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Austin – Four Seasons Hotel – Nov 15*, 16-17, 2023
*Wednesday Evening John C. Akard Lecture

Live Webcast – Nov 15-17, 2023

Now in its 42nd year, UT Law CLE's Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics, and practitioners. This year’s day and a half conference provides an in-depth focus on current topics in business and consumer bankruptcy.   Program highlights: The perennial favorite Recent Developments will have two sessions: Professor Jay L. Westbrook will lead the opening session to discuss the year’s most important cases, and then Thursday afternoon, Debbie Langehennig leads a panel for a deeper dive into recent business and consumer cases. Two sessions on Subchapter V that will provide an overview of today’s relevant hot topics and cases along with a thorough discussion of what’s new and what is yet to come that may impact your practice in this area. Select from Friday morning concurrent tracks: Business Track including Appeals of Bankruptcy Sales and Other Appellate Issues: A review of the latest bankruptcy appellate decisions, including MOAC Mall Holdings LLC v. Transform Holdco LLC and its anticipated effect on the finality of sale orders. Consumer Track including Student Loan Litigation: Easier than You Think: “Student loans are not dischargeable in bankruptcy.” That’s the prevailing view…but it’s entirely wrong. This panel examines recent developments in student loan law and discusses how bankruptcy attorneys can help clients eliminate their student loan debt. Multiple opportunities to network including the Thursday Evening Networking Reception and Wednesday Evening Akard Lecture and Reception. Join us Wednesday evening for the John C. Akard Distinguished Lectureship on Coerced Debt: New Data on Debt and Domestic Violence delivered by Professor Angela Littwin, The University of Texas School of Law, with commentary by Teresa A. Sullivan, University of Virginia. Professor Littwin presents brand-new data from her National Science Foundation study of coerced debt, which occurs when the batterer in an abusive relationship uses fraud or coercion to incur debt in his partner’s name. New findings will include the eligibility of participants’ coerced debts for relief under bankruptcy and other debtor-creditor law as well as the effect of coerced debt on participants’ credit scores. If you are attending the Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference on Thursday and Friday, you may RSVP for the Wednesday evening Akard lecture when registering for the conference. If you would like to attend the Wednesday evening Akard Lecture, live at the Four Seasons Austin, but are not planning to register for the Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference, please complete the registration form online.

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 12.00 | 2.25 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specializations:
    Bankruptcy Law, Consumer Law
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Austin – Austin Marriott Downtown – Nov 17-18, 2022

Webcast – Nov 17-18, 2022

Now in its 41st year UT Law CLE's Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics, and practitioners. This year’s conference will be a day and a half and provides an in-depth focus on current topics in business and consumer bankruptcy. Program highlights: The perennial favorite Recent Developments will have two sessions: Professor Jay L. Westbrook will lead the opening session to discuss the year’s most important cases, and then Thursday afternoon, Debbie Langehennig leads a panel for a deeper dive into recent business and consumer cases. An overview of strategies implementing the Texas Two Step in recent mass tort cases and a debate on whether it is a proper process for resolving bankruptcy mass tort cases. Too Many Hats in the Ethical Ring: When Insiders, Affiliates, Friends, and Family Show Up All Over a Restructuring Thursday DEI luncheon session with a special focus on the E and I in bankruptcy practice. Friday morning opens with the perspective of new and not so new judges with the annual Judges Panel. Select from Friday morning concurrent tracks: Business Track includes insight on the latest trends in Chapter 11 plans; intersection of federal energy policy and the bankruptcy code; hot topics in healthcare; and examining the role of the independent director in Chapter 11. Consumer Track includes issues in digital assets, NFTs, and cash apps; changes to rule 3002.1; student loan updates, and conversions from 13 to 7 and avoiding malpractice. Gain insight on bankruptcy alternatives; privacy and sealing; subchapter V for small and not so small business; and much more. Also, enjoy interacting and networking with judges, trustees, and practitioners at Thursday Evening’s Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Reception!

