The American Bankruptcy Institute is excited to present the first-ever Consumer Bankruptcy Forum, an innovative online program that will bring together multiple organizations to host interactive and informative educational programming.
Featuring content from NABT, NACBA, NACTT, NCBJ, and ABI’s Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff Seventh Circuit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference and Hon. Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference, the Forum will provide the perfect way for consumer bankruptcy practitioners to stay on top of the latest industry trends while earning valuable CLE/CPE credit — all from the comfort of their home or office. We look forward to “seeing” you in November!
Veterans Day Tribute & Welcome
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Consumer Case Law Update
Presented by ABI’s Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff Seventh Circuit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference and Hon. Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
This session will highlight particularly interesting case law developments to date in 2020 and their impact on bankruptcy law and practice.
Break
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Concurrent Sessions (3)
It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over: Identifying and Addressing Issues Arising at the End of Chapter 13 Cases
Presented by NCBJ
Don’t be caught off-guard by the many issues that debtors, creditors and attorneys face near the completion of chapter 13 cases. This session will help you identify and resolve the many issues that develop at this critical time in the lifespan of a chapter 13, including the payment of outstanding attorneys’ fees, managing a default after 60 months, handling notices of final cure, defaults on direct payments, and the impact of the CARES Act on a debtor’s options in completing a plan.
View MaterialsRacial Disparities in the Bankruptcy System
Presented by the Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff Seventh Circuit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
The panelists will discuss systemic/unconscious bias, defects in the system, and what the bar and the judiciary can do to correct disparate treatment.
View MaterialsStress and Lawyers
Presented by the Hon. Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
This session will examine the high stress levels associated with the legal profession, the consequences of that stress, and what can be done about it. It draws upon recent studies to show empirically that the stress inherent in today’s legal profession is leading to higher rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse. The studies also show that lawyers in their first 10 years of practice are at the greatest risk. To bring a personal touch to these findings, presenter Jeff Zapor will share his personal story of addiction and recovery. Stress-management techniques will then be introduced, as well as some wellness initiatives that are being tried at the national level.
Break
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Concurrent Sessions (2)
Advanced Issues in Chapter 13 Practice
Presented by the Hon. Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
Explore the latest in what constitutes disposable income, raising and overcoming good-faith objections, evolving strategies in student loan treatment, unique issues arising due to COVID-19, and other advanced and challenging issues facing the chapter 13 practitioner.
View MaterialsAfter the Love (and the Money) Is Gone: The Intersection Between Bankruptcy and Divorce
Presented by NABT
Divorce and family separation often serve as the impetus for consumer bankruptcies. This panel will address the intersection between bankruptcy and divorce. For example, the State in which a bankruptcy is filed and the timing of the bankruptcy relative to the filing of a divorce can determine which marital assets are property of the bankruptcy estate. Further, the timing of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage can impact whether assets awarded to the debtor in the divorce can be property of the bankruptcy estate. This panel will also address whether a marital settlement agreement can be set aside as a fraudulent transfer.
Break
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Concurrent Sessions (3)
Issues with Means Testing and Schedules I and J
Presented by the Hon. Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
This session will focus on recent case law and the nuances of the means test, such as CMI, spousal adjustment, tax obligations, 401(k) contributions and rebutting the presumption of abuse. With perspectives from both the U.S. Trustee and debtor, the panelists will also take a deeper look at Schedules I and J compared to the means test, the totality-of-the-circumstances analysis, and objections to income and expenses, in both original and converted cases.
View MaterialsDuties and Obligations upon Conversion
Presented by the Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff Seventh Circuit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
The panelists will discuss § 348(f), bad-faith conversion, best-interest test, post-petition acquisitions, and dilemmas regarding the return of property, among other conversion issues.
View MaterialsChapter 13: The Problem, or the Solution?
Presented by NACTT
Chapter 13 trustees will provide their perspectives on the overlooked benefits of chapter 13 in this session, as well as what constitutes a successful chapter 13 case.
