Product Description

MCLE’s flagship bankruptcy program, the 19th Annual New England Bankruptcy Law Conference 2017, features a Judicial Panel of eight bankruptcy judges from the Districts of Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont, as well as leading practitioners discussing the latest developments and trends in consumer and business bankruptcy practice. The four breakout sessions address a range of important topics, including: recharacterization of claims and substantive consolidation, the new uniform Chapter 13 plan, mechanics’ liens in bankruptcy, and dealing with “disappearing” exemptions. Customize the Conference by choosing the breakout sessions that best fit your practice. Get valuable perspective that only experience—and the Conference—can provide. Your time is valuable; let MCLE’s distinguished panelists quickly bring you up to speed on the latest developments essential to your practice.

Featuring

Eight New England Bankruptcy Court Judges

• Hon. Frank J. Bailey, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Boston
• Hon. Colleen A. Brown, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Burlington, VT
• Hon. Michael A. Fagone, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Portland, ME
• Hon. Joan N. Feeney, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Boston
• Hon. Diane Finkle, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Providence, RI
• Hon. Melvin S. Hoffman, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Boston
• Hon. Elizabeth D. Katz, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Springfield
• Hon. Christopher J. Panos, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Worcester

Agenda & Materials

• 1:00 pm–1:05 pm

  Welcome and Introduction

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Paul W. Carey, Esq., Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP , Worcester
  Jennifer V. Doran, Esq., Hinckley Allen LLP , Boston
  Donald R. Lassman, Esq., Law Office of Donald R. Lassman , Needham
  Leslie F. Su, Esq., Essex Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Lawrence
  
• 1:05 pm–2:20 pm

  Breakout Session I (choose one)
• Business Panel: Mechanics’ Liens in Bankruptcy

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Explore the intersection of bankruptcy law and state laws governing mechanics’ liens. Examine the “relation back” doctrine and learn how the wording of a state’s mechanics’ lien statute may determine whether a lienholder can preserve its rights in the event of a bankruptcy filing. Understand practical steps a lienholder can take in the event of a bankruptcy.

  Steven C. Reingold, Esq., Saul Ewing LLP , Boston
  Michael P. Sams, Esq., Kenney & Sams, PC , Southborough
  Michael J. Fencer, Esq., Casner & Edwards LLP , Boston
  
• or
• Consumer Panel: Dude, Where’s My Exemption? Disappearing Exemptions in Consumer Cases (webcast)

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Everyone knows the black letter law that exemptions are determined on the date that a bankruptcy case is commenced—but important exceptions are being carved out. Consumer lawyers must be aware of the exceptions to avoid a vanishing exemption and disappointed client. Explore recent cases under Sections 522(o), (p), and (q) which limit the scope of exemption claims, as well as cases discussing temporal and other statutory and contractual limitations on exemptions that can materialize after the case is filed and dramatically alter your client’s exemption landscape.

  David R. Chenelle, Esq., Perkins & Anctil, PC , Westford
  Adam J. Ruttenberg, Esq., Beacon Law Group LLC , Boston
  
• 2:20 pm–2:30 pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 2:30 pm–4:30 pm

  Judicial Panel

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Hon. Colleen A. Brown, U.S. Bankruptcy Court , Burlington
  Hon. Michael A. Fagone, U.S. Bankruptcy Court , Bangor
  Hon. Joan N. Feeney, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.); JAMS , Boston
  Hon. Diane Finkle, U.S. Bankruptcy Court , Providence
  Hon. Melvin S. Hoffman, U.S. Bankruptcy Court , Boston
  Hon. Elizabeth D. Katz, U.S. Bankruptcy Court , Springfield
  Hon. Christopher J. Panos, U.S. Bankruptcy Court , Worcester
  
• 4:30 pm–4:40 pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 4:40 pm–6:00 pm

  Breakout Session II (choose one)
• Business Panel: Debt Recharacterization and Treatment of Insider Claims

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Examine the treatment of insider claims in bankruptcy and the evolving doctrines of debt recharacterization and substantive consolidation. U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal have split concerning whether state or federal law creates the rule of decision for debt recharacterization. Two petitions are pending before the U.S. Supreme Court involving, (i) a case from the Fourth Circuit, in which the bankruptcy court recharacterized as equity arms-length bank debt that was purchased by an insider, and (ii) a case from the Ninth Circuit in which the bankruptcy court applied a state law rule of decision and allowed claims held by an insider. Hear a survey of recent First Circuit cases involving litigation and allowance or disallowance of insider claims, and substantive consolidation of related debtor and non-debtor entities.

  Charles A. Dale, III, Esq., K&L Gates LLP , Boston
  Jesse I. Redlener, Esq., Ascendant Law Group , Andover
  James M. Wilton, Esq.,
  
• or
• Consumer Panel: The New Uniform (or Not) Chapter 13 Plan (webcast)

  on demand video Add to Cart

  On December 1, 2017, amendments to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure take effect, and are expected to profoundly impact consumer bankruptcy cases. One of the most noteworthy changes is the required use of the Official Form Plan or, if a District opts out of the requirement, an Official Local Form Plan. Explore the new form plan for the District of Massachusetts, related rule changes, and traps for the unwary. The topics include: the impact of “non-standard” plan provisions, when a creditor must file a proof of claim, changes to the proof of claim bar dates, new deadlines related to plan confirmation and objections, and the rules for determining the amount of secured and priority claims.

  Patricia Antonelli, Esq., Salter McGowan Sylvia & Leonards, Inc. , Providence
  Wendy M. Mead, Esq., The Law Office of Wendy M. Mead , Worcester
  Denise M. Pappalardo, Esq., , Worcester
  
• 6:00 pm–6:30 pm

  Networking Reception for Faculty & Registrants

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochairs

Faculty