8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Registration and Breakfast
8:35 AM – 8:45 AM
Opening Remarks
Speaker: TBD
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM
Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors
This panel will provide a practical overview of Florida Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors (ABCs) under Chapter 727, including when an ABC may serve as a cost-effective alternative to bankruptcy for winding down an insolvent business. Panelists will discuss the lifecycle of an ABC, from initiation and case administration to litigation, asset sales, and claims distribution, while highlighting key strategic considerations, pitfalls, and practice tips for practitioners.
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
South Florida Consumer Bankruptcy Roundup
Join familiar faces with a few cases or scenarios you may be unfamiliar with. Our two chapter 13 trustees — joined by seasoned debtor attorney and creditor attorney — will discuss recent case law and procedural developments (including imminent updates to district local rules). The group will also discuss nuances of the automatic stay, the impact of artificial intelligence trickling into chapter 13 cases, and other topics impacting South Florida consumer bankruptcy.
Speakers: Seth Greenhill, Supervising Attorney – Bankruptcy Operations, Padgett Law
Nancy Neidich, Miami Division, Chapter 13 Trustee
Robin Weiner, Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm Divisions, Chapter 13 Trustee
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Chapter 7 Practice
This panel will bring together a Chapter 7 trustee, debtor’s counsel, and creditor’s counsel to discuss practical insights into Chapter 7 bankruptcy practice from multiple perspectives. Panelists will share recent developments, common issues that arise in Chapter 7 cases, and strategic practice pointers to help practitioners effectively navigate the process for debtors, creditors, and trustees.
Speakers: Scott N. Brown, Partner, Bast Amron and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Practice in the Southern District of Florida from the Perspective of the Clerk of Court and Courtroom Deputies
Updates on statistics, budget, space and facilities, court operations, recent administrative orders, common e-filing deficiencies, and clerk’s office initiatives. A courtroom deputy panel will also review calendaring tips, submission of proposed orders, and digital-audio recording pointers.
Speaker: Joe Falzone, Clerk of Court and Courtroom Deputies, United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida
1:30 PM – 2:35 PM
Emerging Ethics Issues
The practice of law is complicated enough. This includes the requirement that we stay vigilant and comply with the rules of ethics. Among the issues to be discussed are our duties to the court, our clients and opposing counsel. This includes the use of artificial intelligence. Join in the discussion of these and other emerging ethical issues.
Speakers: Anthony Alfieri, Professor of Law; Michael R. Klein Distinguished Scholar Chair, University of Miami School of Law
Andrew Dawson, Vice Dean; Professor of Law; Judge A. Jay Cristol Professor of Bankruptcy Law, University of Miami School of Law
Jessie Tamayo, Lecturer in Law, University of Miami School of Law
2:30 – 4:00 PM
Bankruptcy Judges’ View from the Bench — Panel Discussion
This panel will discuss emerging issues in consumer bankruptcy and feature United States Bankruptcy Court Judges from the state of Florida.
Speakers: The Hon. Scott M. Grossman, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
The Hon. Erik Kimball, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
The Hon. Corali Lopez-Castro, JD ’90, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
The Hon. Robert A. Mark, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
The Hon. Mindy A. Mora, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
The Hon. Laurel M. Isicoff, JD ’82, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
The Hon. Peter Russin, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
Moderated by: Patricia A. Redmond, Esq., JD ’79,
Director, The Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic
4:00 – 4:05 PM
Closing Remarks
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Celebration in honor of the Honorable Laurel M. Isicoff
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
Gail Serota Reading Room, Law Library
