The Privacy Paradox: Transparency and Confidentiality in Bankruptcy
Friday, October 9th, 2026 – 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Moderator:
Hon. Brian Walsh
Speakers:
Brad Knapp
Elise Frejka
Abigail Ryan
Description:
Privacy issues are now pervasive in business bankruptcy cases. The goals of maximizing the value of the estate and transparency in the bankruptcy process are not always consistent with the desire to protect information personal to customers and creditors of the debtor. The panel will address the sale of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including biological information, collected by a debtor in its business and developing practices in the large-scale redaction of PII of creditors, tort victims, and alleged tortfeasors in documents filed with the court.
Bios:
Brian Walsh has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri since January 2023. Before taking the bench, he practiced for more than 25 years in Atlanta and St. Louis, principally in bankruptcy, restructuring, and related fields. He is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy.
Brad Knapp is a bankruptcy partner at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP in New Orleans, Louisiana. Brad has extensive experience in energy industry bankruptcies on the debtor, creditor, and committee side. Brad recently served as co-counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the bankruptcy case of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Abigail R. Ryan is Bankruptcy Counsel for the National Association of Attorneys General, advising and representing state and territorial attorneys general in complex governmental bankruptcies. With over 20 years of experience, including as a Texas Assistant Attorney General, she specializes in multi state matters involving consumer protection, environmental, and privacy issues. Ms. Ryan also oversees NAAG’s annual national bankruptcy conference.