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 11.25 | 2.25 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specializations:
    Bankruptcy Law, Consumer Law
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Austin – Fairmont Austin – Nov 17-19, 2021

Live Webcast – Nov 17-19, 2021

UT Law CLE's Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference is celebrating 40 years as one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics, and practitioners. It also provides an in-depth focus on current topics in business and consumer bankruptcy. Program highlights: The perennial favorite Recent Developments will have two sessions: Professor Jay L. Westbrook will lead the opening session to discuss the year’s most important cases, and then Friday afternoon, Debbie Langehennig leads a panel for a deeper dive into recent business and consumer cases. Select from Thursday afternoon concurrent tracks: Business Track includes insight on contracting issues with midstream agreements; liability management issues in COVID Chapter 11 DIP; Chapter 11 plan protections and third-party releases; and redesigning disclosure statements. Consumer Track includes issues regarding the means test; CARES Act and other tips for debtor representation, including moratorium and forbearance; and a discussion of judicial estoppel and recent cases. Overview of the Texas electricity industry, Winter Storm Uri’s operational and financial impact on the key segments of the market, the Texas legislature’s response, and the subsequent bankruptcy and litigation fallout. Preliminary Findings from National Science Foundation Study on Debt & Domestic Violence. Helpful tips and reminders to avoid ethical pitfalls in auctions, virtual mediations, and committee meetings in Look Before You Leap. Gain insight on the proposed Consumer Bankruptcy Reform Act, SBRA and sub chapter V; the use of market evidence to refute or establish insolvency in fraudulent conveyance cases; claim objections; and much more. Also, enjoy interacting and networking with judges, trustees, and practitioners at Thursday Evening’s Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Reception and be sure to join us for a special 40th Anniversary Celebration on Friday afternoon! The John C. Akard Distinguished Lectureship on Wednesday evening will be delivered by John A. E. Pottow. Pottow, the John Philip Dawson Collegiate Professor of Law, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of commercial law. His award-winning scholarship concentrates on the issues involved in the regulation of cross-border insolvencies as well as consumer financial distress, and his extensive public service work focuses on international trade and pro bono representation of bankrupt debtors. If you wish to attend the Akard Lecture, Live at the Fairmont Austin, but are not attending the Westbrook Conference please complete the registration form online. If you are attending the Westbrook Conference you may you may RSVP for the Akard lecture when registering for the conference.

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 12.75 | 2.25 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specializations:
    Bankruptcy Law, Consumer Law
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Live Webcast – Nov 5-6, 2020

UT Law's 39th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics, and practitioners. It also provides an in-depth focus on current topics in business and consumer bankruptcy. This year’s webcast is a new experience and still remains the same high-caliber program, highlights include: Professor Jay L. Westbrook and Debbie Langehennig will again lead two sessions of the perennial favorite Recent Developments. In place of the of business and consumer tracks, we have woven more consumer topics throughout the two days of conference. All registrants will also receive an additional 1.75 hours of accredited prerecorded consumer sessions in “Your Briefcase”. Explore the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 and its implications for both debtors and creditors, including what the CARES Act means for those seeking qualification under the SBRA. Hear Chief Judges Hale, Jones, King, and Rhoades discuss technology and the courtroom before and after COVID-19. Judge Mott explores the real differences between Delaware and Texas with Chief Judge Sontchi and Judge Isgur. Judges Gargotta, Jones, and López weigh in on Vexing Issues in Consumer Cases including internet-based consumer firms, the use of appearance counsel, and more. Examine the requirements for debtors and official committees to retain professionals in bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code and Rules, including recent developments in retention of investment bankers, financial advisors, and Chief Restructuring Officers. Ethics session, Me? Biased? Studying Implicit Bias and How it Affects Your Decisions. Gain insight on complex Chapter 11 cases; retail bankruptcies during a world health crisis; unique challenges of a “free fall” bankruptcy; swapping boards and other management strategies; and much more. This is an online event you do not want to miss!

