Education Schedule

Schedule is subject to change until complete.
All registrants for the NCBJ Annual Conference are entitled to attend and request CLE/CPE Credit for all educational programs, including those of any of the affiliates. However, in order to receive CLE credit for ABA Educational programs, you must pay a separate fee.

Thursday, September 18
TimeEventDescriptionSpeakers
8:45 AMNCBJ: Judges’ Feud, an East Coast vs. West Coast Battle to Interpret Circuit SplitsJudge Shannon and his trusty expert, Professor Baird, host a feud between six contestant judges from East and West of the Mississippi taking sides on circuit splits.   Hon. Brendan Shannon;
Prof. Douglas Baird; et al.
10:30 AMNCBJ: Strategies for Assisting Your Clients in the Aftermath of a DisasterThis panel will explore the best strategies and tools for rehabilitating businesses and lives following a disaster, considering options such as FEMA, SBA and insurance.Hon. Catherine McEwen;
Debra Grassgreen;
Michelle Zaltsberg;
Joseph Mascali
10:30 AMNCBJ: The James H.M. Sprayregen Professor of Law Challenges James H.M. Sprayregen on the Latest Hot TopicsJames H.M. Sprayregen argues current bankruptcy issues with James H.M. Sprayregen Professor of Law at the University of Illinois College of Law, Ralph Brubaker.Hon. Michelle M. Harner; James H.M. Sprayregen; Prof. Ralph Brubaker
10:30 AMNCBJ: Elder Insolvency On the Rise: Colliding Social and Economic ForcesThe panel will examine the implications of insolvency among the fixed income seniors facing predatory practices, rising healthcare costs, debt consolidation, and bankruptcy relief.Hon. Meridith S. Grabill; David Cox; Jeffrey Fraser; Ben Weller
11:45 AMNCBJ: Getting Down and Dirty: A Discussion of the Subchapter V Practice Beyond the BasicsFive years into Subchapter-V, it has become a go-to tool for small business debtors. This panel will discuss the emerging issues facing practitioners and the court and facilitate an interactive forum to discuss strategies that have and have not worked to address those issues.Hon. Grace Robson; Adam R. Prescott; Neema Varghese; Ciara L. Rogers
11:45 AMNCBJ: Commercial Real Estate – A Discussion of Legal and Business Solutions to Persisting DistressThe Post-COVID commercial real estate recovery is slow and uneven and distress is predicted to peak in 2026. The panel will explore emerging business and legal trends and strategies that affect all players in the commercial real estate space, including borrowers, investors, lenders, asset managers, landlords, tenants, and strategic acquirers.   Hon. Alfredo R. Perez; Neil Aaronson; Jason DeJonker; Oksana Koltko Rosaluk
11:45 AMABA: Governmental Approval of Bankruptcy Sales and RestructuringsTBDTBD
12:45 PMABA Luncheon: Liability Management Exercises and Treatment in BankruptcyTBDTBD
12:45 PMCLLA Luncheon: Detecting Corporate Psychopaths*Learn about unique characteristics corporate psychopaths use to deceive and manipulate victims and techniques and tips to help detect lying and withstand manipulation.Kathy Bazoian Phelps
12:45 PMAIRA Luncheon: Other Roles in the Bankruptcy Process – Trustees, Examiners, Why Not Special Masters?TBDTBD
3:00 PMNCBJ: We Live in Interesting Times: All things Supreme Court with Prof. ChemerinskyA discussion of all things Supreme Court, from decisions that impact bankruptcy judges and practitioners to court procedures to evolving constitutional jurisprudence.Hon. Pamela Pepper, Prof. Erwin Chemerinsky
3:00 PMABA: Bankruptcy Exceptionalism? Limits on Equity Powers and Jury Trial Rights Following JareskyTBDTBD
3:00 PMCLLA: Crime and Punishment: Ethical Quandaries in Insolvency ProceedingsFrank Kroger Memorial Education ProgramProf. Nancy B. Rapoport; Prof. Veronica J. Finkelstein; Robert J. Cleary
Friday, September 19
TimeEventDescriptionSpeakers
