Welcome and Opening Remarks: Chief Judge John Kolwe (WDLA)

A discussion of recent national and circuit court decisions of note to Bankruptcy practitioners. Topics to include cases on reorganization, consumer bankruptcy, municipal debt adjustment, cross-border insolvency and numerous subtopics of each. 

The discussion will focus on an explanation of what is a merchant cash advance agreement, and whether the agreement is really a loan against future receivables, or the sale of future receivables.  The panel will offer insight on why distressed companies are opting to enter into MCA agreements, and why cases are seeing an up-tick.  The presentation will also discuss, now that you have a client in bankruptcy that has pre-petition MCA agreements, what are the options for dealing with the agreement, and how to treat MCA claims inside a plan of reorganization, including reserving potential causes of action against the MCA.

A look at the energy sector as it relates to debt and bankruptcy from an expert in energy investment banking.

Consumer Caselaw Update - update of Chapter 7 and 13 consumer bankruptcy opinions from the past year 

Recent updates to BK Rule 3002.1 go into effect on December 1, 2024.  Along with the revised forms, the changes will have an impact on the on-going and end of case processes in Chapter 13.

The panel will engage in a discussion regarding the difficulties faced by a debtor-in-possession when the case-related circumstances or financial wherewithal restrict the ability to run a full marketing, bidding and sales process, including those cases in which retention of an investment banker is not feasible.

This presentation will include a panel with Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Louisiana and three of Louisiana's newly appointed Chapter 13 Trustees. During the presentation, we will cover different policies, procedures and court precedent in Chapter 13 practice and the Chapter 13 Trustee's office.

Provide a foundational overview of D&O insurance, SIRs, and bonds, focusing on issues arising in chapters 7 & 11 bankruptcy cases, including strategies for supplementing existing policies to protect CROs and board members.  The panel should also be prepared to talk about legal principals and practical strategies related to prosecution and defense of breach-of-fiduciary claims.  Of interest, as an example, are experiences and perspectives on serving as counsel corporate debtors to accomplish bankruptcy goals which means having to work with current management who may be targets of post-confirmation D&O litigation.

A discussion of recent national and circuit court decisions of note to Bankruptcy practitioners. Topics to include cases on reorganization, consumer bankruptcy, municipal debt adjustment, cross-border insolvency and numerous subtopics of each. 

This comprehensive CLE presentation addresses evidentiary objections in bankruptcy bench trials, emphasizing the strategic differences from jury trials and the critical importance of the "KISS Principle"—keeping objections short, specific, and timely. The presentation covers Federal Rule of Evidence 103 requirements for appellate preservation, authentication challenges for electronic evidence, and the procedural distinctions between adversary proceedings and contested matters. Practitioners will learn best practices for pre-trial resolution of evidentiary disputes, proper use of continuing objections and offers of proof, and chapter-specific evidentiary requirements for Chapters 7, 11, and 13 cases. The program concludes with practical guidance on professional development and mentorship, advocating a progressive "training wheels" approach that allows associates to develop courtroom skills at their own pace while building the next generation of skilled bankruptcy practitioners.

This session will be a flash lesson on debits, credits, balance sheets, income statements and amortization schedules.  

The ethical issues related to employment of estate professionals

Conference wrap-up with bankruptcy topic speed round