Bankruptcy Basics: From the Debtor's Perspective
Presented by the ISBA Commercial, Banking, and
Bankruptcy Section
4.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour approved Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit
Original Program Date: October 20, 2022
Accreditation Expiration Date: November 19, 2024 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)
Join us online for this introductory look at bankruptcy from the debtor’s perspective. Bankruptcy lawyers, new attorneys, and general practitioners with basic practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand:
- How to determine which chapter bankruptcy your client needs;
- How to use free and third party sources to search for assets and liens;
- The documents you will need for the Chapter 13 Trustee;
- What to expect at the 341 Meeting;
- The Trustee’s role in a bankruptcy;
- The ethical issues to be aware of (and pitfalls to avoid); and
- Much more.
Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Julia J. Smolka, Robbins DiMonte, Ltd., Park Ridge
The Clients and Client Intake Basics
This segment prepares you for the initial client meeting and shows you how to determine which chapter bankruptcy your client will need. Learn how to search for assets and liens from free and third party sources, how to navigate traps with the client, and what documents you will need to prepare the petition and schedules. Fee agreements and the necessary disclosures for each chapter in bankruptcy are also discussed.
Julia J. Smolka, Robbins DiMonte, Ltd., Park Ridge
Chapter 13: All the Details and How to Get a plan Confirmed
This presentation prepares you for all the nuances of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, including the additional documents you will need for the Trustee, what additional information you will need to prepare a plan, Cram Down, lien stripping, and other Chapter 13 issues.
James J. Haller, Haller Law Offices, Mundeline
The Case Trustee: preparing for the 341 Meeting for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Cases
Learn what to expect at the 341 Meeting, including what to provide the trustee, what the trustee’s role is in the bankruptcy, the occasional issues on exemptions, and motions to abandon.
Cindy M. Johnson, Johnson Legal Group LLC, Chicago
Glenn Stearns, Chapter 13 Trustee, Lisle
Ethical Pitfalls in Bankruptcy*
Discover the ethical issues you need to be aware of with this informative segment. Topics include: how to spot issues with your clients; how to determine if your client is lying; and the pitfalls to avoid when papering the file, retention agreements, fee splitting, and billing your client. A discussion on what the U.S. Trustee’s Office looks for in bankruptcy fraud with the debtors, as well as the missteps attorneys are making or allowing their client to make is also included. Bifurcated fee agreements are also discussed.
Jeffrey L. Gansberg, Office of the U.S. Trustee, Chicago
Julia J. Smolka, Robbins DiMonte, Ltd., Park Ridge
Pricing Information
- Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
- ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
- Fees:
- ISBA Member Price of $120 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
- Non-Member Price $200
- New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
- Law Students - Free
