about ncbj education sessions
Wednesday, October 19
Trial Skills Workshop co-sponsored by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and the American Bankruptcy Institute
8:00 am – 4:00 pm | United States Bankruptcy Court – Middle District of Florida
An intense trial skills program for attorneys with fewer than 10 years of experience. Participants will conduct mock trials based on a hypothetical problem before a faculty consisting of all bankruptcy judges. The courtroom performance of each participant will be filmed and critiqued. Due to limited capacity, eligible attorneys must apply by no later than May 15, 2022.
Faculty:
Hon. Denise E. Barnett
(Bankr. W.D. Tenn.)
Memphis, TN
Hon. Suzanne H. Bauknight
(Bankr. E.D. Tenn.)
Knoxville, TN
Hon. Kevin J. Carey (ret.)
Hogan Lovells US, LLP
Philadelphia, PA
Hon. Jeffery Cavender
(Bankr. N.D. Ga.)
Atlanta, GA
Hon. Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark
(Bankr. D. Md.)
Greenbelt, MD
Hon. Scott W. Dales
(Bankr. W.D. Mich.)
Grand Rapids, MI
Hon. Michael A. Fagone
(Bankr. D. Me.)
Bangor, ME
Hon. William J. Fisher
(Bankr. D. Minn.)
St. Paul, MN
Elisabetta G. Gasparini
Office of the U.S. Trustee
Columbia, SC
Hon. David S. Jones
(Bankr. S.D.N.Y.)
New York, NY
Hon. Lori V. Vaughan
(Bankr. M.D. Fla.)
Orlando, FL
Hon. Mary F. Walrath
(Bankr. D. Del.)
Wilmington, DE
Coordinator:
Michelle M. Wilson
Clerk of Court
(Bankr. W.D. Mich.)
Grand Rapids, MI
Thursday, October 20
Bankruptcy Boom or Bust – How Far Is Too Far and Is the Day of Reckoning Here?
8:45 – 9:45 am | Palms Ballroom: Sago & Sabal
Are the bankruptcy pros zealously advancing the economic interests of their clients or pushing the edge of the envelope past the point of no return with long-term consequences that could permanently change the course of bankruptcy cases? Join our advanced panel of academic, legal and judicial experts to find out!
Moderator:
Hon. Elaine Hammond
(Bankr. N.D. Cal.)
San Jose, CA
Speakers:
Debra Grassgreen
Pachulski, Stang, Ziehl & Jones
San Francisco, CA
Prof. Melissa B. Jacoby
UNC School of Law
Chapel Hill, NC
Jamila J. Willis
DLA Piper, LLP
New York, NY
Arbitration and Bankruptcy - You Got Questions, We Got Answers presented by the American Bankruptcy Law Journal, American Bar Association and American College of Bankruptcy
10:15 – 11:30 am | Palms Ballroom: Sago & Sabal
Have a burning question about an arbitration clause or its application in a bankruptcy case? This is your opportunity to have that question answered by four professors who have written articles and amicus briefs on the subject. The panel will provide their thoughts on emerging issues at the intersection of arbitration and bankruptcy law (which may soon end up before the Supreme Court) and will be prepared to answer your questions. They often will disagree. Sometimes, one of them will be right.
Moderator:
Hon. Michelle M. Harner
(Bankr. D. Md.)
Baltimore, MD
Speakers:
Prof. Kara J. Bruce
Univ. of Toledo College of Law
Toledo, OH
Prof. Anthony J. Casey
Univ. of Chicago Law School
Chicago, IL
Prof. Robert M. Lawless
Univ. of Illinois College of Law
Champaign, IL
Prof. Stephen J. Ware
Univ. of Kansas Law School
Lawrence, KS
Five Secrets to a Magical Sub-V
10:15 – 11:30 am | Palms Ballroom: Canary 1 & 2
Behold, ye intrepid bankruptcy apprentices, as our panel takes you away to the magical world of Subchapter V! During this program, ye shall learn the five essential secrets to conjuring a successful small business reorganization. Is your client "eligible?" The Subchapter V trustee: friend, foe, or something cloaked in disguise? Demonstrate feasibility and build consensus. Devise your remedies. And solve the enigmas of Sub-V bankruptcies.
Moderator:
Hon. Catherine P. McEwen
(Bankr. M.D. Fla.)
Tampa, FL
Speakers:
Amy Denton Mayer
Stichter Riedel Blain Postler PA
Tampa, FL
David A. Mawhinney
Bowditch & Dewey, LLP
Framingham, MA
Elizabeth B. Vandesteeg
Levenfeld Pearlstein
Chicago, IL
The Devastating Impact of the Opioid Crisis featuring Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Eric Eyre
11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Palm Ballroom: Sago & Sabal
The opioid crisis has infiltrated every geographic region of the United States, causing an extraordinary loss of life and well-being, ripping at the social fabric of local communities, and exacting an unprecedented economic toll. Eric Eyre, the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of Death in Mud Lick, will be joined by Professor Patrick McGinley from the West Virginia University College of Law, in an emotional and eye-opening discussion regarding the devastation experienced so many.