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 15.50 | 3.75 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specializations:
    Bankruptcy Law, Consumer Law
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BK19 Conference art

Austin – Four Seasons Hotel – Nov 14-15, 2019

UT Law's 38th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics, and practitioners. It also provides an in-depth focus on current topics in business and consumer bankruptcy. Program highlights: This year, the perennial favorite Recent Developments will have two sessions: Professor Jay L. Westbrook will lead the opening session to discuss the year’s most important cases, and then Friday afternoon, Debbie Langehennig leads a panel for an in-depth look at the best and worst of the cases. Select from Thursday afternoon concurrent tracks: Business Track includes discussions on recidivist debtors; modifying labor and retirement obligations in bankruptcy; utilizing and interpreting make whole provisions; rights offerings; and the drivers of the recent turmoil in the retail industry. Consumer Track includes discussions on the ABI Consumer Commission Report; litigation in consumer cases; discharging IRS debt; and practical considerations for consumer attorneys, including creating a debtor’s saving plan, increasing the disbursement from the trustee for attorney fees and ethical considerations. Have a question for the judges? Friday morning, Judges Davis, Isgur, Jernigan and Parker will be ready to answer them! Submit questions in advance to conferenceQA@utcle.org. Explore contemporary discovery techniques that lawyers utilize to keep pace with constantly changing communications in modern society. Gain insight on the use of arbitration in bankruptcy; health care bankruptcies; unique aspects of chapter 11 cases triggered by sexual abuse tort claims; the contours of ethical negotiations, illegal extortion, and bankruptcy bribery; and much more. Also, enjoy interacting and networking with judges, trustees, and practitioners at Thursday Evening’s Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Reception!

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 13.00 | 2.50 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specializations:
    Bankruptcy Law, Consumer Law
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BK18 Conference art

Austin – Four Seasons Hotel – Nov 14*, 15-16, 2018
*Wednesday Evening John C. Akard Lecture

UT Law's 37th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics, and practitioners. It also provides an in-depth focus on current topics in business and consumer bankruptcy. Program highlights: Led by Professor Jay L. Westbrook Recent Developments, the perennial favorite, is back with a panel of distinguished practitioners to discuss this year’s cases. Learn what makes the judges tick as the old guard, Judges Isgur, Parker and Gargotta interview the new guard in the Judicial Spotlight. Hear valuable guidance and explore the ethical issues that lawyers need to be aware of regarding cryptocurrencies and social media use. Select from Thursday afternoon concurrent tracks: Business Track includes discussions on the use of in-house counsel as witnesses; the trends of adequate protection in the use, sale or lease of property of the estate; what tactics or strategies should be considered if Chapter 11 is not the preferred alternative; and recent Chapter 11 plan-related developments including substantive consolidation, “per plan” versus “per debtor” considerations, and third-party releases. Consumer Track includes discussions on Jevic in the consumer context; turnover after In Re Cowan, 849 F. 3rd 943; the latest on the loan modification program proposed for Texas; and how to deal and not deal with exemption issues  pre-bankruptcy. Gain insight on the use of technology in the courtroom; circuit splits; ethical considerations in section 363 sales; how to maximize the potential for a positive mediation outcome; and much more. Also, enjoy interacting and networking with judges, trustees, and practitioners at Thursday Evening’s Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Reception! The John C. Akard Distinguished Lectureship on Wednesday evening will be delivered by Melissa B. Jacoby the Graham Kenan Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jacoby teaches bankruptcy law, contract law, and commercial law, including and especially secured transactions. Jacoby is an elected member of the American Law Institute, the National Bankruptcy Conference, the American College of Bankruptcy, and the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers, and has served as the Robert M. Zinman Scholar for the American Bankruptcy Institute. 

