University of Texas School of Law
Conference art Artwork Info
14th Annual
Consumer Bankruptcy Practice
Houston Jul 26-27, 2018 Norris Conference Center - CityCentre
$575 Individual  |  $625 after Jul 18
Register
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
Houston Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Houston Association of Young Bankruptcy Lawyers

UT Law CLE

2018 Consumer Bankruptcy Practice

Program Features
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.

UT Law CLE

2018 Consumer Bankruptcy Practice

6/23/18
Schedule

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
Panelists:
Layla D. Milligan, Office of Deborah B. Langehennig, Chapter 13 Trustee - Austin, TX
Cristina Rodriguez, Keeling Law Firm - Houston, TX
Behrooz P. Vida, The Vida Law Firm - Bedford, 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.

Friday Morning, July 27, 2018

Presiding Officer:
Hon. Brenda T. Rhoades, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas - Plano, 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. Brenda T. Rhoades, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas - Plano, 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, Stone Curtis PLLC - 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

UT Law CLE

2018 Consumer Bankruptcy Practice

Faculty

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
Stone Curtis PLLC
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
Hon. Brenda T. Rhoades
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas
Plano, 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
Behrooz P. Vida
The Vida Law Firm
Bedford, TX
Stephen G. Wilcox
Wilcox Law PLLC
Arlington, TX
Robert Yaquinto Jr.
Sherman & Yaquinto
Dallas, TX

Planning Committee

Hon. Eduardo V. Rodriguez—Co-Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
McAllen, TX
Hon. Douglas D. Dodd—Co-Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, LA
Hon. Jeffrey P. Norman—Co-Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Houston, TX
Hon. Craig A. Gargotta—Co-Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
San Antonio, TX
Hon. Tony M. Davis—Co-Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
Austin, TX
Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale—Co-Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
Dallas, TX
Hon. Brenda T. Rhoades—Co-Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas
Plano, TX
Hon. Marvin Isgur—Co-Chair
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Houston, 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

UT Law CLE

2018 Consumer Bankruptcy Practice

Credit Information

MCLE Credit

Texas
13.00 hrs  |  2.25 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Bankruptcy Law, Consumer Law
Additional Information
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.  
California
13.00 hrs  |  2.25 hrs Ethics
Additional Information
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.  
Louisiana – Expected
13.00 hrs  |  2.25 hrs Ethics
Additional Information
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.
Oklahoma
15.50 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
Additional Information
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.
Other States
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

National Accounting CPE
15.50 hrs
Additional Information
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.
TX Accounting CPE
15.50 hrs
Additional Information
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.  

UT Law CLE

2018 Consumer Bankruptcy Practice

Key Dates

Houston

  • Last day for Individual early registration: Jul 18, 2018
    Add $50 for registrations received after this time
  • Last day for cancellation (full refund): Jul 20, 2018
  • Last day for cancellation (partial refund): Jul 23, 2018
    $50 processing fee applied

UT Law CLE

2018 Consumer Bankruptcy Practice

Hotel / Venue