11:00 a.m.

Registration Desk Open

11:45 a.m.-12:00 noon

Welcome

12:00-1:00 p.m.

Frank W. Koger Memorial Luncheon and Lecture

Sponsored by Carmody MacDonald P.C. and Husch Blackwell

ABI Consumer Commission Report

ABI's 250-page Commission Report provides a roadmap for enhancing the fresh start, improving creditor certainty and making chapter 13 work for all stakeholders. Hear what's next from one of the members of the Commission.

Alane A. Becket

Becket & Lee LLP; Malvern, Pa.

1:00-1:10 p.m.

Refreshment Break

1:10-2:15 p.m.

ABI Talks - Bankruptcy Ideas Worth Sharing

Venue Reform

Mark T. Benedict

Husch Blackwell LLP; Kansas City, Mo.

Economic Forecasts

William K. Black

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law; Kansas City, Mo.

Sovereign Citizens

Thomas M. Horan

Fox Rothschild LLP; Wilmington, Del.

Marijuana Issues

Mathew A. Petersen

Spencer Fane LLP; Kansas City, Mo.

2:15-3:30 p.m.

Concurrent Breakouts (2)

Mock Dischargeability Hearing

This session offers a valuable-yet-fun look at §523 through a mock adversary trial. Conducted by some of the most experienced bankruptcy litigators in the country, this event will most definitely help sharpen your trial skills.

Michael P. Gaughan

Lewis Rice LLC; Shawnee Mission, Kan.

Hon. Shon Hastings

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. N.D.); Fargo, N.D.

Bradley D. McCormack

The Sader Law Firm; Kansas City, Mo.

Ashley B. Garr

First American Title Insurance Company; Leawood, Kan.

Health Care Panel

The panel will discuss the risk of administratively insolvent health care cases, the issues that create such risk, the impact on the various constituencies, and potential ways to mitigate those risks, including the use of cash collateral and availability of post-petition financing. The panel will also address one specific issue that creates the risk of administratively insolvent health care cases: the exercise of the so-called Strumpf administrative freeze by CMS on Medicare reimbursements, which can cut off the lifeline of many health care businesses.

Richard T. Arrowsmith

Alvarez & Marsal; Washington, D.C.

John J. Cruciani

Husch Blackwell LLP; Kansas City, Mo.

Nancy A. Peterman

Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Chicago

3:30-3:45 p.m.

Refreshment Break

3:45-5:15 p.m.

Ethically Speaking: Competence and Common Pitfalls in Bankruptcy

Among the many foundations of practicing law is competence. Competency is especially important and hard to achieve in an area of the law as complex as bankruptcy. This session will examine what the Model Rules of Professional Conduct have to say about competence, what we learn about competence in bankruptcy practice from related case law, and how to avoid the pitfalls and mistakes of others.

Elizabeth M. Lally

Goosmann Law Firm; Omaha, Neb.

5:30-7:00 p.m.

Networking Reception

7:30-8:00 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast

Sponsored by MorrisAnderson & Associates, Ltd.

8:00-8:15 a.m.

Welcome and Second-Day Announcements

8:15-9:30 a.m.

Case Law Updates From the Bench

This panel of Eighth and Tenth Circuit bankruptcy judges will discuss several recent decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals and Bankruptcy Appellate Panels, and elsewhere that are likely to impact on your bankruptcy practice.

Hon. Brian T. Fenimore

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

Hon. Terrence L. Michael

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Okla.); Tulsa

Hon. Kathleen H. Sanberg

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Minn.); Minneapolis

Hon. Kathy A. Surratt-States

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

9:30-9:45 a.m.

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by Thompson Coburn LLP and Williams-Keepers LLC

9:45-10:45 a.m.

Concurrent Breakouts (2)

Hot Topics in Consumer Law

This panel will provide insights on a wide range of topics they and their clients may soon face, including bifurcation of attorneys' fees, addressing the standard for imposing sanctions for violation of the discharge injunction, forcing a creditor to turn over a repossessed vehicle post-petition, and the dischargeability of student loans.

Hon. William H. Brown (ret.)

Carbondale, Colo.

Hon. Dennis R. Dow

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

Tara Twomey

National Consumer Law Center; Carmel, Calif.

Hot Topics in Agriculture Law

This panel will focus on current financial stresses facing farmers and agribusinesses; the business management actions that are necessary to guide the successful restructurings or bankruptcies of farmers; and opportunities to utilize chapters 11 and 12 of the Bankruptcy Code to successfully reorganize or “right-size” farming operations, with an emphasis on dealing with the tax implications.

James Cullen

Steeplechase Advisors, LLC; Minnetonka, Minn.

Joseph Peiffer

AG & Business Legal Strategies; Hiawatha, Iowa

Hon. Thomas L. Saladino

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Neb.); Omaha

Donald Swanson

Koley Jessen; Omaha, Neb.

11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Legal Writing: Tips to Make Your Writing Stand Out

In a world of tweets, emojis and acronyms, effective legal writing remains an essential skill. What is good legal writing, and why is it important? Hear about tips and tricks designed to help you write clearly, efficiently and persuasively, despite the complexities of the law.

Hon. Karen Arnold-Burger

Kansas Court of Appeals; Topeka, Kan.

Hon. Cindy Reams Martin

Missouri Court of Appeals (W.D.); Kansas City

12:00-1:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch

Sponsored by Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard P.C. and Tittle Advisory Group, Inc.

1:15-2:15 p.m.

Concurrent Breakouts (2)

Trust Issues: Chapter 7 and 13 Trustee Views on Assets, Income and Case Administration

Two chapter 7 trustees and two chapter 13 trustees will examine the differences in trustee statutory powers under each chapter and will explain how they address various issues under each chapter, including preferential transfers, tax refunds and causes of action.

Jill D. Olsen, Moderator

The Olsen Law Firm, LLC; Liberty, Mo.

Diana S. Daugherty

Office of the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee (E.D. Mo.); St. Louis

Kathleen A. Laughlin

Chapter 13 Trustee (D. Neb.); Omaha

Deborah L. Petersen

Petersen Law PLLC; Council Bluffs, Iowa

Janice E. Stanton

Stanton & Redlingshafer, LLC; Kansas City, Mo.

What Not to Put in a Chapter 11 Plan

This panel will address matters regarding third-party release provisions and injunction provisions, and how to tailor these provisions in chapter 11 plans for confirmation. The panelists also will review current cases involving third-party releases in chapter 11, and will discuss issues with what to include and what not to put in “lockdown agreements,” as well as such related issues as gerrymandering, sales transactions and other chapter 11 plan concerns.

Marcus Helt

Foley Gardere; Dallas

Brent King

GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC; Lenexa, Kan.

Robert T. Kugler

Stinson LLP; Minneapolis

Hon. Anita L. Shodeen

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

2:15-2:30 p.m.

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by Thompson Coburn LLP and Williams-Keepers LLC

2:30-4:00 p.m.

Professional Fees: How to Get Paid Ethically

This panel will discuss fee guidelines for attorneys in larger chapter 11 cases, as well as issues with getting paid in consumer cases, including fee-bifurcation, bankruptcy billing and fee-only chapter 13 cases.

Mark Craige

Crowe & Dunlevy, PC; Tulsa, Okla.

Daniel F. Dooley

MorrisAnderson; Chicago

Hon. Charles “Sketch” Rendlen

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

Jordan Sickman

Office of the U.S. Trustee; Wichita, Kan.

4:00 p.m.

Adjourn