Texas

An issue consistently raised during the course of the Consumer Bankruptcy Fee Study was the effect of higher bankruptcy costs and the cumbersome and time-consuming bankruptcy process on distributions to unsecured creditors. Given that increasing creditor distributions was a reason for BAPCPA’s enactment, that this question was ripe for exploration. Prof. Lupica will present the findings of her study and the panel will discuss.

"Past President's Debate:
Resolved: The chapter 11 model is no longer viable for middle-market businesses.

Consumer Debate:
Resolved: Section 523(a)(8) should be repealed or amended to allow for the discharge of all student loan debts.

Judicial Debate:
Resolved: Section 546(e) does not apply to each and every link in a chain of transactions resulting in a ""settlement payment"" that is protected by the safe harbor provisions."

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has promulgated pervasive and dramatic new requirements on servicers, effective Jan. 10, 2014, to provide detailed and accurate information regarding a borrower’s mortgage and options to avoid foreclosure. The rules amending both TILA and RESPA are filled with liability traps for the unwary, including several provisions that conflict with bankruptcy law. At a minimum, the rules will require servicers to implement significant new software, compliance training and procedures to limit legal exposure. Learn from insiders what you need to advise clients.

With the economic challenges over the past five years, the lending landscape has changed dramatically. The boundaries for commercial and alternative lenders have changed, and borrowers’ options for financing are continuing to develop. Learn what commercial and alternative lenders can (and cannot) do for a borrower and how financing structures have become more creative to fit the needs of borrowers.

Presented by ABI, TMA (Chesapeake),
IWIRC (D.C./Maryland) and RMA (Potomac).

ABI’s panel of experts will discuss the ethical and compensation issues that can arise while representing chapter 7 and 13 debtors as well as individual chapter 11 debtors. Topics covered include client fraud and an attorney’s duty to verify client information, attorney fee structures, and complex issues in individual chapter 11 cases. The panel includes perspectives from the attorneys and trustees, as well as the academic reporter for the ABI Ethics Task Force.