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Overview

Consumer Bankruptcy Practice is an informative and informal conference that presents current developments and practical tips for bankruptcy attorneys and trustees, offers essential information on the Bankruptcy Code, and provides must-have written materials and resources for practitioners. This year’s highlights include:
  • A review of the recent rule changes, including tips you should know and traps you should avoid.
  • Insight from the Acting U.S. Trustee for Region 7 on topics such as the means test and debtor audits.
  • Audience voting on the “Sweet Sixteen” cases to include in your briefcase to take to hearings.
  • Advice on How to Claim, Attack, and Defend Exemptions, including the reasons behind exemptions and how to ensure creditors receive some payment.
  • Analysis of The Intersection of Bankruptcy and Criminal Law: From Bankruptcy Crimes to the Fifth Amendment.
  • Breakfast Breakout Sessions for each district, featuring casual discussion with district bankruptcy judges and Chapter 13 trustees.
  • Networking reception where attendees can connect with old colleagues and meet new ones.
Attendees will also receive additional on-demand programming to ensure they have the opportunity to meet their full 15.0/3.0 hours of required Texas MCLE.


Pro Bono Clinic - New This Year!

Join UT Law CLE, Lone Star Legal Aid, and the Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas for a pro bono clinic following the conference on Friday,  July 27 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about the services LSLA offers, and how attendees can use their training to make a difference in the community, and are encouraged to sign up to help a client in need of legal services.
 
Those who register and attend the clinic will receive a $100 discount off their registration for the conference. 

For more information about the clinic, contact Lone Star Legal Aid at (800) 733-8394 x1217. To register for the conference and the clinic (and to claim your $100 discount) contact UT Law CLE Customer Service at (512) 475-6700.

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Thursday Morning, July 26, 2018
    Presiding Officer:
    Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas - Dallas, TX
  • 7:30 am
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast. 

  • 8:20 am
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    1.00 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Case Law Update (Part I)
    Get an update on Fifth Circuit consumer bankruptcy cases from the past year.

    Hon. Marvin Isgur, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston, TX
    Brendon Singh, Corral Tran Singh LLP - Houston, TX

  • 9:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Reviewing Mortgage Claims and Notices in Chapter 13 Cases
    Review examples of common errors and issues in proofs of claims and Rule 3002.1 notices.

    Jessica L. Holt, Mackie Wolf Zientz & Mann, P.C. - Houston, TX
    Mayur M. Patel, Guzman Law Firm - Houston, TX
    Cristina Rodriguez, Keeling Law Firm - Houston, TX

  • 10:15 am
    Break

  • 10:30 am
    1.00 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    New National Rules: Tips, Traps, and Proper Service
    Examine the rule changes effective December 1, 2017, including tips you should know, traps you should avoid, and how to execute proper service.   

    Moderator:
    Hon. Marvin Isgur, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston, TX
    Panelist:
    Layla D. Milligan, Office of Deborah B. Langehennig, Chapter 13 Trustee - Austin, TX
    Cristina Rodriguez, Keeling Law Firm - Houston, TX

  • 11:30 am
    0.50 hr
    U.S. Trustee Update
    Hear updates on the means test, debtor audits, and various items of note.

    Henry G. Hobbs Jr., Acting U.S. Trustee Region 7, U.S. Department of Justice - Austin, TX

  • 12:00 pm
    0.50 hr
    Discharge and Dischargeability: The Sword and The Shield
    Explore the discharge and dischargeability of debts and actions to enforce the discharge injunction, with special attention to the discharge of student loans.

    Theodore O. "Thad" Bartholow III, Kellett & Bartholow, PLLC - Dallas, TX
    Julianne M. Parker, Fears Nachawati, PLLC - Dallas, TX

  • 12:30 pm
    Lunch On Your Own—Presentations Resume at 2:00 p.m.

