Program Schedule

Welcome by Ron Bingham, President

Economic Overview - Bill Rule, Senior Economist for the Administrative Office of the United States, will discuss the recent and current economic climate, the impact it has had on consumers and businesses, and what that could mean for bankruptcy trends going-forward.

SPEAKER: William T. Rule, II

Appellate/Supreme Court Update - Latest Developments in Bankruptcy Issues in the Supreme Court and Circuit Courts. Eric Brunstad will discuss recent Supreme Court opinions and pending Supreme Court cases addressing bankruptcy issues and how those cases will affect our practices. Eric will also explore splits among the Circuits on bankruptcy issues, the likelihood of resolution by the Supreme Court, and implications for consumer and business practitioners.

SPEAKER: G. Eric Brunstad, Jr.

Refreshment Break
Registrants only (included in registration fee)

Hot Topics in Distressed Valuations - SBLI’s long-time friend, Professor Jack Williams from Georgia State University College of Law, will join us to discuss recent trends, hot topics, and court rulings impacting the always important topic of how to effectively and accurately value a failing company’s assets or business.

SPEAKER: Prof. Jack F. Williams

Cocktail Reception (Registrants and Spouses)

The Painted Pin Bowling Reception – Come test your skills with a few games of tenpin against other SBLI attendees. The winner will receive a $100 gift card and bragging rights for a year. Included with conference registration but space is limited. Prior registration is required!

Continental Breakfast
Registrants only (included in registration fee)

SPEAKER: Katherine B. Forrest

SPEAKERS: Hon. Cynthia A. Norton & Prof. Nancy B. Rapoport

Refreshment Break
Registrants only (included in registration fee)

Trial Credit – Trial by Ambush- Showing Up With a Witness - In bankruptcy court we do a lot of proffering. We stipulate, consent, and agree. So what happens when opposing counsel has the audacity to ambush you by showing up with a witness? Or what if they object to your proffer? This panel will help you handle direct examination, cross, and appropriate objections. Be there or get overruled!

SPEAKER: Hon. Jeffery W. Cavender

Lunch
Registrants only (included in registration fee)

Structuring Bankruptcy Plans in a Post-Purdue World - The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma sent shockwaves through the restructuring community with its ruling that the Bankruptcy Code does not permit non-consensual third-party releases—a tool that practitioners have been using (and maybe abusing?) for many years.  This panel will examine the Purdue ruling (and where the Purdue bankruptcy case has gone since then), discuss the numerous rulings that have arisen post-Purdue on the topic of what constitutes “consent” for purposes of a consensual release, and provide practical advice around structuring plans in a manner that expands the protections available under the Bankruptcy Code without running afoul of Purdue.

Best Practices in Commercial Real Estate Restructurings - The combination of higher interest rates, more employees working from home, and the continuing struggles of the brick-and-mortar retail industry has led to a significant increase in the number of commercial real estate bankruptcies and restructurings. This panel of experienced real estate-focused restructuring professionals will provide practical strategic advice to practitioners who have seen their real estate workout case load recently increase.

Chapter 13 Hidden Bombs - That Chapter 13 you filed was supposed to be simple. But what landmines stand between you and the end of the case? Insurance proceeds, tax refunds, life insurance proceeds, lottery winnings, and other “windfalls” can create confusion about where the money goes. This panel will help you learn how to deactivate these bombs.

SPEAKERS: Laurie K. Weatherford & Mary Beth Ausbrooks

Hot Off the Presses: The Annual Case Law Update, Part I - This panel will teach you all about the latest cases in the world of consumer bankruptcy. You’ll feel like you’ve read all the advance sheets. Don’t miss it!

SPEAKERS: Ronald R. Peterson & Sabrina L. McKinney

Hot Off the Presses: The Annual Case Law Update, Part II - You didn’t think they could do it all in an hour, did you? Don’t miss part two of the all-important consumer bankruptcy caselaw update.

SPEAKERS: Ronald R. Peterson & Sabrina L. McKinney

We’ve Struck Gold: Post-Petition Appreciation of Value - House prices aren’t rising faster than helium these days, but post-petition appreciation in property of the estate can still create problems in your case. This panel will help you effectively navigate the problem of having more money than you did when you started your case.

SPEAKERS: Laurie K. Weatherford & Hon. Sage M. Sigler

Continental Breakfast
Registrants only (included in registration fee)

Professionalism Credit - Can You Negotiate Your Way Out of a Paper Bag? - Negotiation is a necessary part of any legal practice, no matter who you represent. But the way you go about it can have a huge impact on how things turn out for your client. They say that with the best settlements both parties are equally unhappy, but this hour might help your client be just a little bit happier than their opponent. Don’t miss it!

SPEAKER: Chuck Lyons

SubChapter V, V years later - We’ve been doing these cases since February of 2020, but how has the emerging body of law impacted the practice over the last five years? This panel includes a Judge, a Trustee, and an Assistant United States Trustee, and together they will give you the tools you need to make the V stand for Victory!

11:15 - 12:35

BREAKOUT
SESSIONS

Lunch
Registrants only (included in registration fee)

Navigating Restaurant Restructurings - With the tightening of consumer spending and the significant increase of cost of goods and labor, 2024 was a brutal year for many restaurant chains and saw many of them (Red Lobster, TGI Fridays, etc.) make their way through chapter 11 and even more restructured outside of court. This panel will discuss the particular challenges that arise when attempting to restructure a restaurant chain, as well as provide practical advice on the steps practitioners can take to effectively address those challenges.

SPEAKERS: Paul J. Labov, Jonathan Tibus & Teri Stratton

Refreshment Break
Registrants only (included in registration fee)

Healthcare Restructuring Trends - Although 2024 large healthcare bankruptcies decreased around 25% from a five-year high in 2023, there is still meaningful distress and financial headwinds in the healthcare sector due to numerous factors, including high interest rates affecting capital markets, heightened antitrust scrutiny, cost hikes, labor shortages, stagnating payer rate increases, Medicare Advantage denials, and Medicaid enrollment disruptions. This panel will examine the various sectors of the healthcare industry that have seen an increase in distress activity, as well as provide an overview of some of the trends they have observed in restructuring these troubled situations.

SPEAKERS: David E. Gordon, Neal F. Luria & Hon. Paul M. Baisier

“I gotta have my car” – Till in 2025 - A lot of consumer cases are driven by the Debtor’s need for a car, so you’re going to need to know how to handle vehicle issues. How is Till affecting interest rates in 2025? What issues are there around reaffirmations? Does redeeming or reaffirming make more sense? What’s the best way to do that? Don’t miss this panel or you might get pulled over without the information you need!

SPEAKER: Hon. Lisa Ritchey Craig

Rising from the Ashes – Rehabbing your Credit Report after your Discharge - Your client’s credit is trashed, so you know their number one question after they get that discharge is about how can they rehabilitate their credit. Do you know the answer to that question? This Equifax representative will give us a crash course on how bankruptcy impacts credit scores and, more importantly, how your client can rise from the economic ashes of his bankruptcy case.

SPEAKER: Vince Pileggi

The Power Behind the Bench – Law Clerk Panel - We all know the law clerks are an integral part of the court system. This panel of bankruptcy and district court clerks will give you a peek behind the curtain and give you some insights on how to avoid irritating the judge!

Get Out of My House v. I’ve Gotta Have a Place to Live - Landlord Tenant Issues - A dispossessory action is the impetus for many a bankruptcy. The landlord wants their apartment back, and the Debtor’s got no place to go. This panel will address the push/pull of landlord tenant issues in bankruptcy and will help you handle all the thorny residential lease issues that arise.