Join ABI for the 2023 Southwest Bankruptcy Conference at the amazing Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara! Tucked onto 78 acres overlooking the Pacific, this resort is the perfect place to reconnect with friends and colleagues with a side of CLE.
Experienced practitioners and regional judges will present information-packed sessions on a variety of topics, both business and consumer — ensuring that there is something for everyone.
Escape to Santa Barbara and join us!
Optional Event
Golf Tournament at Sandpiper Golf Club
The championship golf course at Sandpiper has been rated by Golf Digest as one of the top 25 public golf courses in California and among the top 100 public courses in the country. It was designed by William F. Bell and opened in 1972 featuring beautiful, rolling fairways and challenging greens in a seaside links-style layout. Sandpiper’s dynamic design attracts players of all skill levels, including players of the highest caliber.
The $200 green fee includes all tournament fees and boxed lunch. Please check the appropriate box on the online registration form to play, and indicate your handicap.
ABI Registration Desk Open
Speaker/Sponsor Reception (Invite Only)
Opening Reception
Sponsored by Stretto
ABI Registration Desk Open
Networking Breakfast
Welcome Remarks
Plenary Session: Judges’ Roundtable
This session will provide opportunities for discussion and interaction with an exciting panel of judges from around the country.
Networking Break
Concurrent Sessions (3)
General: Artificial Intelligence
Business: Bank Failures
Consumer: Chapter 7/Chapter 13 Conversions
The panel will address a number of issues that arise when chapter 13 cases are either converted or dismissed, the impact of post-petition appreciation in chapter 13s, whether chapter 13 trustees are entitled to compensation prior to confirmation of the case, and the ramifications of In re Evans, in which the Ninth Circuit denied the chapter 13 trustee fees upon dismissal of the case.
Networking Break
Concurrent Sessions (2)
Business: Involuntary Bankruptcies
This panel will provide practical information and business considerations for filing an involuntary bankruptcy case, and helpful guidance when litigating entry of an order for relief.
General: Supreme Court Jurisprudence
The panel will discuss bankruptcy Supreme Court cases from the last two years and their effects at the trial court level. The panelists will also highlight key issues where there are circuit splits that may provide ground for future Supreme Court jurisprudence.
Lunch
Luncheon Plenary: ABI Talks
Four Legislative Changes for Third-Party Releases
“DIP Order Creep”: What Can You Get Now?
“Person Aggrieved” and Bankruptcy Appeals
State of the Market
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Consumer: Hot Topics and Ethical Issues in Consumer Cases
This panel will explore a combination of ethical/malpractice issues that consumer lawyers typically face. The panelists will focus on new developments in bankruptcy case law that are plaguing unwary lawyers, such as technical deadlines, procedural pitfalls, disclosure requirements, fee controversies, confusing statutes, the lack of clear guidelines among the different districts, uncertainty as to the propriety of certain practices, and rapidly changing and developing case law.
General: Cryptocurrency and Bankruptcy
This panel will dive into the intersection of cryptocurrency and bankruptcy to demystify and identify the key bankruptcy issues that arise in cryptocurrency cases. Several recent notable case decisions and issues will be discussed, including Celsius Network LLC, Voyager Digital Holdings Inc., Cred Inc. and FTX Trading Ltd. The panelists also will explore the practical impact of crypto issues on everyday bankruptcy practice, including determining the ownership of assets, funding the administrative expenses during the case, devising a plan of reorganization that offers the issuance of new stock and a new token as part of the plan treatment, the problem with liquidation of crypto assets, and the positions that governmental agencies are taking in certain cases.
Business: Pre-Bankruptcy Planning: Too Much or Too Little?
This panel will discuss pre-bankruptcy planning in the wake of In re LTL Management. What must you do? What may you do? What are the limits?
Happy Hour
Optional Event
Wine Tasting
Join us at the renowned Bacara wine-tasting room for an exclusive wine-tasting experience! A knowledgeable sommelier will guide you through a variety of vineyards and fine wines. Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply appreciate a good glass, this event promises to satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more. So grab a glass, mingle with fellow attendees, and let the good times flow!
The cost is $150 per person, which includes tastings, snacks and gratuity. Please check the appropriate box on the online registration form. Space is limited, and a minimum number of participants must be met.
