South Carolina

This panel will explore the eligibility of small businesses to file under the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA) and the benefits of doing so, along with recent developments and hot topics in this area of the law. The panelists will also discuss Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and whether these loans count toward debt ceilings (is it debt or a grant?), as well as § 525, which prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from discriminating against debtors.

This session addresses when a bankruptcy court will accept jurisdiction and control of pending state court litigation upon the filing of a bankruptcy case by an involved party. Topics include removal, abstention, stay relief and remand, as well as the strategies and risks of filing bankruptcy in hopes of having a state court action removed to bankruptcy court.

Based on the "Ted Talks" format, presenters will address timely and divisive issues such as rejection of power purchase agreements, the future of oil and gas, venue alternatives and an analytical review of Bankruptcy Appellate Panels reversal and affirmances. 

Nellwyn Voorhies
Donlin, Recano & Company, Inc.; New York

Jurisdictional Battle: Bankruptcy Courts vs. FERC in Rejection of Power Purchase Agreements
Theodore E. Tsekerides
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; New York

Ninth Circuit as an Alternative to SDNY/Delaware
Tobias S. Keller

This panel will discuss options and issues surrounding distressed shopping centers, retail spaces, apartments, office buildings, and other distressed real estate assets, plus proactive planning for distressed real estate assets.

This panel will cover recent legislation and judicial decisions that have affected the consumer bankruptcy practice over the last year. Panelists will discuss the recent Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit decisions on consumer cases.