Wednesday, September 13
7:30 a.m.
Registration Opens
8:00-9:15 a.m.
Welcome and WSJ Pro Bankruptcy Breakfast Briefing
Navigating Retail's Woes
There have been numerous retailer bankruptcies so far in 2017 — from The Limited to Gymboree — and more are expected as the industry grapples with the consumer shift to online shopping. During this session, Lillian Rizzo of the Wall Street Journal will lead a discussion on the biggest issues facing retailers, and how advisers, investors and the companies themselves are navigating these difficult times. The panelists will look at the biggest issues faced by companies when they seek bankruptcy protection — as well as situations in which retailers were able to stave off a bankruptcy filing.
Robert McMahon
Encina Business Credit LLC, Chicago, Ill.
Perry Mandarino
B. Riley & Co., LLC, New York
9:15-10:30 a.m.
Plenary Session
Potpourri: Mediation, Opportunities for Young Lawyers, and the Role of Delaware Counsel
This judges' panel will include a discussion of various aspects of mediation, the judges' views on developing and encouraging younger lawyers, and a discussion of the important role served by Delaware lawyers when acting as local counsel.
Mark Minuti, Moderator
Saul Ewing LLP; Wilmington
Hon. Brendan L. Shannon, Chief Judge
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Kevin J. Carey
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Kevin Gross
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Laurie Selber Silverstein
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Mary F. Walrath
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
10:30-10:45 a.m.
Refreshment Break
10:45-12:00 noon
Plenary Session
A Tale of Two Business Courts
This panel will discuss the similarities and differences of judicial approaches in Delaware’s two most prominent business courts: Chancery and Bankruptcy. The panelists will discuss how the different courts approach their reviews of transactions and the statutory interpretations for two statute-driven practices, and how an appellate court views the two courts.
Mark S. Chehi, Moderator
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Wilmington
Hon. Brendan L. Shannon, Chief Judge
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Joseph R. Slights III, Vice Chancellor
Delaware Court of Chancery
Hon. Kent A. Jordan, Circuit Judge
U.S. Court of Appeals (3d Cir.); Wilmington
Paul J. Lockwood
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Wilmington
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Luncheon and Plenary Session: Reflections on Delaware's Largest Ch. 11 Case
Stacey Doré
Hunt Utility Services and InfraREIT; Dallas
Former Exec. V.P. and General Counsel EFH
Chad J. Husnick
Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Chicago
1:30-1:45 p.m.
Networking Break
1:45-2:45 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Young Lawyers Track: Nuts & Bolts on First-Day Motions
This panel will consider issues related to the preparation and presentation of first-day motions, including strategies for guiding the company through the pre-filing process, efficient and timely collection of relevant data, and the presentation of necessary information to the court.
Paul N. Heath, Moderator
Richards, Layton & Finger, PA; Wilmington
Hon. Laurie Selber Silverstein
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Walter Brown
FTI Consulting, Inc., Dallas, TX
Debra A. Dandeneau
Baker & McKenzie LLP; New York
Sunny Singh
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; New York
Mid-Level Track: Time for Trial: Presenting Evidence in Contested Matters Before Bankruptcy Courts
This panel will explore presenting evidence in contested matters before bankruptcy courts, including laying proper evidentiary foundations, attacking evidentiary foundations, common evidentiary objections, and strategic considerations in presenting or contesting evidence in a contested matter before a bankruptcy court — along with insight from an experienced judge on the most effective strategies and judicial preferences.
Donald J. Detweiler, Moderator
Pepper Hamilton LLP; Wilmington
Hon. Brendan L. Shannon, Chief Judge
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Patrick J. Neligan, Jr.
Neligan LLP; Dallas
Melissa S. Kibler
Mackinac Partners, Chicago
Catherine L. Steege
Jenner & Block; Chicago
Experienced Practitioners Track: Trends in Secured Financing, DIP Lending, Cash Collateral and Exit Financing
This panel will discuss current trends and recent decisions in cash collateral usage, debtor-in-possession financings and exit financings, including strategies for effectively negotiating such financing arrangements, best practices and addressing common objections.
Robert J. Dehney, Moderator
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP; Wilmington
Hon. Kevin J. Carey
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Matthew Barr
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; New York
Dimitri G. Karcazes
Goldberg Kohn Ltd.; Chicago
2:45-3:00 p.m.
Networking Break
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (3)
Young Lawyers Track: Best Practices for Motion and Brief Drafting
This panel will discuss the best practices for drafting motions and briefs and presenting those filings to the court when they are contested and uncontested. The panelists also will discuss the pitfalls to avoid when drafting motions and briefs and presenting those pleadings to the court.
Kate Stickles, Moderator
Cole Schotz P.C.; Wilmington
Hon. Mary F. Walrath
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Leah M. Eisenberg
Foley & Lardner LLP; New York
James E. Van Horn
McGuireWoods LLP; Baltimore
Mid-Level Track: Career-Development Paths
This session will focus on providing a framework to help mid-level professionals develop a plan for advancement in the bankruptcy and restructuring industry, including best practices for developing and maintaining client relationships, creating a personal brand, navigating intra-firm politics, identifying opportunities for growth, and the use of business and personal networks to achieve career goals.
Christopher M. Samis, Moderator
Whiteford Taylor Preston, LLP; Wilmington
Hon. Kevin Gross
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Seth Van Aalten
Cooley LLP; New York
Peter Kravitz
Province, Inc.; Henderson, Nev.