ABI Registration Desk Open
Networking Breakfast
Plenary Session: Concrete Recommendations for Identifying and Eliminating Bias in Law Firms and Courts
Law firms, law schools and even courts are not free from bias — the types of bias that you may be aware of, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and disability, but also some types of bias that you might never have focused on. This panel discusses how to identify and work toward eliminating these biases.
This panel qualifies for both CLE and Elimination of Bias credit.Adjourn
| Early Bird (by 7/17/23) | Regular (7/18/23-8/14/23) | Late (after 8/14/23) | ||
| Registration Rates* | ||||
| ABI Member | $750 | $805 | $875 | |
| Join and Save** | $1,150 | $1,205 | $1,275 | |
| Govt./Nonprofit ABI Member | $345 | $395 | $445 | |
| New Govt./Nonprofit ABI Member** | $470 | $520 | $570 | |
| Consumer (Debtor)*** | $320 | $370 | $420 | |
| * There will be a $50 fee added to all on-site registrations. ** Includes a one-year membership for first-time members only — a $425 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. *** This rate is available only to full-time consumer debtor attorneys. Members will be designated as a consumer debtor specialist in the online membership directory for consumer conference rates. | ||||
| Exhibitor Rates | ||||
| ABI Member Exhibitor Registration**** | $1,600 | |||
| New ABI Member Exhibitor Registration***** | $2,000 | |||
| Additional Booth Representative | $500 | |||
| **** Includes one 6’ table and full registration for one booth representative. | ||||
| ***** Includes one 6’ table, full registration for one booth representative AND a one-year ABI membership for first-time members only — a $425 value! | ||||
| Registrant | Adult Guest | |||
| Optional Events | ||||
| Golf Tournament at Sandpiper Golf Club | $200 | $200 | ||
| Opening Reception Registrant | Included | $75 | ||
| Happy Hour | Included | $50 | ||
Cancellation Policy
All fees, except a $75 handling fee, will be refunded if notice is received in writing by August 7, 2023. No refunds will be made if notice is received after August 7, although substitutions will be allowed. After August 7, 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.
Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara combines the appeal of this coastal city with the beauty of its natural surroundings. Here, you can escape to the tranquility of two beaches, three infinity-edge pools and a 42,000-sq-ft spa. You can relax in spacious suites, or indulge in the region’s abundance with locally sourced cuisine.
ABI has arranged a special conference rate of $360 per night. To secure this special rate, reservations must be made directly with the resort by August 7, 2023. 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
Air: Fly into the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) or Los Angeles International (LAX). The hotel is approximately 2 hours from LAX.
Ground: Driving time is ~2 hours from Los Angeles and ~6 hours from Las Vegas.
Conference Attire
Attire is casual throughout the conference.
Judicial Co-Chairs
Program Co-Chairs
Sponsorship Co-Chairs
Advisory Board
7.5 hours of CLE credit, including 1.25 hours of ethics, are pending in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour, and 9 hours of CLE credit, including 1.5 hours of ethics, are pending in 50-minute-hour states. Credit hours granted are subject to each state’s CLE credit-approval regulations 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 7.5 hours. 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 credit hours, of which 9 credit hours can be applied toward the professional practice requirement and 1.5 credit hours can be applied toward the ethics professionalism requirement. 9 hours of CPE credit, including 1.5 hours of ethics, are also available.
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].
CPE credit is NOT AVAILABLE for viewing on-demand recorded sessions.
The American Bankruptcy Institute 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 for Group Live (live in-person) and Group Internet-Based (live webinar) programs. 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.learningmarket.org.
- Recommended CPE credits and field of study: Accounting, Specialized Knowledge
- Program attendees can earn up to 14.0 hours of CPE credit.
- Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites.
- Advanced preparation: None
- Program level: Intermediate
- Delivery method: Group Live
How to request CPE credit: To request CPE credit for your participation (and obtain a certificate of completion), you will need to complete an ABI Attendance Affidavit, which is available at the end of the entire conference after we have verified your attendance. To receive CPE credit, please click "+ Add Accrediting Agency" and select NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy).
NOTE: All attendees seeking CPE credit must sign in and sign out. You may only claim credit for sessions within the period between your sign-in and sign-out; credit will be adjusted or modified accordingly.
You will receive a personalized link to submit your Attendance Affidavit via email within 7 business days of the last day of the conference. If you do not receive this email by then, please contact [email protected].