NABT 2026 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

1:00pm EDT

Opening Remarks

Sunday August 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT

TBA

Sunday August 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
TBA

General Chapter 7 Track Subchapter V Track Trustee Assistant Track

1:30pm EDT

The Machines are Here: Train, Tame, and Thrive (AI Panel)

Sunday August 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

TBA

AI is everywhere - do you know how to spot it or use it? Join us for an eye-opening session on how artificial intelligence is reshaping bankruptcy practice for attorneys, debtors, and trustees alike, from the alarming surge in AI-hallucinated case law and fictitious statutes showing up in pro se filings to the discovery opportunities those filings may now unlock. You'll walk away with the practical prompting framework and real-world trustee workflows for using AI at every stage of a case - 341(a) prep, live meeting support, preference/fraudulent transfer analysis, and document drafting to support final reports. Whether you're AI-curious or AI-skeptical, this session gives you the tools to work smarter, protect your cases, and stay one step ahead in an era where surface-level sophistication can fool even experienced practitioners.

Speakers

Hon. Daniel P. Collins

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

John C. Bircher III

Partner, Davis Hartman Wright

John C. Bircher III was born in Columbia, S.C., on September 23, 1970. At the age of eight, he moved with his family to the ancestral dairy farm in Craven County, N.C. He later entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal... Read More →

Lynda T. Bui

Partner, Shulman Bastian Friedman & Bui LLP

Lynda T. Bui is a partner of the Shulman Bastian Friedman & Bui LLP’s bankruptcy department and works in both the Orange County and Riverside offices. Ms. Bui is also a U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee in the Central District of California, having been appointed by the U.S. Trustee in 2010... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
TBA

Chapter 7 Track Subchapter V Track Trustee Assistant Track

3:00pm EDT

Post-Confirmation Oversight

Sunday August 9, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

TBA

Clarifying what role trustees have (or should have) in monitoring debtor compliance with confirmed plans and what tools are available.

Speakers

Michael G. Abelow

Member, Sherrard, Roe, Voigt & Harbison PLC

The seeds of Mike Abelow’s success as a trial lawyer were planted early. As a formidable high school debater and strategy game enthusiast, Mike made compelling arguments and anticipated opponents’ moves and countermoves long before he took those same skills into the courtroom... Read More →

Stephen Metz

Principal, Offit Kurman, P.A.

Steve Metz concentrates his practice in litigation involving bankruptcy, creditors' rights, title disputes and real estate. He frequently represents debtors, creditors and other parties in all types of bankruptcy cases and is admitted to practice in Mayland, Virginia and the District... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
TBA

Subchapter V Track

4:15pm EDT

*Ethical Consideration for Subchapter V Trustees: Neutrality, Conflicts, and Communication with Creditors

Sunday August 9, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

TBA

A practical and interactive session on ethical dilemmas subchapter V trustees face and how to navigate them while preserving impartiality.

Speakers

Hon. John W. Kolwe

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

John W. Kolwe was appointed United States Bankruptcy Judge by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, effective August 12, 2015. He was sworn in by Bankruptcy Judge Robert R. Summerhays and served in the Alexandria and Monroe Divisions of the Western District of... Read More →

Frederick L. "Fred" Bunol

Member, The Derbes Law Firm, LLC

Mr. Bunol is a member of The Derbes Law Firm, LLC in Metairie, Louisiana. He graduated with a B.S. in Finance from LSU in 2000 and obtained his J.D. from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert School of Law in 2004. In his bankruptcy practice, Mr. Bunol represents businesses and... Read More →

Patricia B. Fugee

Partner & Chair, FisherBroyles LLP

Patricia B. Fugée, a graduate of Rutgers Law School in Camden, NJ, is a partner with the national law firm of FisherBroyles LLP and is based in its Ohio offices. Admitted in Ohio, Michigan, New York, New Jersey and Illinois, Ms. Fugée focuses her practice on commercial bankruptcy... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
TBA

Subchapter V Track

6:00pm EDT

President's Circle Reception sponsored by International Sureties (by invitation only)

Sunday August 9, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

TBA

Sunday August 9, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
TBA

Networking-Social Chapter 7 Track Subchapter V Track Trustee Assistant Track

7:30am EDT

Merchant Cash Advance Lenders: Usury, Fraud, and Plan Treatment

Monday August 10, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EDT

TBA

Examining how bankruptcy courts are scrutinizing MCA lender claims, including enforceability of confessions of judgment, interest rate challenges, and classification and treatment under plans.

Speakers

Joseph P. Briggett

Shareholder, Baker Donelson

Mr. Briggett focuses his practice on bankruptcy and workout law, along with a diverse commercial practice that spans various areas, including bankruptcy and restructuring, creditors' rights, commercial litigation, transactions, loan documentation, and corporate law.

With a keen focus on bankruptcy matters, Mr. Briggett adeptly represents parties in pre-bankruptcy negotiations, state court insolvency proceedings, commercial foreclosures, and adversary proceedings. Beyond litigation and bankruptcy, he assists clients in resolving debtor/creditor... Read More →

James E. Cross

Owner, Cross Law Firm, PLC

James "Jim" Cross moved to the Phoenix area in 1980 after honorably serving his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard. Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business from The Ohio State University in 1980, graduating... Read More →

Monday August 10, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EDT
TBA

Subchapter V Track

9:00am EDT

Subchapter V Case Law Update

Monday August 10, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

TBA

A panel reviewing the most influential subchapter V opinions over the past year with an emphasis on splits, trends, and trustee impact.