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 13.50 | 3.00 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specialization:
    Bankruptcy Law
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BK17 Conference art

Austin – Four Seasons Hotel – Nov 16-17, 2017

UT Law's 36th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics, and practitioners and provides an in-depth focus on current issues and topics in business and consumer bankruptcy. Program highlights: Listen as Professor Jay L. Westbrook leads a panel of distinguished practitioners to discuss this year’s cases in the perennial favorite, Recent Developments. A Peek Under the Robes: Judicial Panel, moderated by Judge H. Christopher Mott offers a unique showdown between Bankruptcy Judges and their trusty Law Clerks. Hear the latest on bankruptcies in the real estate, healthcare, and retail industries. Select from Thursday afternoon concurrent tracks: Business Track includes discussions on the rise of equity committees; the briefing, arguments, and implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s consideration (and perhaps decision) of the scope of the Section 546(e) safe harbor in Merit Management Group v. FTI Consulting; what steps a company should and should not take prior to a bankruptcy filing; implications of Jevic on business bankruptcy cases; and practice tips to avoid pitfalls in post-confirmation subject matter jurisdiction. Consumer Track includes discussions on dischargeability of taxes in Chapter 7 and 13 cases; Community Property, Divorce and Bankruptcy—What Could Possibly go Wrong; How to Make the Trustee Happy and Keep Your Client out of Trouble; Espinosa Update and Other Post-Confirmation Chapter 13 Matters. Gain insight on Jevic; student loans; SCOTUS judicial decision making; formulating, confirming and implementing complex plans; trail advocacy for bankruptcy practitioners; and much more. Also, enjoy interacting and networking with judges, trustees, and practitioners at Thursday Evening’s Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Reception!

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 13.50 | 3.25 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specialization:
    Bankruptcy Law
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BK16 Conference art

Austin – Four Seasons Hotel – Nov 16*, 17-18, 2016
*Wednesday Evening John C. Akard Lecture

UT Law's outstanding 35th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics, and practitioners and provides an in-depth focus on current issues and topics in business and consumer bankruptcy. Program highlights include: Professor Jay L. Westbrook leads a panel of distinguished practitioners to discuss this year’s cases in the perennial favorite, Recent Developments Thursday afternoon concurrent tracks Business Track includes a discussion on the Sabine Bankruptcy decision, with Professor Owen Anderson and Judge David R. Jones, a look at the “impossibility” of third party releases in the Fifth Circuit, recent developments in Chapter 9, with Judge Christopher Klein and Sonia Colón, and Judge Craig Gargotta and Ashley Gargour present on Bankruptcy Remoteness; Consumer Track includes discussions on The Early Innings: Vesting and Surrendering Real Property, with Judge Eugene Wedoff and Tara Twomey, Ethical Issues for Debtor’s Counsel, Chapter 13 Pitfalls and Traps—Things to Watch Out For, with Ch. 13 Trustee, Pamela Bassel and Ravi Ratnala, and Judge Eduardo V. Rodriguez and Michael Baumer speak about Losing Your Exemption. Judge Keith Lundin, delivers the Friday luncheon presentation, Trustee Duties and Liability Learn about bankruptcy in the Oil and Gas field, with presentations on Wildcatter 101—Oil and Gas Basics for Bankruptcy Professionals, Oil and Gas Environmental Concerns and Issues and Six Numbers to Remember—7, 11, 18, 22, 29, and 363: Oil and Gas Bankruptcy Exit Strategies and Realities Judge Jeff Bohm, Judge Tony M. Davis and Patricia Baron Tomasco, explore the re-characterization and subordination of equity jurisprudence and its limits present in Where Have all The Equities Gone? Interact and network with judges, trustees, and practitioners at Thursday Evening’s Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Reception The John C. Akard Distinguished Lectureship on Wednesday evening will be delivered by Dr. Janis Sarra, Presidential Distinguished Professor, University of British Columbia and Professor of Law, Peter Allard School of Law. Dr. Sarra is a globally recognized expert in insolvency and bankruptcy law, corporate finance, corporate governance, and securities law. Dr. Sarra speaks on The Horatio Alger Narrative and the Bankruptcy of Entrepreneurs.  

