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

Express Talks I

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

TBA

Deadlines Matter!—Important Considerations under the Code and Rules:
This presentation provides a comprehensive review of deadlines in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, with a focus on the consequences of missing them and the available avenues for relief. The session is designed for Chapter 7 trustees and bankruptcy attorneys who regularly encounter deadline-driven practice issues. The presentation covers the legal standards governing deadline extensions, the critical distinction between jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional deadlines, and practical guidance for trustees administering Chapter 7 estates.

Default Judgements:
Some lawyers think they are entitled to a judgment or order simply because the opposing party failed to answer or respond. But not so fast! This session will discuss how to properly plead a complaint and how to properly serve it to set you up for taking a default judgment in the event of no response, plus discuss the process of obtaining a default judgment.

Speakers

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 →

Kevin Sink

Managing Partner, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC

Kevin focuses his practice on bankruptcy and reorganization matters, receivership, commercial transactions, real estate and business litigation. He is certified as a Business Bankruptcy Law Specialist by the North Carolina State Bar and is a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee for the Eastern... Read More →

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

Chapter 7 Track Trustee Assistant Track

4:15pm EDT

Express Talks II

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

TBA

Audit/Forms
This session will provide you with best practices to implement to assist in preparing for outside audits and field exams; how to navigate what the audits/field exams cover; and how these practices will ultimately lead to preparing error free TIRs.

Mass Tort Claims in Chapter 7: Considerations for Trustees
Mass Tort claims of Debtors are appearing more frequently in consumer chapter 7 cases and pose unique ethical and legal challenges to administer. This session will provide a thorough guide for Trustees to follow when deciding whether and how to administer a debtor’s Mass Tort claim.

Speakers

Darlene G. Anderson

Director of Trustee Operations, Robert Furr and Marc Barmat Trustees

Darlene G. Anderson is currently the Director of Trustee Operations for trustees, Robert C. Furr and Marc P. Bamat. She also holds the position of Firm Administrator for the law firm, Furr Cohen PA, where she has worked for the past 31 years. Prior to joining Furr Cohen PA, Ms. Anderson... Read More →

Craig R. Jalbert

Principal, Verdolino & Lowey, P.C.

Craig Jalbert is a principal at Verdolino & Lowey, P.C. located in Foxborough, MA. He is a Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor (CIRA). Craig’s 30+ years of experience are in business development; accounting and consulting services; business advisory services; bankruptcy... Read More →

Donald R. Lassman

Principal, Law Office of Donald R. Lassman

DONALD R. LASSMAN is a sole practitioner in Needham, Massachusetts Don has been on the panel of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees in Massachusetts since 1995 and is a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy.

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

Chapter 7 Track Trustee Assistant 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

Finding, Pursuing, and Collecting On Preferences

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

TBA

In this session will be discussing tips and tricks for finding preferences, whether scheduled or not; making demand and pursuing recovery of the funds; filing an adversary for collection; settlements; and collecting on demand/judgments.

Speakers

Lori L. Grahl

Paralegal, H Jason Gold, Trustee

Lori has worked as paralegal and trustee assistant for Robert H. Waldschmidt, Esq., Nashville, TN since 1985. Mr. Waldschmidt has retired from the trustee practice, but Lori continues to assist him in the wind down of his office. Her duties concentrated on commercial law and bankruptcy... Read More →

Melissa M. Macejko

Attorney/Trustee, Suhar & Macejko, LLC

Melissa M. Macejko is a partner with the law firm of Suhar & Macejko, LLC. She focuses her practice on the areas of bankruptcy, restructuring and insolvency. Melissa represents all of the different constituencies in commercial and consumer cases, including creditors, debtors... Read More →

Andrew W. Suhar

Attorney/Trustee, Suhar & Macejko, LLC

Andrew Suhar has served as a Chapter 7 panel bankruptcy trustee in the Northern District of Ohio since November 1995, and as a Chapter 12 bankruptcy trustee in the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. He attended Kent State University and the University of Akron, School of... Read More →

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

Trustee Assistant Track

9:00am EDT

Protecting & Liquidating Estate Assets

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

TBA

This session will provide practical guidance on identifying, securing, and liquidating estate assets in Chapter 7 cases. Drawing on real-world trustee and counsel perspectives, the panel will address common asset issues, working with professionals, protecting estate property, navigating turnover and enforcement challenges, and maximizing recoveries while minimizing risk to the estate.