  • Thursday Afternoon, July 26, 2018
    Presiding Officer:
    Hon. Craig A. Gargotta, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas - San Antonio, TX
  • 2:00 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    The Intersection of Bankruptcy and Criminal Law: From Bankruptcy Crimes to the Fifth Amendment
    Examine the facets of criminal law, which impact bankruptcy proceedings, including a review of bankruptcy-related crimes and the impact of parallel criminal and bankruptcy proceedings.
     

    Bill Mateja, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP - Dallas, TX
    John M. Vardeman, Office of The United States Trustee - Tyler, TX

  • 2:45 pm
    1.00 hr
    Case Law Madness
    Vote on the bracket to decide which "Sweet Sixteen" cases to keep in your briefcase for hearings.

    Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas - Dallas, TX
    Stephen G. Wilcox, Wilcox Law PLLC - Arlington, TX

  • 3:45 pm
    Break

  • 4:00 pm
    0.50 hr
    How to Claim, Attack, and Defend Exemptions
    Discuss how the use of exemptions in bankruptcy reorganizations are designed to aid the individual debtor in achieving a fresh start and protect certain property from the claims of creditors. Absent exemptions, a debtor could be rendered destitute by the claims of creditors. Whether applied to property owned at the time of filing, or acquired post-petition, exemptions are not a windfall; but drafted in a form to try and ensure that creditors receive some cash payments on their claims.

    David G. Peake, Chapter 13 Trustee - Houston, TX
    Susan Tran, Corral Tran Singh LLP - Houston, TX

  • 4:30 pm
    1.00 hr
    Chapter 13 Trustee Panel
    Hear representatives of each district tell it like it is in Chapter 13.

    Moderator:
    Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Carey D. Ebert, Chapter 13 Trustee - Plano, TX
    Heena Hirani, Office of the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee, Tom Powers - Dallas, TX
    Layla D. Milligan, Office of Deborah B. Langehennig, Chapter 13 Trustee - Austin, TX
    David G. Peake, Chapter 13 Trustee - Houston, TX

  • 5:30 pm
    Adjourn to Reception

  • Thursday Networking Reception (5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
    Join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres at a luau-themed reception with program faculty and attendees.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Friday Morning, July 27, 2018
    Presiding Officer:
    Hon. Marvin Isgur, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston, TX
  • 7:30 am
    Conference Room Opens
    Includes continental breakfast. 

  • 8:00 am
    1.25 hrs
    Breakfast Breakout Sessions
    Judges and trustees from each of Texas's four judicial districts and two from Louisiana meet with attendees and moderate a discussion on problems of local concern.

  • 9:15 am
    Break

  • 9:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Case Law Update (Part II)
    Get an update on Fifth Circuit consumer bankruptcy cases from the past year.

    Hon. Craig A. Gargotta, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas - San Antonio, TX
    Hon. Eduardo V. Rodriguez, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - McAllen, TX

  • 10:15 am
    0.50 hr
    Meet the New Judge in Texas
    Hear about policy, procedure, and perspective from one of the latest additions to the Texas bench.

    Moderator:
    Hon. Marvin Isgur, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston, TX
    Hon. Jeffrey P. Norman, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston, TX

  • 10:45 am
    Break

  • 11:00 am
    0.50 hr
    Traffic Jam: The Intersection of Community Property, Probate, and Bankruptcy
    Explore how community property law, probate law, and bankruptcy law interact.

    Brian T. Cumings, Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody - Austin, TX
    Elena Halachian-Kritzer, Kritzer Law Firm - Houston, TX

  • 11:30 am
    0.50 hr
    How to Help Your Clients Help Themselves in Chapter 7
    Brush up on the things you need to know to conduct a thorough and efficient Chapter 7 and protect your client’s discharge. Chapter 7 Trustees need information – Debtors' attorneys and their clients need to be ready to provide it. 