Speakers

Hon. Elizabeth L. Gunn

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

Brittany B. Falabella

Attorney/Chapter 7 Trustee, Hirschler Fleischer, P.C.

Britt Falabella is a partner in Hirschler’s litigation group, where her practice focuses on bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditor’s rights. She represents multiple players in the bankruptcy process, including individual and corporate debtors, secured and unsecured creditors... Read More →

Michael L. Martinez

Member, Grier Wright Martinez PA

Michael L. Martinez is a member of Grier Wright Martinez, PA in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a Certified Specialist in Business Bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification and the North Carolina State Bar, commonly representing federal equity receivers, state court receivers... Read More →

Monday August 10, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
TBA

Subchapter V Track

10:30am EDT

Judges Panel

Monday August 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

TBA

This panel of bankruptcy judges will discuss emerging issues, best practices, pitfalls to avoid, and how trustees can best assist the court and the parties in Subchapter V cases.

Speakers

Hon. Heather Z. Cooper

Chief Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

Heather Z. Cooper, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Vermont was appointed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on March 14, 2022. Judge Cooper received her J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law, magna cum laude, in... Read More →

Hon. John W. Kolwe

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

Hon. James J. Tancredi

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

James Tancredi was appointed to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and took the oath of office on September 1, 2016. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner at the law firm of Day Pitney, LLP (f/k/a... Read More →

Ryan J. Richmond

Partner, Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC

Ryan is a partner at the New Orleans, LA-based law firm of Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC where he leads the firm's bankruptcy section. He is also the current chairman of the bankruptcy section of the Baton Rouge Bar Association.

Ryan earned his JD from LSU in 2006. He also ear... Read More →

Monday August 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
TBA

Subchapter V Track

1:00pm EDT

Accounting for Subchapter V Trustees

Monday August 10, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

TBA

Monday August 10, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
TBA

Subchapter V Track

2:30pm EDT

Voting, Cramdown, and the Consensual Plan: Strategies to Encourage Plan Confirmation

Monday August 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

TBA

The chapter 11 practitioners on the panel will provide an overview of strategies to successfully confirm a subchapter V plan. Their presentation will include an in-depth analysis of section 1191 of the Bankruptcy Code. They will discuss voting requirements (including dealing with non-voting classes), confirmation hurdles and cram down procedures. The panelists will also discuss specific tips on achieving a consensual plan including proper utilization of the subchapter V trustee to facilitate confirmation.

Speakers

Peter Barrett

Partner, Kutak Rock LLP

Peter J. Barrett, a partner in Kutak Rock’s Richmond, Virginia office, concentrates his practice on financial restructuring matters. Mr. Barrett represents unsecured and secured creditors, trustees, equity holders, distressed investors and corporate debtors in insolvency matters... Read More →

John-Patrick M. Fritz

Partner, LEVENE, NEALE, BENDER, YOO & GOLUBCHIK L.L.P.

John-Patrick Fritz is a partner at Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik L.L.P., a Los Angeles-based law firm specializing in bankruptcy and restructuring. He is also a subchapter V trustee and, to date, has been appointed in more than 100 cases. John-Patrick began his bankruptcy... Read More →

Brian Ryniker

Member, RK Consultants

Brian Ryniker has extensive experience in matters involving business restructurings, bankruptcy and insolvency, transaction due diligence and accounting and forensic investigations. Mr. Ryniker has been involved in many complex bankruptcies and work-out situations representing unsecured... Read More →

Monday August 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
TBA

Subchapter V Track

4:00pm EDT

Jeopardy Ethics

Monday August 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

TBA

Get ready for an ethics battle worthy of prime time! Judge Norton will lead this Jeopardy style ethics showdown as moderator and resident ethics guru, with Judges Collins and Gunn (“Team Sharks”) facing off against Trustees Bircher and Garrett (“Team Minnows”). If you’ve ever wanted to test both your Jeopardy instincts and ethical judgment, this session is your chance. The game will challenge your knowledge of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the real world ethical duties that arise in bankruptcy practice across a range of practical categories. Expect a lively, fast paced learning and challenging experience—and walk away with memorable insights you won’t forget long after the buzzer sounds.

Speakers

Hon. Daniel P. Collins

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

Hon. Elizabeth L. Gunn

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

Hon. Cynthia A. Norton

Chief Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

Chief Judge Cynthia A. Norton graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kansas in 1981 with a double major in French and Art History. She received her law degree from the same institution in May 1984. She clerked for the Hon. John E. Rees of the Kansas Court of Appeals, and... Read More →

Monday August 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
TBA

Chapter 7 Track Subchapter V Track Trustee Assistant Track

8:00am EDT

The Subchapter V Trustee’s Various Roles & How Trustees are Shaping Outcomes Beyond Statutory Duties

Tuesday August 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

TBA

This panel will be exploring the prefiling considerations of whether a potential case is fit to file under Subchapter V and how trustees are shaping outcomes, facilitating settlements, resolving insider disputes, and more. Discussion will begin with the selection of Subchapter V Trustee based on their unique skill sets, along with the necessity for the trustee to be active with early intervention, manage case strategy, and maintain credibility with the Court, before shifting to the trustee’s various other roles in pushing the timeline, cost containment, alternative dispute resolution, realistic financial transparency, and defining and refining feasibility, along with the rare operating trustee.

Speakers

Kara S. Rescia

Partner, Rescia Vaillancourt, P.C

Kara S. Rescia is a principal of Rescia Vaillancourt, P.C. with offices in Enfield, Connecticut and Northampton, Massachusetts, focusing on consumer and business bankruptcy and alternatives and small business representation. She is a 1988 graduate of the University of Southern Maine... Read More →