Moderator:
Hon. Beth Buchanan
(Bankr. S.D. Ohio)
Cincinnati, OH
Speakers:
Eric W. Eyre
Mountain State Spotlight
Charleston, WV
Prof. Patrick McGinley
West VA Univ. College of Law
Morgantown, WV
Passing the Gavel – Demystifying the Judicial Appointment Process
1:45 – 3:15 pm | Grand Ballroom 7 A
Federal judges from all circuits will discuss their unique paths to the bench to demystify the appointment process and encourage the next generation to pursue a career with the judiciary. This program begins with a moderated panel discussion focused on the judicial application process and background screening; thereafter, program attendees and more than thirty judges will break into roundtable formats where the judges will have the opportunity to share personal stories about their career paths and answer any questions from the attendees. This program requires advanced registration.
Moderator:
Hon. Laurel M. Isicoff
(Bankr. S.D. Fla.)
Miami, FL
Speakers:
Hon. Adalberto Jordan
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Miami, FL
Hon. Diane P. Wood
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Chicago, IL
Circuit Breakout Sessions
These entertaining panels will engage in a rapid-fire discussion of several of the hot topics and challenging issues currently confronted by courts and professionals within the designated circuit. The programs are designed to be interactive, meaning that the audience is encouraged to not only ask questions, but also share any thoughts and comments. After the programs, attendees will have an opportunity to socialize with the judges and other professionals in attendance. All conference attendees, not just those residing in a particular circuit, are invited to the program of their choice.
Five circuit breakouts will be held on Thursday, October 20, with another four to follow on Friday, October 21
Third Circuit
3:30 - 5:00 pm | Crystal Ballroom G1
Moderator:
Tobey M. Daluz
Ballard Spahr, LLP
Wilmington, DE
Speakers:
Hon. Jeffery A. Deller
(Bankr. W.D. Pa.)
Pittsburgh, PA
Hon. Christine Gravelle
(Bankr. D.N.J.)
Trenton, NJ
Hon. Patricia M. Mayer
(Bankr. E.D. Pa.)
Reading, PA
Hon. Karen B. Owens
(Bankr. D. Del.)
Wilmington, DE
Fourth and D.C. Circuits
3:30 - 5:00 pm | Crystal Ballroom DEF
Moderator:
Hon. Rebecca Connelly
(Bankr. W.D.Va.)
Harrisonburg, VA
Speakers:
Hon. Elizabeth L. Gunn
(Bankr. D.D.C.)
Washington, D.C.
Hon. Pamela W. McAfee
(Bankr. E.D.N.C.)
Raleigh, NC
Hon. B. McKay Mignault
(Bankr. S.D.W.Va.)
Charleston, WV
Hon. David W. Warren
(Bankr. E.D.N.C.)
Raleigh, NC
Fifth Circuit
3:30 - 5:00 pm | Grand Ballroom 7 B
Moderator:
Hon. Marvin Isgur
(Bankr. S.D. Tex.)
Houston, TX
Speakers:
Hon. Meredith S. Grabill
(Bankr. E.D. La.)
New Orleans, LA
Hon. David R. Jones
(Bankr. S.D. Tex.)
Houston, TX
Hon. Christopher M. Lopez
(Bankr. S.D. Tex.)
Houston, TX
Sixth and Seventh Circuits
3:30 - 5:00 pm | Palms Ballroom: Canary 3 & 4
Moderator:
Timothy F. Nixon
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Green Bay, WI
Speakers:
Hon. Rachel M. Blise
(Bankr. E.D. Wis.)
Milwaukee, WI
Hon. Carol A. Doyle
(Bankr. N.D. Ill.)
Chicago, IL
Hon. Lisa S. Gretchko
(Bankr. E.D. Mich.)
Detroit, MI
Hon. Mina Nami Khorrami
(Bankr. S.D. Ohio)
Columbus, OH
Eighth and Tenth Circuits
3:30 - 5:00 pm | Crystal Ballroom AB
Moderator:
Hon. Anita L. Shodeen
(Bankr. S.D. Iowa)
Des Moines, IA
Speakers:
Hon. Brian T. Fenimore
(Bankr. W.D. Mo.)
Kansas City, MO
Hon. Mitchell L. Herren
(Bankr. D. Kan.)
Wichita, KS
Hon. Kesha L. Tanabe
(Bankr. D. Minn.)
St. Paul, MN
Hon. Kimberley H. Tyson
(Bankr. D. Colo.)
Denver, CO
Friday, October 21
Briefing and Arguing Technical Bankruptcy Appeals Before the Supreme Court and Circuit Courts
8:45 – 10:00 am | Palms Ballroom: Sago & Sabal
Disputes in bankruptcy cases often turn on technical issues of bankruptcy law that require some background understanding of a detailed statute. This program will feature a panel of appellate experts discussing their experience and providing insight regarding how bankruptcy appeals can successfully be briefed and argued to the generalist Supreme Court and circuit courts of appeal.
Moderator:
Hon. Madeleine C. Wanslee
(Bankr. D. Ariz.)