Speakers

Ross R. Hartog

Shareholder / Chapter 7 Trustee, Markowitz, Ringel, Trusty & Hartog

Ross Hartog operated and managed commercial shopping center with anchor tenants that included Winn Dixie, Foot Locker, AutoZone, as well as other national and local businesses. Operated and managed 90-unit apartment complex and confirmed a plan of reorganization. Operated and managed... Read More →

Joshua D. Silver

Partner, Markowitz, Ringel, Trusty & Hartog

Throughout his legal career, Joshua has developed extensive experience representing bankruptcy trustees in all facets of estate administration, including the litigation of adversary proceedings, liquidation of assets, objections to claims, preparation of civil and criminal referrals... Read More →

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

Trustee Assistant Track

10:30am EDT

Common Audit Issues and What To Do About Them

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

TBA

Speakers

Steve Bridgett

Bankruptcy Engagement Manager, LLK, LLC

Steve has worked for Jeoffrey L Burtch since 2006 and worked with a former Chapter 7 Trustee for four years prior to 2006. Steve has been a member of NABT since 2002 and served as Trustee’s Assistant Liaison to the Board from 2014 through 2016. He has been active in a number of... Read More →

Lori L. Grahl

Paralegal, H Jason Gold, Trustee

Christy Weiss

NC Certified Paralegal, Davis Hartman Wright

Christy Weiss is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Early American History. She received her paralegal certification from Old Dominion University in April 2001. Prior to her employment with... Read More →

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

Trustee Assistant Track

1:00pm EDT

Handbook and Supplemental Materials Panel

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

TBA

Speakers

Darlene G. Anderson

Director of Trustee Operations, Robert Furr and Marc Barmat Trustees

Chantaal Arnold

Trustee Administrator, Marshack Hays Wood LLP

Chantaal Arnold is a Trustee Assistant in Irvine, California working for Marshack Hays Wood LLP. She is Trustee Assistant to Chapter 7 Trustee Richard A. Marshack, and started training for the position just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. She is also a Trustee Assistant to Subchapter... Read More →

Lawrence Dockery

Legal Assistant, Fava Firm

Lawrence is a Trustee Assistant to Will Fava, who was appointed in the Northern District of Mississippi in 2019 and in the Western District of Tennessee in 2022, but he has been doing bankruptcy debtor work since 2014. Outside of bankruptcy, Lawrence has been a soccer referee since... Read More →

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

Trustee Assistant Track

2:30pm EDT

Learning Labs

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

TBA

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

Trustee Assistant 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

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

Chapter 7 Track Subchapter V Track Trustee Assistant Track

8:00am EDT

Alphabet Soup for Trustees: Stirring up Assets for the Estate

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

TBA

At a time when bankruptcy filings are at a historical low, this panel will discuss how Trustees may be able to find hidden assets or assets that may be overlooked. They will focus on various consumer causes of action, such as the Trustee pursuing Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations, consumer suits, Debt Management Companies, mortgage lender fees, and class actions so that Trustees can maximize recovery for the bankruptcy estate. The panel will discuss practical strategies for finding these potential assets and tips on how to maximize the value of them.

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 →

Sarah L. Fowler

Attorney and Chapter 7 Trustee, Blackwell, Burke, Fowler & Rossow, P.C.

Sarah is an attorney and shareholder at Blackwell, Burke, Fowler & Rossow, P.C. Sarah works with a wide variety of clients ranging from financial institutions and asset purchasers to business debtors, shareholders, small business owners, and chapter 7 and chapter 11 bankruptcy trustees... Read More →

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

Chapter 7 Track Trustee Assistant Track

9:30am EDT

Trustee Assistant Roundtables, Separation of Duties in a Trustee’s Office, Remote assistant best practices, what would you do case issues.

Tuesday August 11, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT

TBA

Separation of Duties in a Trustee’s Office:
Internal controls are strengthened when certain duties are divided among the trustee and employees. What do you do when small staff size precludes segregating duties?

Remote Assistant Best Practices:
Working remotely began with the advent of the internet, ECF and cloud-based software. Trustees and their assistants could work virtually from anywhere. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic and reduced case filings – further warranting the need to work remotely. More and more trustee practices are heading to the “virtual reality” of the use of remote assistants/administrators. This session will help guide assistants that are transitioning to a remote setup or those currently working as a remote assistant. Join us as we cover the best practices of a remote/virtual assistant.

What Would You Do Case Issues:
This interactive roundtable session will explore the question: “What should the Trustee’s office do?” Using three real-world case scenarios, participants will discuss how best to respond to common challenges faced in bankruptcy cases, including a debtor’s repeated failure to comply with court orders, debtor’s counsel routinely failing to appear at §341 meetings, and issues arising in a converted Chapter 11 case.

Speakers

Lawrence Dockery

Legal Assistant, Fava Firm

Lori L. Grahl

Paralegal, H Jason Gold, Trustee

Pam Kraus

Case Administrator/TA/Paralegal, Marshack Hays Wood LLP

Pamela Kraus is a Trustee case administrator and senior paralegal with Marshack Hays Wood LLP. Pam has been a Trustee Case Administrator for Mr. Marshack since 1990, as well as other trustees, and has trained several case administrators over the years. Most recently, Mr. Wood was... Read More →

Tuesday August 11, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
TBA

Trustee Assistant Track