9:00 AMNCBJ: Smarter Than Ever: The Potential and Perils of Artificial IntelligenceJoin us for an engaging fireside chat exploring the fascinating history and rapid development of AI. Attendees will gain insights into how AI works, the AI arms race, the challenges faced by certain players leading to inevitable failure, and the phenomenon of AI hallucinations. The discussion will also highlight the potential for AI to enhance efficiency and identify the ethical dilemmas it presents for the legal and business industries.Hon. Daniel P. Collins; HP Newquist; Hon. Katherine B. Forrest
10:30 AMNCBJ: Treatment of Merchant Credit Agreements in BankruptcyWhat is a Merchant Credit Agreement? MCAs take on different forms. Court opinions are giving some clarity, but there is still much to learn and decide.TBD
10:30 AMABA: Treatment of Merchant Credit Agreements in BankruptcyWhat is a Merchant Credit Agreement? MCAs take on different forms. Court opinions are giving some clarity, but there is still much to learn and decide.TBD
10:30 AMABI: Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors May Soon Go UniformThis panel of Study Committee members discusses the Uniform Law Commission’s plans to publish its draft and recommendations for a model act for Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors. Erwin Smith; Patricia Redmond; Geoff Berman; Rob Saunders; Laura Coordes
10:30 AMABI: Swimming in the Deep End of the Privilege Pool (Life Jackets May Be Required)Dive into the deep end of the privilege pool to explore complex privilege topics, including joint defense and common interests, mediation discussions, and the Fifth Amendment. Hon. Hannah Blumenstiel; Mark Moore; Robert Eisenbach; Christina Sanfelippo; Kaitlin Walsh
11:45 AMABA: Pro Bono ServicesTBDTBD
11:45 AMABI: Top [10] Rochelle Daily Wire’s No One is Talking Enough AboutBill and some esteemed “judicial influencers” break through the Daily Wire algorithm and highlight key legal developments form the past year that need a second chance at a viral moment.Bill Rochelle; et al.
11:45 AMABI: Collapsing the Single Member/Stockholder EntityThis panel explores challenges to certain corporate forms when the individual sole member or stockholder attempts to restructure through chapter 13 or Subchapter V. TBD
12:45 PMNCBJ: Keynote Lunch PresentationNPR’s Chief Economics Correspondent discusses the current economy, where we are going, and tips for presenting financial information to courts and other users.Scott Horsley, NPR
3:00 PMNCBJ: Ferris Bueller’s Day in Court – Navigating Evidence ConundrumsNavigate changes to the FRE and Admissibility Issues with Ferris as he faces the consequences of his actions in the Windy City Bankruptcy Court after that infamous “Day Off” .Hon. Scott M. Grossman; James V. Block; L. Todd Budgen; Daniel A. Velasquez
3:00 PMNCBJ: Finding Hidden Treasure: Recovery of Assets Located AbroadA panel of experts explores challenges and opportunities for identifying and recovering estate assets that are located abroad.Hon. David S. Jones; Greg Grossman; Thomas J. Abernathy; Sharon Cohen Levin
Saturday, September 20
TimeEventDescriptionSpeakers
8:30 AMNCBJ: Name That Tune – Ethics EditionAn overview of some of the most important ethical issues (and rules) you need to master, presented in a fun game show format with some “famous” musicians nee judges. Hon. Mark X. Mullin; Hon. H. Christopher Mott; Hon. Stacey G.C. Jernigan; Todd Headden; Bach W. Norwood
9:45 AMNCBJ: Cryptocurrencies and Other Digital Assets: the Intersection of UCC Art. 12 and BankruptcyOur panel of experts will answer common questions, dispel common misconceptions, and explain what you need to know about new UCC Article 12 and related amendments.Hon. Lisa G. Beckerman;
Erwin E. Smith;
Carla L. Reyes
9:45 AMNCBJ: Mortgage Loan PotpourriThe panel discusses mortgage debt in consumer bankruptcy cases, including online banking and compliance and the nuances of a new loss mitigation program.Hon. Cynthia A. Norton;
Kelly M. Barnhart;
Michael J. McCormick;
Michael Bates
11:00 AMNCBJ: Judicial RoundtableTake the opportunity to sit in small groups with bankruptcy court judges from around the country to discuss current legal and procedural issues.Judges

*No CLE offered.