Sarah Link Schultz
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Dallas
Experienced Practitioners Track: Hot Topics in Advanced Restructuring
This panel will discuss some of the latest issues and recent decisions arising in mid-sized to large cases, including the sale of assets, plan confirmation issues, the appointment of multiple committees and case dismissal.
Laura Davis Jones, Moderator
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; Wilmington
Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Timothy Coleman
PJT Partners Inc.; New York
Marc Kieselstein
Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Chicago
Jeffery J. Stegenga
Alvarez & Marsal; Dallas
4:00-4:15 p.m.
Networking Break
4:15-5:15 p.m.
Plenary Session
"Get to Know the Judges" Panel Featuring Practice Pointers, Ethics Dos and Don'ts, and Delaware "Folk Law"
In this second all-judges panel, the six sitting Delaware bankruptcy judges will discuss dos and don'ts, Delaware practice tips and judicial preferences, and other topics related to Delaware "folk law." The panel will also include a "getting to know you" session with the judges that will provide insight into just what makes the judges tick.
Joseph M. Barry, Moderator
Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP; Wilmington
Hon. Brendan L. Shannon, Chief Judge
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Kevin J. Carey
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Kevin Gross
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Laurie Selber Silverstein
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Hon. Mary F. Walrath
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
5:15-6:45 p.m.
Networking Reception
To view the full program brochure, click here
Conference Rates
Registration Rates* | Early (postmarked by 8/9/17) |
Regular (after 8/9/17) |
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ABI Member/DSBA Member
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$325
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$375
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Govt./Nonprofit/Aca. ABI Member
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$95
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$95
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New ABI Member*
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$620
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$670
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New Govt./Nonprofit/Aca. ABI Member*
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$190
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$190
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Note: If you are a DSBA member please email [email protected] to have your registration processed at the DSBA member rate. You will not be able to access this rate via the registration portal.
* Includes a one-year ABI membership for first-time members — a $325 value! You must be an ABI Member/DSBA Member to attend. Membership is individual and nonrefundable. If your membership has expired, select the member rate and add in your membership renewal fee.
Exhibitor Rates
ABI Member Exhibitor Registration**
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$1,000
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New ABI Member Exhibitor Registration***
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$1,325
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Additional Booth Representative
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$300
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** Includes one 6’ table and full registration for one booth representative.
*** Includes one 6’ table and full registration for one booth representative AND a one-year ABI membership; you must be an ABI member to attend. Membership is individual and nonrefundable.
Note: All exhibitor rates include the breakfast and all refreshment breaks.
Conference Information
Hotel
Located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, Del., the luxurious Hotel du Pont offers guests comfort and the latest technology set within Wilmington’s financial and legal district. Conveniently located just two hours from New York and Washington, D.C., 60 minutes from Baltimore and 25 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, the historic Hotel du Pont is a well-known retreat in the Mid-Atlantic corridor. ABI has arranged a special conference rate of $249 per night. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel by August 15, 2017, to secure the special rate. When calling the hotel, be sure to mention the American Bankruptcy Institute.
Rooms are held on a first-come, first-served basis. ABI cannot guarantee anyone a room after the August 15 cut-off or after the specially rated ABI block has been filled. The hotel may sell out, so please make your reservations accordingly.
Continuing Education Credit
7 hours of general CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are pending in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour, and 8 hours of general CLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are pending in 50-minute-hour states. Credit hours granted are subject to approval from each state. NY MCLE: This transitional and non-transitional program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the CLE Board for a maximum of 8 credit hours, of which 1 hour of credit can be applied toward the ethics professionalism requirement. 8 hours of CPE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, are also available.
*ABI offers intermediate-level courses, which assume that attendees have some knowledge in insolvency matters (pursuant to the “Statement on Standards for CPE Programs” established by AICPA and NASBA). ABI 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. 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.nasbaregistry.org.
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, ABI may allow the individual to work at the 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. Financial assistance is available for this program. 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 more information, please contact the American Bankruptcy Institute at (703) 739-0800 or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Cancellation Policy
All fees, except a $75 handling fee, will be refunded if written notice of cancellation is received by August 23, 2017. No refunds will be granted after August 23, but substitutions will be allowed. After August 23, 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 this same conference next year.
Chairs
Jeremy W. Ryan, Co-Chair
Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP; Wilmington
Kimberly A. LaMaina, Co-Chair
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Wilmington
Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi, Judicial Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington
Advisory Board |
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Matt Barr Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York Joseph Barry Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP; Wilmington Mark S. Chehi Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Wilmington Debra A. Dandeneau Baker & McKenzie LLP; New York Robert J. Dehney Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP; Wilmington Donald J. Detweiler Pepper Hamilton LLP; Wilmington Leah M. Eisenberg Foley & Lardner LLP; New York Paul N. Heath Richards, Layton & Finger, PA; Wilmington Thomas M. Horan Shaw Fishman Glantz & Towbin LLC; Wilmington Laura Davis Jones Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; Wilmington Dimitri G. Karcazes Goldberg Kohn Ltd.; Chicago |
Peter Kravitz Province, Inc.; Henderson, Nev. Mark Minuti Saul Ewing LLP; Wilmington Eric J. Monzo Morris James LLP; Wilmington Marion M. Quirk Cole Schotz P.C.; Wilmington Christopher M. Samis Whiteford Taylor Preston, LLP; Wilmington Sarah Link Schultz Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Dallas Catherine L. Steege Jenner & Block; Chicago Seth Van Aalten Cooley LLP; New York James E. Van Horn McGuireWoods LLP; Baltimore Jeremy VanEtten Gavin/Solmonese LLC; Wilmington |