NABT 2026 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

3:00pm EDT

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

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

Mike is a Chapter 7 Trustee and SubChapter V Trustee. Mike also frequently represents Chapter 11 Debtors. Mike has recently been appointed to serve as a Receiver in a state court real estate development case, and he also represents businesses in non-bankruptcy commercial liti... 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
Grand Ballroom CD

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

Grand Ballroom CD

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

Speakers

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 →

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 →

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

Subchapter V Track

7:30am EDT

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

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

Grand Ballroom CD

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

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 →

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 →

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

Subchapter V Track

9:00am EDT

Subchapter V Case Law Update

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

Grand Ballroom CD

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

Speakers

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 →

Hon. Elizabeth L. Gunn

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

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
Grand Ballroom CD

Subchapter V Track

10:30am EDT

Judges Panel

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

Grand Ballroom CD

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

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 →

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 →

Monday August 10, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom CD

Subchapter V Track

1:00pm EDT

Numbers for Trustees

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

Grand Ballroom CD

Judge Isgur dispels the myth that bankruptcy professionals can’t understand numbers. He provides a short primer on five topics. How an amortization schedule is calculated. Debit and credit basics. Just what balances on balance sheets. Basics of income statements. Integrating balance sheets and income statements into a Sources and Uses of Funds statement. It’s a lively session designed to end your boredom with numbers.

Speakers

Hon. Marvin Isgur

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

Marvin Isgur has been a United States Bankruptcy Judge since February 1, 2004. He was appointed to a second term as a Bankruptcy Judge, which began on February 1, 2018. Chief Justice John Roberts, Jr. appointed Judge Isgur to the Judicial Conference Committee on Court Administration... Read More →

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

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

Grand Ballroom CD

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
Grand Ballroom CD

Subchapter V 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

Grand Ballroom CD

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 →

Hon. James J. Tancredi

Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court

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

Subchapter V Track

9:30am EDT

Small Business Debtors and Financial Reporting: Improving Compliance with Monthly Operating Reports and Projections

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

Grand Ballroom CD

Addressing the common deficiencies in small business reporting and how trustees can help debtors improve transparency.

Speakers

Greta Brouphy

Associate, Heller, Draper, & Horn, L.L.C.

Greta M. Brouphy works primarily in the bankruptcy practice group of the firm and is an appointed chapter 11 subchapter v trustee by the United States, Region 5 Districts of Louisiana and Mississippi and a Panel 7 Trustee for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District... Read More →