur B. Federman

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

Hon. Robert E. Nugent

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Kan.); Wichita

Hon. Anita L. Shodeen

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Iowa); Des Moines

10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (1.5)

Plenary Session

Ethics Presentation: Ghostwriting and Limited Representation

An exploration of the issues, tensions and competing demands that frequently arise in connection with the representation of both consumers and small businesses as debtors where circumstances do not allow lawyers to be paid a full fee to represent the debtor with respect to all aspects of their bankruptcy case. Among other matters, the panel will consider are issues relating to access to the bankruptcy system and the legal fees that the consumer/business can afford and the market will support. The panel will also discuss various pertinent Rules of Professional Conduct, which may include RPCs 1.1 (competency), 1.2 (scope of representation), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees), 1.6 (confidentiality), 1.8(f), 3.3 and 8.4, as well as pertinent case law and the White Paper produced by the ABI’s National Ethics Task Force on limited services representation in consumer bankruptcy cases.

Richard M. Meth, Moderator

Fox Rothschild LLP; Roseland, N.J.

Deborah K. Ebner

The Law Office of Deborah Kanner Ebner; Chicago

Edward J. Nazar

Hinkle Law Firm LLC; Wichita, Kan.

Hon. Charles “Sketch” Rendlen, III

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis

12:15-1:45 p.m. (1.5)

Luncheon

Sponsored by MorrisAnderson and Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP

The Detroit Bankruptcy

Hear it from the lawyer who represented Detroit in its Chapter 9 Case. David Heiman will discuss the many events that made this case the case that it was including the way the deal of a lifetime was made.

David G. Heiman

Jones Day; Cleveland

1:45-3:00 p.m. (1.25)

Concurrent Breakouts (3)

Consumer Track: The Intersection of Divorce and Bankruptcy

There is a reason attorneys choose the practice of bankruptcy and one of those reasons is, they would rather not handle a divorce case even with a ten foot pole. Unfortunately there are grave consequences if you are unclear as to how the bankruptcy code and a divorce may interact. This Panel will guide you through the minefield of potential issues thereby preventing your client’s divorce from blowing up your case.

Hon. Margaret Dee McGarity

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Wis.); Milwaukee

Wendall J. Sherk

Sherk & Swope, LLC; St. Louis, Mo.

Hon. Kathy A. Surratt-States

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis

Business Track: Nonprofit and Religious-Related Bankruptcies

Even not for profit and religious based organizations can file bankruptcy, as best evidenced by the filings of various archdioceses throughout the country. This panel will address the law, nuances and considerations involved when a not for profit or religious based organization files bankruptcy.

Paul R. Hage, Moderator

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss; Southfield, Mich.

Scott K. Brown

Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP; Phoenix

Evan C. Hollander

Arnold & Porter LLP; New York

Hon. Lee M. Jackwig

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D. Iowa); Des Moines

Federal Evidence Part I

Contrary to urban legend, the Federal Rules of Evidence do apply in bankruptcy court. In this two-part session taught by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert E. Larsen there will be everything a practitioner needs to know about trying a federal case. If you took Evidence 101 in law school and have even a vague recollection of basic relevance and a primitive understanding of hearsay, you will discover that there are only five types of witnesses and five kinds of exhibits, learn the evidentiary foundation and disclosure requirement for each, and leave the sessions equipped to try virtually any federal case - civil or criminal, bench or jury.

Hon. Robert E. Larsen

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

3:00-3:15 p.m.

Refreshment Break

3:15-4:30 p.m. (1.5)

Concurrent Breakouts (3)

Consumer Track: Student Loan Discharge: Where Are We in 2015?

Graduates and individuals who attended college or trade school are struggling with their student loan debt. This panel will explore the current trends in student loan litigation in bankruptcy, as well as administrative options for restructuring and settling student loan debt.

Hon. C. Ray Mullins, Moderator

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Ga.); Atlanta

Prof. Susan E. Hauser

North Carolina Central University School of Law; Durham, N.C.

Erlene W. Krigel

Krigel & Krigel, P.C.; Kansas City, Mo.

Hon. Cynthia A. Norton

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

Business Track: The Creeping Business Judgment Rule

When does “business judgment” become a foolish gamble? Our panel of experienced professionals will share stories from recent cases where the “alleged” best of intentions of management went awry and led to corporate failure, resulting in litigation seeking restitution for the damage

Christopher A. Ward, Moderator

Polsinelli PC; Wilmington, Del.

Scott J. Goldstein

Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP; Kansas City, Mo.

Deborah M. Gutfeld

Perkins Coie LLP; Denver

Federal Evidence Part II

A continuation of a two-part session with everything a practitioner needs to know about trying a federal case. everything a practitioner needs to know about trying a federal case.

Hon. Robert E. Larsen

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

4:30 p.m.

Adjourn