14^th Annual

Consumer Bankruptcy Practice

Houston Jul 26-27, 2018 Norris Conference Center - CityCentre
Conference Concluded

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Related products: eConference Materials

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
Houston Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Houston Association of Young Bankruptcy Lawyers

Download Brochure (PDF)

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.

Day 1 July 26, 2018
Day 2 July 27, 2018

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

Day 1 July 26, 2018
Day 2 July 27, 2018

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

Houston

MCLE Credit

Texas – 13.00 hrs | 2.25 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Bankruptcy Law, Consumer Law

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number provided on your certificate of attendance.

California – 13.00 hrs | 2.25 hrs Ethics

You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Louisiana – 13.00 hrs | 2.25 hrs Ethics

At the completion of the conference you must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. 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.

Oklahoma – 15.50 hrs | 2.50 hrs Ethics

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.

Other Credit

National Accounting CPE – 15.50 hrs

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 (UT Law CLE is a provider of NASBA Group-Live credit only, which excludes online offerings.

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

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 are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Houston – Jul 26-27, 2018 – Norris Conference Center - CityCentre

Conference Concluded

Buy

Houston

Individual
Last day for $575.00 Regular pricing: Jul 18, 2018

$625.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $520.00 Regular pricing: Jul 18, 2018

$570.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $460.00 Regular pricing: Jul 18, 2018

$510.00 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

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

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.

Four Points by Sheraton Houston - CityCentre

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

14th Annual

Consumer Bankruptcy Practice

Houston Jul 26-27, 2018 Norris Conference Center - CityCentre Conference Concluded

Buy

Related products: eConference Materials

Overview

Event Schedule

Thursday Morning, July 26, 2018

Thursday Afternoon, July 26, 2018

Friday Morning, July 27, 2018

Friday Afternoon, July 27, 2018

Conference Faculty

Bryan C. Assink

Theodore O. "Thad" Bartholow III

Michael V. Baumer

Hon. Jeff Bohm

Brian T. Cumings

Catherine Stone Curtis

Ryan J. Dove

Carey D. Ebert

Hon. Craig A. Gargotta

Elena Halachian-Kritzer

Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale

Heena Hirani

Henry G. Hobbs Jr.

Jessica L. Holt

Hon. Marvin Isgur

Bill Mateja

Layla D. Milligan

Hon. Jeffrey P. Norman

Théda W. Page

Julianne M. Parker

Mayur M. Patel

David G. Peake

Cristina Rodriguez

Hon. Eduardo V. Rodriguez

Brendon Singh

Susan Tran

John M. Vardeman

Stephen G. Wilcox

Robert Yaquinto Jr.

Planning Committee

Hon. Tony M. Davis—Co-Chair

Hon. Douglas D. Dodd—Co-Chair

Hon. Craig A. Gargotta—Co-Chair

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

Hon. Marvin Isgur—Co-Chair

Hon. Jeffrey P. Norman—Co-Chair

Hon. Brenda T. Rhoades—Co-Chair

Hon. Eduardo V. Rodriguez—Co-Chair

Deborah Salzberg—Director

Diane S. Barron

Michael V. Baumer

Edgar J. Borrego

Allison D. Byman

Mark A. Castillo

Brian T. Cumings

Carey D. Ebert

Layla D. Milligan

Théda W. Page

Julianne M. Parker

Mayur M. Patel

David G. Peake

Cristina Rodriguez

Brendon Singh

Behrooz P. Vida

Stephen G. Wilcox

Sarah Darnell Wood

Credit Info

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

Key Dates

Venue

Norris Conference Center - CityCentre

Parking Information

Nearby Hotel Accommodations

Hotel Sorella CityCentre

Accommodations

Four Points by Sheraton Houston - CityCentre

Stay in the loop with UT Law CLE

14^th Annual

Houston Jul 26-27, 2018 Norris Conference Center - CityCentre
Conference Concluded