    Moderator:
    Théda W. Page, The Page Law Firm - Frisco, TX
    Panelists:
    Catherine Stone Curtis, Pulman, Cappuccio & Pullen LLP - McAllen, TX
    Robert Yaquinto Jr., Sherman & Yaquinto - Dallas, TX

  • 12:00 pm
    Pick Up Lunch
    Included in registration. 

  • Friday Afternoon, July 27, 2018
    Presiding Officer:
    Hon. Eduardo V. Rodriguez, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - McAllen, TX
  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:20 pm
    0.75 hr ethics
    Ethics in Bankruptcy Practice
    One of the state's preeminent ethics experts addresses bankruptcy and ethics in an entertaining presentation that should not be missed.

    Hon. Jeff Bohm, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston, TX

  • 1:05 pm
    Break

  • 1:20 pm
    0.50 hr
    Recent Developments in Home Equity Litigation
    Discuss the 2017 Constitutional Amendments and highlight what has changed. Also, take a look at Wood, Garofolo, and Alexander, whether there is a statute of limitations for equity loan violations, and if so, when does it start.

    Michael V. Baumer, Law Office of Michael Baumer - Austin, TX

  • 1:50 pm
    0.75 hr ethics
    Ethics Jeopardy
    Engage in a fun and informative Jeopardy style game with contestants answering questions about situations involving ethical dilemmas.

    Bryan C. Assink, Curtis Castillo PC - Dallas, TX
    Ryan J. Dove, Dove Law Firm, PLLC - Houston, TX

  • 2:35 pm
    0.50 hr
    Smackdown on Construction Trust Funds
    One legal titan will bite the (sheet rock) dust in this epic smackdown concerning construction trust funds, a denial of discharge, and a sale free and clear! 

    Moderator:
    Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Hon. Craig A. Gargotta, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas - San Antonio, TX
    Hon. Marvin Isgur, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston, TX

  • 3:05 pm
    Adjourn

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Bryan C. Assink

Curtis Castillo PC
Dallas, TX

Theodore O. "Thad" Bartholow III

Kellett & Bartholow, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Michael V. Baumer

Law Office of Michael Baumer
Austin, TX

Hon. Jeff Bohm

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Houston, TX

Brian T. Cumings

Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody
Austin, TX

Catherine Stone Curtis

Pulman, Cappuccio & Pullen LLP
McAllen, TX

Ryan J. Dove

Dove Law Firm, PLLC
Houston, TX

Carey D. Ebert

Chapter 13 Trustee
Plano, TX

Hon. Craig A. Gargotta

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
San Antonio, TX

Elena Halachian-Kritzer

Kritzer Law Firm
Houston, TX

Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
Dallas, TX

Heena Hirani

Office of the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee, Tom Powers
Dallas, TX

Henry G. Hobbs Jr.

Acting U.S. Trustee Region 7, U.S. Department of Justice
Austin, TX

Jessica L. Holt

Mackie Wolf Zientz & Mann, P.C.
Houston, TX

Hon. Marvin Isgur

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Houston, TX

Bill Mateja

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Dallas, TX

Layla D. Milligan

Office of Deborah B. Langehennig, Chapter 13 Trustee
Austin, TX

Hon. Jeffrey P. Norman

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Houston, TX

Théda W. Page

The Page Law Firm
Frisco, TX

Julianne M. Parker

Fears Nachawati, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Mayur M. Patel

Guzman Law Firm
Houston, TX

David G. Peake

Chapter 13 Trustee
Houston, TX

Cristina Rodriguez

Keeling Law Firm
Houston, TX

Hon. Eduardo V. Rodriguez

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
McAllen, TX

Brendon Singh

Corral Tran Singh LLP
Houston, TX

Susan Tran

Corral Tran Singh LLP
Houston, TX

John M. Vardeman

Office of The United States Trustee
Tyler, TX

Stephen G. Wilcox

Wilcox Law PLLC
Arlington, TX

Robert Yaquinto Jr.

