Alexandria, Va. — ABI’s popular Bankruptcy 2021: Views from the Bench program will take place on Sept. 24 and will feature the views of more than 20 sitting and retired bankruptcy judges during a full day of high-quality CLE and networking opportunities. Attendees will have the option of attending the program either in person at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C., or virtually via an innovative online platform. This year’s program will examine a number of current issues related to bankruptcy case confirmation, the changing real estate landscape, small business reorganization and much more. Attendees have the chance to earn up to 6/7.2 hours of CLE/CPE credit and up to 1.2 hours of ethics. The judicial co-chair of the program is Bankruptcy Judge Michelle M. Harner (D. Md.; Baltimore), and the program chair is Donald A. Workman of BakerHostetler (Washington, D.C.). Those attending in person will have access to exclusive networking events, while virtual program attendees will be able to view livestreamed panels and have access to on-demand sessions through October 24, 2021.

The program will also feature ABI’s popular Great Debates session, with Norman N. Kinel of Squire Patton Boggs (New York) serving as moderator for both discussions. The first debate, between two U.S. Bankruptcy Judges for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), Hon. Ashely M. Chan and Hon. Eric L. Frank, will examine whether the Bankruptcy Code impliedly repeals the Federal Arbitration Act with respect to disputes regarding the allowance of claims against a bankruptcy estate. The second debate, featuring two U.S. Bankruptcy Judges for the District of Massachusetts (Boston), Hon. Janet E. Bostwick and Hon. Frank J. Bailey, considers whether a chapter 11 plan of reorganization may lawfully release the liability of a third party for its own tortious conduct without the consent of the creditor whose claim is being released.

Panel sessions at the Views from the Bench program include:

• Confirmation: Brave New World?
• Confirmation: The Rest of the Story
• The Changing Real Estate Landscape
• Small Business Reorganization
• Ethics: The Game-Changing Benefits of Diversity & Elimination of Bias

If you are a member of the press and would like to attend the Views from the Bench program, please contact ABI Public Affairs Officer John Hartgen at 703-894-5935 or [email protected].

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ABI is the largest multi-disciplinary, nonpartisan organization dedicated to research and education on matters related to insolvency. ABI was founded in 1982 to provide Congress and the public with unbiased analysis of bankruptcy issues. The ABI membership includes nearly 10,000 attorneys, accountants, bankers, judges, professors, lenders, turnaround specialists and other bankruptcy professionals, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information. For additional information on ABI, visit www.abiworld.org. For additional conference information, visit http://www.abi.org/calendar-of-events.