Our founder, Martin L. Rogalski attended the 36th Annual Bankruptcy Section Seminar hosted by the Federal Bar Assocation of Michigan from July 26-28, 2004 at the Boyne Highlands Resort in northern Michigan.
He attended a session called “Attorney Lifestyle Challenges” presented by: Greg Ekdahl of Keller & Almassian, Steve Rayman of CBH Attorneys & Counselors, April J. Alleman of the State Bar of Michigan and Honorable Guy R. Humphrey, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Ohio.
The session discussed practical matters for attorneys that are aging, face health issues, are retiring or transitioning to less demanding roles. Other attorneys are just starting out and deciding whether to join a firm or hang out their own shingle. The presenters shared practical and professional advice for these transition times.
Next Mr. Rogalski attended a session titled, “Hot Topics in Avoidance Actions” presented by: Brendan Best of Varnum, Kevin M. Smith of Beadle Smith, Marc N. Swanson of Miller Canfield and Honorable James W. Boyd, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan.
The session delved into current consumer and commercial topics related to avoidance issues such as receiving tuition payments as fraudulent conveyances, derivitive standing, the “reasonable due diligence” requirement and provisions in proposed DIP financing and cash collateral orders.
Rogalski also attended a breakout session titled “If you were the Judge (Consumer)” with presenters David Lerner of Plunkett Cooney and Steve Rayman of CBH Attorneys and Counselors sharing thought provoking scenarios and asking attendees to put themselves in the shoes of the judge asking “What would you do?”.
Another breakout session titled simply “Exemptions” was up next with presenters: Roger J. Bus of Debt Relief Law Center, Emily J. Guwar-Ceric of CBH Attorneys and Counselors, Travis T. Russell of Russell Law Firm and Honorable Scott W. Dales of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan. The panel offered a refresher on exemptions, the role they play in chapter 7 versus chapter 13 cases and delved into some thorny issues such as treatment of tenancies by the entrieties, post-petition appreciation, amendments and other issues.
As a compliment to “If you were a Judge (Consumer)”, Rogalski also attended “If you were a Judge (Commercial)” where David A. Lerner of Plunkett Cooney and Steve Rayman of CBH Attorneys and Counselors held a similar discussion as above.
Finally Rogalski attended “Bankruptcy Law Meets the Criminal Code” presented by: Charles E. “Chip” Chamberlain of Wiley & Chamberlain, Joshua Hechtman of the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office (W.D. Mich.), Michelle Wilson, Clerk of Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan, Honorable John T. Gregg, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan and Honorable Maarten B. Vermaat of the U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan.
The intersection between the Criminal Code and the Bankruptcy Code was discussed, specifically the treatment of restitution awards, secret government liens, bankruptcy-specific crimes, “taking the Fifth”, and the duty to rat! Many war stories were exchanged.
Rogalski enjoyed the conference, appreciated the presenters and organization by the Federal Bar Assocation Western District of Michigan.