Sherman & Yaquinto
Dallas, TX

Planning Committee

Hon. Tony M. Davis—Co-Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
Austin, TX

Hon. Douglas D. Dodd—Co-Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, LA

Hon. Craig A. Gargotta—Co-Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
San Antonio, TX

Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale—Co-Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
Dallas, TX

Hon. Marvin Isgur—Co-Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Houston, TX

Hon. Jeffrey P. Norman—Co-Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Houston, TX

Hon. Brenda T. Rhoades—Co-Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas
Plano, TX

Hon. Eduardo V. Rodriguez—Co-Chair

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
McAllen, TX

Deborah Salzberg—Director

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Diane S. Barron

Barron & Barron LLP
Plano, TX

Michael V. Baumer

Law Office of Michael Baumer
Austin, TX

Edgar J. Borrego

Tanzy & Borrego
El Paso, TX

Allison D. Byman

Hughes Watters Askanase, LLP
Houston, TX

Mark A. Castillo

Curtis | Castillo PC
Dallas, TX

Brian T. Cumings

Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody
Austin, TX

Carey D. Ebert

Chapter 13 Trustee
Plano, TX

Layla D. Milligan

Office of Deborah B. Langehennig, Chapter 13 Trustee
Austin, TX

Théda W. Page

The Page Law Firm
Frisco, TX

Julianne M. Parker

Fears Nachawati, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Mayur M. Patel

Guzman Law Firm
Houston, TX

David G. Peake

Chapter 13 Trustee
Houston, TX

Cristina Rodriguez

Keeling Law Firm
Houston, TX

Brendon Singh

Corral Tran Singh LLP
Houston, TX

Behrooz P. Vida

The Vida Law Firm
Bedford, TX

Stephen G. Wilcox

Wilcox Law PLLC
Arlington, TX

Sarah Darnell Wood

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
Austin, TX

Credit Info

MCLE Credit
A Texas MCLE Reporting Form will be included in your course materials. Please complete and return to the registration desk and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas, or you can self-report your credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided at the conference to keep for your records.  
At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  
At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Supreme Court of Louisiana Continuing Legal Education Committee within 30 days after the conference. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records.
At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.
Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State
If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state before taking the program to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.
Other Credit
The University of Texas School of Law is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

Delivery Method: Group-Live

To comply with NASBA Standards, attendees claiming CPE credit must sign in to verify attendance for each segment. Attendance sign-in sheets will be available at the registration desk. You will need your CPA license number to sign in. A CPE Certificate of Completion will be provided at the conclusion of the conference.

Reporting: CPAs are responsible for reporting CPE credits earned to their state's accountancy board, and must retain appropriate documentation of their participation in learning activities. Visit your state’s reporting website for more information or www.nasba.org.
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion at the conference for your records. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  

Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Houston – Jul 26-27, 2018 – Norris Conference Center - CityCentre
Conference Concluded
Buy
Houston
Last day for Individual early registration: Jul 18, 2018

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for Group (5 registrants minimum) early registration: Jul 18, 2018

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for Group (10 registrants minimum) early registration: Jul 18, 2018

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Jul 20, 2018

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Jul 23, 2018

Venue

speaker

Norris Conference Center - CityCentre

816 Town and Country Blvd. Suite 210
Houston, TX 77024
713.590.0950
Map

Parking Information

Complimentary garage parking

Nearby Hotel Accommodations
speaker

Hotel Sorella CityCentre

800 Sorella Ct.
Houston, TX 77024-1488
713-973-1600
855-596-3397 (reservations)
Map

Accommodations

A limited amount of rooms are available at a room rate of $159 per night. This rate will be available through July 3rd, or until the room block is sold out, whichever comes first. Please mention this conference when you make a reservation over the phone or you can use the following link to book your room online: UT Consumer Bankruptcy. 

 

speaker

Four Points by Sheraton Houston - CityCentre

10655 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77024
281-501-4600
866-716-8133 (reservations)

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