Phoenix, AZ
Speakers:
Hon. Diane P. Wood
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Chicago, IL
Prof. Daniel J. Bussel
UCLA School of Law
Los Angeles, CA
Paul Clement
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Washington, D.C.
Daniel L. Geyser
Haynes Boone, LLP
Denver, CO
The Role of International Courts and Forums in Insolvency Dispute Resolution - Past, Present, and Future
10:30 - 11:30am | Crystal K L
International courts have long had a role to play in dispute resolution when enterprises are in financial distress. Increasingly, this role now includes forums, rules, and jurists with special expertise in this important area. This panel will address how these courts and other forums have evolved, and what the future may hold.
Circuit Breakout Sessions
First and Second Circuits
3:30 - 5:00 pm | Palms Ballroom: Canary 3 & 4
Moderator:
Hon. Michael A. Fagone
(Bankr. D. Me.)
Bangor, ME
Speakers:
Hon. Lisa G. Beckerman
(Bankr. S.D.N.Y.)
New York, NY
Hon. Heather Z. Cooper
(Bankr. D. Vt.)
Burlington, VT
Hon. David S. Jones
(Bankr. S.D.N.Y.)
New York, NY
Hon. Elizabeth D. Katz
(Bankr. D. Mass.)
Springfield, MA
Hon. Jil Mazer-Marino
(Bankr. E.D.N.Y.)
Brooklyn, NY
Ninth Circuit
3:30 - 5:00 pm | Palms Ballroom: Canary 1 & 2
Moderator:
Hon. Sheri A. Bluebond
(Bankr. C.D. Cal.)
Los Angeles, CA
Speakers:
Hon. Joseph M. Meier
(Bankr. D. Id.)
Boise, ID
Hon. Teresa H. Pearson
(Bankr. D. Or.)
Portland, OR
Hon. Magdalena Reyes Bordeaux
(Bankr. C.D. Cal.)
Riverside, CA
Hon. Gary A. Spraker
(Bankr. D. Alaska)
Anchorage, AK
Eleventh Circuit
3:30 - 5:00 pm | Crystal Ballroom J 2 (enter thru Crystal M)
Moderator:
Paul J. Battista
Genovese Joblove Battista PA
Miami, FL
Speakers:
Hon. Jacob A. Brown
(Bankr. M.D. Fla.)
Jacksonville, FL
Hon. Scott M. Grossman
(Bankr. S.D. Fla.)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hon. Bess M. Parish Creswell
(Bankr. M.D. Ala.)
Montgomery, AL
Hon. Sage M. Sigler
(Bankr. N.D. Ga.)
Atlanta, GA
Saturday, October 22
A Muggle Ride on the Ethics Express: Ethics Still? Always
8:30 – 9:45 am | Palms Ballroom: Royal (breakfast room)
Wake up on Saturday morning for a magical and interactive ethics presentation. Led by our Ethics Headmaster and Minister of Ethical Arts, participants will be sorted into Ethics Houses, each with a Judicial Wizard to help them compete for the coveted Ethics House Cup. Ethical scenarios from recent decisions will be dramatized by NextGen and Blackshear alumni and each house will be tasked with working together to analyze and vote on the outcome. Climb aboard at Platform 9 ¾ for a magical 1¼ hour of ethics. Robes and wands welcome, but not required.
Moderators:
Hon. Sims Crawford
(Bankr. N.D. Ala.)
Birmingham, AL
Hon. Elizabeth L. Gunn
(Bankr. D.D.C.)
Washington, D.C.
Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit, a documentary film presented in connection with NCBJ's Behind the Bench.
8:30 – 9:45 am | Palms Ballroom: Sago
Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit, winner of the 2021 Library of Congress/Ken Burns Prize for Film, was researched and produced over a six-year period by Sam Katz. The film features interviews with dozens of creditors and impacted residents and retirees, many of whom are speaking about this groundbreaking case for the first time. Continuing the discussion of Detroit's historic Chapter 9 case, featured as part of NCBJ's Behind the Bench virtual series earlier this year, Mr. Katz, a former public finance advisor, will present excerpts from the film, take questions from the audience and provide further insights regarding the complexity and controversies that characterized this story.
Moderator:
Eyal Berger
Akerman LLP
Ft Lauderdale, FL
Speaker:
Sam Katz
Producer/Director
The Role of a Bankruptcy Judge
10:15 – 11:15 am | Palms Ballroom: Sago
What is the role of a bankruptcy judge? Everyone has an opinion, but does anyone truly know? Four bankruptcy judges with sometimes consistent, and other times divergent, views on the role they play will be on display during this fireside chat plenary to bring the annual meeting to a close.
Moderator:
Christine A. Okike
Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
New York, NY
Speakers:
Hon. Ashely M. Chan
(Bankr. E.D. Pa.)
Philadelphia, PA
Hon. Robert D. Drain
(Bankr. S.D.N.Y.)
White Plains, NY
Hon. Harlin D. Hale
(Bankr. N.D. Tex.)
Dallas, TX
Hon. Jeffery P. Hopkins
(Bankr. S.D. Ohio)
Cincinnati, OH