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 13.00 | 2.25 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specialization:
    Bankruptcy Law
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BK15 Conference art

Austin – Four Seasons Hotel – Nov 11*, 12-13, 2015
*Wednesday Evening John C. Akard Lecture

UT Law's outstanding Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference, now in its 34th year, is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. This conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics and practitioners and provides an in-depth focus on current issues and topics in business and consumer bankruptcy. Program highlights include: Professor Jay L. Westbrook leads a panel of distinguished practitioners to discuss this year’s cases in the perennial favorite, Recent Developments Judge H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale, moderates discussion with new bankruptcy judges within the Fifth Circuit—Judge Clifton R. Jessup, Jr., Judge John Kolwe, Judge Mark X. Mullin, and Judge Eduardo V. Rodriquez—as they share their experiences and first impressions from their short time on the bench Thursday afternoon concurrent tracks—the Business Track includes tips on how to adjust your practice in seeking compensation post-Woerner and post-ASARCO, as well as recent developments in cross-border sales, structured dismissals and fraudulent transfer law; the Consumer Track provides an analysis of this year’s best, worst and most useful decisions affecting Chapters 7 and 13, along with practical advice for plan confirmation in sections 1322 and 1325, and the opportunity to learn about the current developments, open issues and best practices in the complex and very important area of exemptions Judge Bruce A. Markell, Northwestern University School of Law, examines three significant bankruptcy opinions, Wellness, Caulkett, and Bullard Learn about bankruptcy and insolvency in the Oil and Gas field, with presentations on Exploration and Production Companies vs. Service Companies, Oil and Gas Valuation Dislocation, and The ABC’s of Financing Oil and Gas Transactions Professor Michael W. Brandl, The Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University, provides an economist's insight on the current state and the future of both domestic and international lending and debt markets Interact and network with judges, trustees and practitioners at Thursday Evening’s Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Reception The John C. Akard Distinguished Lectureship on Wednesday evening will be delivered by Edward (Ted) Janger, the David M. Barse Professor at Brooklyn Law School. He has published in the areas of bankruptcy law, commercial law and data privacy in many of the leading law reviews. Professor Janger speaks on Realization, Option Value and Governance in Chapter 11.  

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 12.50 | 2.00 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specialization:
    Bankruptcy Law
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BK14 Conference art

Austin – Four Seasons Hotel – Nov 20-21, 2014

UT Law's outstanding Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference, now in its 33rd year, is one of the premier bankruptcy programs in the nation. The conference attracts a stellar national faculty of prominent judges, academics and practitioners and provides an in-depth focus on current issues and topics in business and consumer bankruptcy.   Key reasons to attend: Professor Jay L. Westbrook leads a panel of distinguished practitioners to discuss this year’s cases in the perennial favorite, Recent Developments Gain insight from Judge Joseph J. Farnan Jr., Farnan LLP, Wilmington, DE, Rafael Ali Stone, General Counsel of the Houston Rockets, and William K. Snyder, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, into the reasons professional sports teams and sports media file for bankruptcy protection Thursday afternoon concurrent tracks—Business Track includes an analysis of healthcare providers, corporate affiliates, and law firm insolvencies and bankruptcies, as well as restructurings in the renewable energy industry; the Consumer Track provides an introduction to Chapter 12, an update on current issues in Chapter 13, a look at IRS tax debts and discharge in bankruptcy, and more Donald S. Bernstein, Davis Polk & Wardell LLP, New York, NY, addresses the issues and topics, including some of the most difficult questions to be answered, that are under consideration in the forthcoming ABI Chapter 11 Reform Commission report Hear coverage of recent cases in bankruptcy law including Clark v. Rameker, Law v. Siegel, Stern v. Marshall and Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison in Supreme Court Update Learn how parties and Congress are nibbling away at protections and provisions of the Bankruptcy Code Angela Litwin, The University of Texas School of Law, discusses recent developments in student loans—a fast-moving and important part of the bankruptcy world Interact and network with judges, trustees and practitioners at Thursday Evening’s Jay L. Westbrook Conference Reception

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 13.00 | 2.50 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • Specialization:
    Bankruptcy Law
Buy