Break
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Concurrent Sessions (3)
Best Practices for Virtual Meetings
Presented by the Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff Seventh Circuit Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
This session will provide a judge’s perspective on preferences for virtual hearings and trials, trustee and debtor attorney discussions on § 341 meetings, and best practices from U.S. Trustee and debtor’s attorney points of view.
View MaterialsCOVID-19 and Bankruptcy
Presented by the Hon. Steven W. Rhodes Consumer Bankruptcy Conference
This session will address the impact that COVID-19 has had on consumer bankruptcy law practice, and what the post-COVID future might look like. The panelists will discuss how court policies and procedures have changed over the course of this health crisis, and will provide a high-level review of substantive issues that have been altered in consumer bankruptcy practice, such as mortgage-forbearance issues. The panelists also will share their experiences working to safely and effectively meet the needs of clients, manage firm business and improve remote work practices. Highlighted will be the importance of proper data-privacy and client-confidentiality measures, and the valuable role of staff productivity measures and tracking controls. The session will also delve into creating emergency-preparedness plans to uphold attorney duties and adequately meet the needs of clients and firm staff in the event of an emergency, untimely death or disability of a firm’s principal or key employee.
View MaterialsStudent Loans, Reexamined
Presented by NACBA
This panel will focus on recent cases that have reexamined the proper application of the Brunner standard without the punitive standards, as well as cases that have distinguished and explained portions of § 523(a)(8) and why they don’t apply to all private student loans. Finally, the panelists will discuss the effect that the CARES Act has had on student loans.
Virtual Networking
Conference Rates
ABI Member & Non-member: $275
Program + ABI Membership for New Members*: $380
* Includes a one-year ABI membership for first-time members — a $375 value! Membership is individual and nonrefundable. If your membership has expired, select the member rate and add in your membership renewal fee.
Cancellation Policy
No refunds will be granted for this online program. Should you become unable to attend any or all of the sessions, upon request, a recording of all sessions can be sent to you, along with the corresponding educational materials.
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 is 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.
We are grateful to the following individuals for their contributions in planning this program.
This program is eligible for 6.25 hours of general CLE credit, including 1.25 hours of mental health/professionalism and 1.25 hours of diversity and inclusion, in states calculating CLE on a 60-minute hour, and 7.5 hours of general CLE credit, including 1.5 hours of mental health/professionalism and 1.5 hours of diversity and inclusion, in 50-minute-hour states. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit-rounding rules 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 6.25 hours, including 1.25 hours of competence and 1.25 hours of elimination of bias. States typically decide whether a program qualifies for MCLE credit in their jurisdiction 4-8 weeks after the program application is submitted. For many live events, credit approval is not received prior to the program.
7.5 hours of CPE credit, including 3 hours of behavioral ethics, are also available.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live delivered online due to COVID-19.
* ABI offers intermediate-level courses, which assume that attendees will have at least some detailed knowledge of 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.
When and how can I access the virtual conference?
Registered attendees will receive a link via email to the attendee website 48 hours before the first session begins. The link will be sent to the email address you used to register for the program, and this is how you will access all of the conference content. You’ll use the same link each day to access the attendee website for the live conference and whenever you choose to view the on-demand content.
What if I don't receive the link?
Contact [email protected], and a member of the ABI team can provide you with one.
Can I share this link with others?
As with in-person meetings, registrations cannot be shared. The registration provides a secure single sign-on experience for the user.
How much time should I expect to be online during the event days?
The virtual workshop takes place over one day on Wednesday, November 11. During breaks from the live sessions, you can visit other areas of the conference, such as the Attendee Lounge.
Are there any specific technology requirements?
You will be able to access the program sessions without downloading any plug-ins or software. However, for best results, we recommend that you use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Chromium Edge to access the sessions. The program will not be available on a mobile/cell phone (iPhone, Android, Blackberry), but can be accessed through laptop, desktop (PC or Mac) and certain other mobile devices (Surface Pro, iPad).
What are the suggested web browser prerequisites?
Internet Explorer 10 or higher
Chromium Edge 80 or higher
Google Chrome 53.0.2785 or higher
Safari 10.0.602.1.50 or higher
Firefox 76 or higher
Note: Mobile web browsers are not supported.